Masked players looking like warriors, incredible sceneries (just remember Lake Tahoe) and ice hockey in its natural habitat. Outdoor hockey games are fans' favorites and there are many reasons why.
People in NHL headquarters know these facts very well. That's one of the main reasons why is the number of outdoor games regularly growing. Fans really love annual Winter Classic, there are also more and more Stadium Series games, Heritage Classic also has its place. It's unique celebration of the fastest game on Earth.
We took a look on the best outdoor hockey games in history. Did you know about the ones in Bratislava, Zagreb or Riga?
David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins
NHL Outdoor Games: What Is What
The Heritage Classic, Winter Classic, and Stadium Series are the three main brands that the NHL utilizes for outdoor games. The first-ever outdoor regular season game in NHL history was the 2003 Heritage Classic between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens.
Up until the Buffalo Sabres' debut in the 2022 Heritage Classic, the Heritage Classic has been staged sporadically in Canadian football stadiums and has only ever featured games between Canadian clubs.
Buffalo Sabres (Heritage Classic 2008)
The 2008 matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres marked the start of the annual Winter Classic, which usually takes place on New Year's Day in baseball or football stadiums close to NHL home markets in the United States.
For more outdoor games in the US, the NHL launched the Stadium Series in 2014. There have been four Stadium Series games in 2014, just one in 2015, two in 2016, and one per season after 2017. Prior to the Toronto Maple Leafs' participation in the 2014 Winter Classic and the 2018 Stadium Series, only American clubs faced off in these types of games.
Edmonton Oilers v Montreal Canadiens (Heritage Classic)
The First Attempt: Red Wings' Prison Game
On February 2, 1954, an NHL club made an attempt at the first-ever outdoor game. The Detroit Red Wings and the Marquette Pirates, an athletic team made up of prisoners from Michigan's Marquette Branch Prison, played an exhibition game on an outdoor ice surface in 21 °F (-6 °C) weather.
Red Wings' manager Jack Adams allegedly planned the game and the Pirates club to make amends with two convicted mafia members who were housed at the prison. The Red Wings led the inmates 18–0 by the end of the first quarter alone; scorekeeping was stopped at that point, and the remainder of the game essentially devolved into an unofficial scrimmage.
Red Wings' Prison Game (1954)
The Heritage Classic: When It Officially Started?
First Heritage Classic in NHL history was held in November 2003. Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta housed the impressive victory for the Montreal Canadiens. The Habs beat the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in front of 57,167 people. Before that, there is was one official outdoor hockey game. It wasn't NHL, but CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines (3-3) with more than 74 thousands people in the stands.
Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers)
The First Winter Classic Ever
New Year's Day in 2008 and the first-ever Winter Classic, which has since become an annual tradition. For very understandable reasons, the only seasons in which the event didn't happen were 2013-14 (NHL lockout) and 2020-21 (coronavirus pandemic). What about the first one? Pittsburgh Penguins's captain Sidney Crosby was the main man of the night at Ralph Wilson Stadium, which ordinarily houses the NFL's Buffalo Bills. The Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 in front of 71,217 fans.
First Winter Classic in History
The Biggest Attendance in NHL History
Two teams from The Original Six, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings. 2014 Winter Classic and Michigan Stadium (home of the University of Michigan), also known as a Big House. This game is historic. Not because the Maple Leafs won 3-2 after the shootout. The 2014 game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings set a new NHL attendance record of 105,491 spectators.
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Winter Classic 2014
The Legendary Centennial Classic
On New Year's Day in 2017, the Red Wings and the Maple Leafs played each other at Toronto's multipurpose BMO Field in honor of the NHL's 100th season. Detroit scored comparatively early in the second period following a scoreless first. Anthony Mantha, a rookie winger, scored a spectacular shot past Toronto star Auston Matthews and goalie Frederik Andersen after being set up by Swede legend Henrik Zetterberg and Tomáš Tatar.
Centennial Classic 2017
But in the third, the Leafs really took off. Toronto led 4-1 thanks to goals from four different players. Then Detroit pulled out a spectacular comeback. With 1:46 remaining in regulation, Dylan Larkin grabbed a rebound, and Jonathan Ericsson scored with 6:06 remaining. With only 1.1 seconds remaining on the clock, Anthony Mantha completed the three-goal comeback on a rebound. Then, Auston Matthews scored an overtime winner.
