A Stanley Cup title. A superstar-laden roster. A packed, boisterous arena. And now, the 2026 Winter Classic. Here's how a hotbed was created.

SUNRISE, Fla. – The National Hockey League announced today that the Discover 2026 NHL Winter Classic will feature the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at loanDepot park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins, on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. TNT will broadcast the 2026 NHL Winter Classic exclusively in the U.S.

The NHL announced Wednesday that the Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Winter Classic, facing the New York Rangers on Jan. 2 at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins. “Our time has come that we deserve an outdoor game,” Panthers president and CEO Matt Caldwell said. “We’re fired up to have it right here locally.”

The Panthers will host the Rangers at loanDepot park on Jan. 2, 2026, and the Lightning will host the Bruins at the Raymond James on Feb. 1.

The New York Rangers are the team rumored to play in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers inside loanDepot Park in Miami.

The NHL announced the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

Multiple sources have confirmed that the Panthers will be hosting the 2026 Winter Classic. It will not be a Stadium Series game, but instead the big kahuna of NHL outdoor games. This will be the 17th Winter Classic, with Florida becoming the 17th different team to participate.

The NHL announced today that the Discover 2026 NHL Winter Classic will feature the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers at loanDepot park, home of Marlins, on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.