Unveiling the Magic of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic: Mammoth Set to Host the Avalanche in Utah

If you follow the NHL, you’ve probably heard plenty of buzz about the Winter Classic recently. The league officially announced the Utah Mammoth and Colorado Avalanche will face off in the 2027 Winter Classic, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. Surrounded by stunning mountain views and located in one of the NHL’s newest fan bases, the stadium is a perfect stage for the NHL’s premier outdoor event. 

This matchup will commence the 18th Winter Classic and the 47th outdoor game in NHL history, and serve as a milestone moment for both franchises. The Utah Mammoth will make their Winter Classic debut, a concept the franchise never got to experience during its time as the Arizona Coyotes. As for Colorado, this game will be their first appearance in the Winter Classic, and their fourth outdoor game overall, while also marking the first time the Avalanche will participate as the visiting team.

Awarding the Winter Classic to Utah represents the NHL’s ongoing effort to grow the game in emerging markets. Since their initiation, the Utah Mammoth have quickly established themselves as one of the league’s most impressive organizations by becoming a home players genuinely want to be a part of. General manager Bill Armstrong believes hosting the Winter Classic will only add to that attraction: "It's the ability to have an elite practice facility, an elite home rink, and now we're going to add a Winter Classic.” “It's a celebration of hockey in your state, your city and for your franchise. It draws a lot of attention to your franchise, and I love that aspect of it because there's a lot to be proud of. I think it's going to draw focus to that. The one thing Utah and fans of the Mammoth do incredibly well is that they show up and they show up in numbers. This is going to be a major event in Utah. It's going to put us on the map. It's exciting times. It's going to be a great day."

For a franchise still developing its identity, the Winter Classic serves as both a reward and an opportunity to showcase hockey in Utah while continuing to expand the game. 

The Winter Classic has become a defining tradition in the NHL. For those who are unfamiliar, here’s a quick look at how it all began! The first game was played on January 1st, 2008, featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Penguins took home a win after ending the game 2-1 in a shootout. Not only was it the NHL’s first outdoor regular-season game in the U.S., but it also set a new attendance record for the league. Since then, the Winter Classic has become the NHL’s premier outdoor event, as it blends the tradition of outdoor hockey with unique characters that make each host market special. The 2027 matchup will mark the 18th annual Winter Classic and the 47th outdoor game in NHL history. While the NHL also hosts two other outdoor specialty events—the Heritage Classic and the Stadium Series—the Winter Classic remains the most celebrated. The Heritage Classic is held sporadically, with the last game played on November 22nd, 2023, while the Stadium Series is an annual event. This year on February 1st, the Boston Bruins will face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 17th Stadium Series game. Now that we’re done with the history lesson, it’s back to Utah where the Mammoth and Avalanche are set to take the ice for yet another unforgettable outdoor showcase.

Beyond the business and branding impact, the Winter Classic carries a nostalgic and emotional weight for these players. Many professionals grew up watching this event and the spectacle surrounding it, imagining and hoping to one day see themselves under that spotlight. One aspect players have been quick to note is how influential watching the 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic show was during their childhoods. Utah Mammoth captain Clayton Keller reflected on that connection, saying, "I grew up watching the Winter Classic. I watched the 24/7 show on HBO. That was my favorite thing to watch. Now to be a part of that will be super special and a ton of fun."

First introduced in 2010, the reality series became an instant hit by giving fans real insight and unfiltered access to their favorite teams and players. Some might say a little BTS moment. It humanized the league’s biggest stars, fueled already heated rivalries, and created a deeper connection between fans and the sport. Even years later, its influence remains undeniable. I’ve personally spent the past month scouring YouTube for Episode 1 of the Penguins vs Capitals series. Said docuseries returned again this season, following the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. On his podcast Wingmen, Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk echoed Keller, saying, “One of my favorite parts of watching the Winter Classic growing up, one of the reasons why I actually wanted to become an NHLer, was because of this show, because of the 'Road to the Winter Classic.”

Quotes like these illustrate how the Winter Classic has come full circle, evolving from a source of inspiration for today’s players into a stage where they are able to live out their childhood dreams. As long as the specialty game exists, that cyclical connection will continue to inspire the next generation of young hockey fans and future players.

At its heart, the Winter Classic is a celebration of the sport’s outdoor roots, nostalgia, and of course, the game of hockey itself. The 2027 Winter Classic will add yet another layer to the legacy by shining a spotlight on a new market and a passionate fanbase that promises to make the event unforgettable. With the Mammoth and Avalanche set to take the ice, the league is leaning back into everything that makes the Winter Classic special: history, the growth of the sport, and shared love of the game. In Utah, under the open sky and surrounded by mountains, the 2027 Winter Classic will remind the world why outdoor hockey has always been and will always be magical.

Edited by: Olivia Feldgus