Winter Classic

The NHL Winter Classic is the league’s flagship outdoor game, played once a season around New Year in a large baseball or football stadium. The first Winter Classic was held on 1 January 2008 in Buffalo, and the 2014 edition at Michigan Stadium drew 105,491 people, still the NHL attendance record. The 2027 Winter Classic is on 31 December 2026 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, where the Utah Mammoth host the Colorado Avalanche.

What it is	One outdoor regular-season game per season
First edition	1 January 2008, Buffalo v Pittsburgh
Next	31 December 2026, Utah v Colorado, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Milestone	Utah becomes the 32nd club to play outdoors
2026 edition	NY Rangers 5, Florida 1, loanDepot Park, Miami
Attendance record	105,491 at Michigan Stadium, 2014
Not the same as	The Stadium Series and the Heritage Classic

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