The Florida Panthers will host the NHL's annual Winter Classic outdoor game against the on January 2, 2026, at LoanDepot Park in Miami. This marks a significant moment for the franchise, as it's the first time they'll participate in an outdoor game and reflects the NHL's growing recognition of Florida as a major hockey market.
, trying to win a consecutive title. Sitting inside Amerant Bank Arena no longer feels like an empty and sterile environment, because the Panthers are selling out every home game for the first time in their history.It's also why the NHL finally decided to not only have the Panthers play in an outdoor game , but host the sport's signature event, the Winter Classic , on Jan.
The court of public opinion received its long-awaited verdict in December 2024 when NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at the Board of Governors meeting that the league was finalizing its plans for the Panthers to host an outdoor game.told ESPN on the day Bettman made the announcement."It's obviously really exciting, and I would love that opportunity. I hope it will all work out and we will get that opportunity.
Bettman was asked if the NHL considered an alternate venue such as Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, but said the venue wasn't an option because the Orange Bowl will be played around the same time. One of the trademarks of the Stadium Series and Winter Classic is the themes the NHL uses as part of the game-day environment. Mayer, who oversees the outdoor events, has a team that has come up with ideas such as getting an actual fighter jet on a faux landing area next to the ice surface for the 2020 Stadium Series at the Air Force Academy.
The Heat started in 1988 while the Panthers and Miami Marlins both started playing games in 1993. And while the University of Miami first started playing football in 1926, they didn't win a national title until 1983, while largely playing as an independent program before joining the Big East in 1991.
Caldwell said the team knew they had to win. But they also had to do more than just winning games in order to build something sustainable. "There's not that pressure to win Miami because I think we won them over with our performance and how we treat them when they come to games," Caldwell said.
NHL Florida Panthers Winter Classic Outdoor Game Loandepot Park Hockey
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