NHL Sets 2027 Winter Classic: Mammoth vs. Avalanche in Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah - The National Hockey League announced Friday that its 2027 Winter Classic will take place on December 31, 2026, at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus, pitting the host Utah Mammoth against the Colorado Avalanche in an outdoor showdown.

League Commissioner Gary Bettman and Mammoth owner Ryan Smith revealed the date during a joint press conference ahead of Game 3 in the Mammoth's first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center. The game is scheduled for late afternoon or early evening, with portions played under stadium lights as daylight fades. "Some of it'll be under the lights, and we think it'll be very cool," Bettman said.

The announcement builds on an earlier reveal in January, when the NHL confirmed Utah as the Winter Classic host. Smith emphasized the event's role in a broader holiday celebration, describing it as a multiday showcase for the state. Plans include a postgame concert at the Delta Center that evening, though details remain under wraps, along with other activities to draw visitors for skiing and local attractions over the weekend.

"Our hope is that this is a whole weekend, that...