You can go ahead and scratch one more franchise off the list of NHL teams that have yet to appear in an outdoor game: the Florida Panthers are going to host the Winter Classic in 2026. The game is scheduled for January 2nd, 2026, and will take place at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. Florida’s opponent will be the New York Rangers, who are set to appear in their sixth outdoor game. This event will be broadcasted by TNT, which has become custom in recent years.
This is a decision that will likely receive criticism because of Miami’s naturally warm climate. But the NHL is no stranger to hosting games in the heat– the ever official outdoor game took place in Las Vegas in 85°F weather between the Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings. And let’s not get too carried away. The average temperature for early January in Miami is around 65°F. It might be a little warm, sure, but the ice is meticulously cared for to ensure that it stays at the ideal 22°F temperature.
South Florida has become a powerhouse over the last few seasons. The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup last season, and made it to the final the year prior. The team is good, and fans are flocking to Amerant Bank Arena. There was once a joke about the Panthers having very few fans. But this has never been true, and the attendance record they set last year proves it.
All this to say: an outdoor game in South Florida is a good thing. Fans will come. The hockey market in South Florida is ever-growing, and hosting the Winter Classic in Miami will only improve it. And don’t worry about TV ratings– game seven of the Stanley Cup Final was the most-watched NHL game across the US in five years. And, really, after views for this year’s Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues hit an all-time low, it’s time to introduce something new.
