Ohio Stadium has never hosted an outdoor hockey game in its over 100 years of existence.
That is about to change.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to take on the Detroit Red Wings in a 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game at Ohio Stadium on March 1.
Here is what you need to know about the historic game.
The Blue Jackets will take on the Detroit Red Wings at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 1. The stadium doors open at 4 p.m.
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Tickets are available for purchase via ticketmaster.com.
The game’s start time could be delayed or rescheduled due to weather, safety concerns or for any other reason NHL representatives may choose.
If NHL representatives decide to move the game to a different day entirely, it will be on March 2. Tickets for the original March 1 game will still be accepted if the game is rescheduled.
No ticket refunds or exchanges will be permitted if the game is rescheduled, according to the NHL.
Refunds or exchanges from authorized ticket vendors will only be permitted if the game is canceled or altered to prevent some tickets from being used.
The game will be available for viewing on ESPN. It will also hit the radio airwaves on 97.1 The Fan.
Parking lots at Ohio Stadium open at 8 a.m. Saturday. Other lots around the stadium are available for parking as well, with rates starting at $50 and going up to $200.
You can prepurchase parking tickets on OSU’s website.
There will also be day-of-the-game parking available in a number of lots on the west side of OSU’s campus. Parking in these spots start at $30 and can only be purchased via credit card on March 1.
A full parking map is available on OSU’s website..
The Columbus Blue Jackets will wear blue jerseys with the team’s iconic cannon emblazoned on the front.
Alt-rock duo Twenty One Pilots will perform during the game’s first intermission. The Ohio State University Athletic Band will play during the second intermission.
Before the game, OSU-associated band O.A.R. will perform at St. John Arena at 3:15 p.m.
A cannon will boom at Ohio Stadium for the same reason it does at Nationwide Arena: when the Blue Jackets first enter the stadium, when they score a goal and at the end of victory celebrations.
The NHL is having its own version of an OSU Skull Session before the big game. The event, titled the NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally, will feature a concert from O.A.R. and appearances from the Ohio State University Athletic Band and Blue Jackets players.
The event will take place at St. John Arena starting at 2:30 p.m. The Ohio State athletic band will perform starting at 2:30 and O.A.R. will perform at 3:15.
After making an appearance at the pep rally, the Blue Jackets will walk to Ohio Stadium at 3:20 p.m.
The NHL Winter Classic game is an outdoor hockey game played around New Year’s Day. Last year’s game took place on Dec. 31 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
The Stadium Series, meanwhile, normally takes place in February or March.
NHart@dispatch.com
@NathanRHart
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