For the first time in League history, the National Hockey League (NHL) will host outdoor hockey in Florida. Celebrating the explosive growth of hockey in Florida over the last three decades, the League will stage two outdoor games in the Sunshine State during the 2025-26 season starting with the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic featuring the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at loanDepot park, on Jan. 2, 2026.
The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic will mark the first-ever NHL regular-season outdoor game for the Panthers and the sixth for the Rangers, who hold an NHL-best 5-0-0 record in outdoor games. The NHL Winter Classic continues the tradition the League established in 2008 of hosting a regular-season outdoor game at the onset of the new year, with the 2026 edition marking the 17th NHL Winter Classic.