At a Glance
- Florida will host the NHL’s first outdoor game as the Panthers face the Rangers in the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park.
- Game scheduled for Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET, TV on TNT and truTV.
- Weather forecast: mostly sunny, high 73 °F, low 55 °F.
The National Hockey League is turning up the heat in Florida with the 2026 Winter Classic, a historic outdoor matchup between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers at Miami’s loanDepot park. This will be the first time the league plays an outdoor game in the Sunshine State, and the Panthers will be making their outdoor debut.
Game Details
The match will take place on Friday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET. The venue, loanDepot park, will hold 35,300 fans for the event. The game will air on TNT and truTV, and can be streamed on HBO Max, TNTdrama.com, truTV.com, the TNT app, and the truTV app.
Weather & Atmosphere
The NBC Miami forecast calls for a mostly sunny day with a high of 73 °F and a low of 55 °F. The warmest temperature for an outdoor NHL game was 65 °F in February 2016 at Coors Field.
Teams & History
The Panthers are playing their first outdoor game in franchise history. The Rangers have appeared in five previous outdoor contests and have won them all. Their outdoor record includes:
- 2024 Stadium Series vs. Islanders – 6-5 (OT) at MetLife Stadium
- 2018 Winter Classic vs. Sabres – 3-2 (OT) at Citi Field
- 2014 Stadium Series vs. Islanders – 2-1 at Yankee Stadium
- 2014 Stadium Series vs. Devils – 7-3 at Yankee Stadium
- 2012 Winter Classic vs. Flyers – 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park
| Year | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | New York Islanders | MetLife Stadium | 6-5 (OT) |
| 2018 | Buffalo Sabres | Citi Field | 3-2 (OT) |
| 2014 | New York Islanders | Yankee Stadium | 2-1 |
| 2014 | New Jersey Devils | Yankee Stadium | 7-3 |
| 2012 | Philadelphia Flyers | Citizens Bank Park | 3-2 |
Key Takeaways
- Florida will host the NHL’s first outdoor game on Jan. 2 at loanDepot park.
- The Panthers are making their outdoor debut; the Rangers are 5-time outdoor champions.
- The game will be broadcast on TNT and truTV and streamed on HBO Max and the league’s apps.
This historic matchup marks a new chapter for the NHL, bringing the excitement of outdoor hockey to Florida’s sunny skies.
