The Florida Panthers will host the 2026 NHL Winter Classic against the New York Rangers, while the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in the Stadium Series, the league announced on Wednesday.
The NHL Winter Classic returns this week with a historic edition.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park in Miami.
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It will be the NHL’s first-ever outdoor game played in the state of Florida. And the league will host another game in the Sunshine State on Feb. 2 in a Stadium Series clash between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
While loanDepot park has a retractable roof, the plans are for the ballpark’s roof to be open for opening puck drop between the Rangers and Panthers.
So, from the weather forecast to how to watch the game and much more, here’s everything to know about the Winter Classic:
Rangers-Panthers takes place on Friday, Jan. 2.
loanDepot park, home of MLB‘s Miami Marlins, is the site of the Winter Classic. The venue will have a capacity of 35,300 for the game, according to the NHL.
The outdoor game is set for 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT.
The Winter Classic will air on TNT and truTV.
It will also be available to stream on HBO Max, TNTdrama.com, truTV.com, the TNT app and the truTV app.
The NBC Miami local forecast for Friday projects the temperature to be 65 degrees Fahrenheit at 8 p.m. ET, dropping down to 61 by 11 p.m.
For reference, the warmest temperature for an outdoor NHL game was 65 degrees Fahrenheit in February 2016 when the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field in Denver, according to the NHL.
This will be the Panthers’ first outdoor game in franchise history.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have appeared in five previous outdoor games — and won them all. Here’s a look at New York’s history in outdoor contests, two of which were Winter Classics:
The Winter Classic debuted in January 2008 when the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium, now known as Highmark Stadium, in Orchard Park, New York.
Rangers-Panthers will be the 17th Winter Classic.
The Heritage Classic between the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers in November 2003 was the NHL’s first outdoor game. The Habs defeated the Oilers at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Rangers-Panthers will be the league’s 44th outdoor game.