The Unique Centennial Classic
The Unforgettable Lake Tahoe
In February 2021, the NHL held two outdoor games at the stunning Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada, on the shores of Lake Tahoe. These games were part of the NHL’s special events calendar for that season and took place as part of the league's "outdoor series" during the COVID-19 pandemic, with no fans in attendance. The games were notable not just for their beautiful setting, but also for the challenges presented by the unique outdoor location.
Boston Bruins at Lake Tahoe
The two games played were:
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Vegas Golden Knights vs. Colorado Avalanche (February 20, 2021):
This game was originally scheduled for the afternoon but was delayed due to sunlight and ice conditions. It eventually began later in the evening. The Golden Knights won the game 3-2 in overtime, with Max Pacioretty scoring the game-winner. -
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers (February 21, 2021):
The second game had similar challenges with the ice surface, but the Boston Bruins came out on top, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 7-3. Key performances included a standout game from David Pastrňák, who had a hattrick.
Avalanche v Golden Knights at Lake Tahoe
Winter Classic: The Texas Style
The 2020 NHL Winter Classic took place on January 1, 2020, at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. It was the 12th edition of the annual outdoor game, a marquee event in the NHL's regular season, played on New Year's Day.
The Dallas Stars hosted the Nashville Predators in front of a crowd of over 85,000 fans, setting a new record for the largest crowd ever at a Winter Classic game. The game also marked the first time the Winter Classic was played in Texas, bringing outdoor hockey to the southern U.S. for the first time.
Winter Classic 2020
The game itself was a thrilling contest, with the Dallas Stars defeating the Nashville Predators 4-2. The Stars' goals came from players like Corey Perry, Joe Pavelski, and Jamie Benn, while the Predators were unable to overcome the challenge despite strong performances from players like Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg.
The Winter Classic showcased not only the sport of hockey in a beautiful outdoor setting but also the NHL's efforts to grow the game by bringing it to new regions and audiences, with the warm Texas weather providing a unique twist on the traditional winter spectacle.
Winter Classic 2020
2024 Stadium Series: The Hockey Renaissance
The 2024 NHL Stadium Series featured an exciting outdoor matchup between two of the most storied rivals in the league: the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers. The game took place on February 18, 2024, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets. This marked the first time these two teams have faced off in an outdoor game, and the atmosphere was simply electric. The rivalry added an extra layer of intensity to the occasion. The Rangers won 6-5. This game drew 79,690, the third-largest crowd in NHL history.
Stadium Series 2024
NHL Outdoor Games: Interesting Facts
- 29 of the NHL's 32 teams have participated in an outdoor regular season game. the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Florida Panthers, and the Utah Hockey Club have never been selected.
- The Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins are tied for the most appearances (6).
- 18 NHL teams have played more than one game.
- 22 metropolitan areas (out of 29 represented among the NHL's 32 organistions) have hosted outdoor regulation games.
- Massachusetts, New York City and Chicago/Northern Indiana have each hosted three games.
- Heinz Field, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Commonwealth Stadium will have each hosted two games.
Outdoor Hockey is Special
Outdoor Games in Europe
Outdoor games with beautiful sceneries are played in Europe too. The photo below is from Grindelwald, Switzerland. 2009 KHL All-Star Game between Team Jashin and Team Jágr was held at Red Square in Moscow. There were also games in Budapest (Hungary), Gothenburg (Sweden), Zagreb (Croatia), Bratislava (Slovakia), Mexico City (Mexico), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Pardubice (Czech republic), Helsinki (Finland), Grenoble (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Fredrikstad (Norway), Riga (Latvia) and many more. You can find the list of all official outdoor games here, some places will be a big surprise.
Grindelwald, Switzerland
NHL Outdoor Games: The Future
There is no reason why the NHL should abandon outdoor games in the coming seasons. The Winter Classic, the Heritage Classic and the Stadium Series are all hugely popular with fans in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Petr Mrázek with Rezztek (Winter Classic 2025)
As far as the future of NHL outdoor games is concerned, it is expected that their number will increase. The 2025 NHL Winter Classic took place on December 31, 2024, at Historic Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois.
Tyler Bertuzzi with Rezztek (Winter Classic 2025)
The 2025 NHL Winter Classic featured a thrilling outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues on December 31, 2024. This iconic event highlighted the league's tradition of outdoor games. The Blues won 6-2 and dominated their rivals from the Central Division.
Roman Josi with Rezztek during NHL Winter Classic
PHOTO & DATA SOURCES: NBC Sports, GI, X, Hockey Gods, NHL, The New York Times, FB, NHL Wiki
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