Anticipation Builds for the 2025 NHL Winter Classic as Fans Gear Up for an Unforgettable Outdoor Hockey Spectacle
The 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field will be the second time the annual outdoor game is between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues on New Year’s Eve
“Those who attended in 2009 are going to get a completely different experience, Aside from the fact they’re going to watch a hockey game and the Blackhawks are playing in the game, not much will be the same.” : NHL senior executive vice president and chief content officer Steve Mayer said Thursday.
The rink design will closely resemble that of 2009 when the Blackhawks faced off against the Detroit Red Wings. It will remain largely unchanged because of Wrigley’s sightlines; however, the rink will be positioned slightly closer to the field, with center ice located near where second base is situated.
Three Big Ten men’s hockey games and one WCHA women’s game will be played at The Frozen Confines. Penn State will face Notre Dame and Ohio State will face Michigan on Jan. 3. The Ohio State and Wisconsin women’s teams will face off on January 4, along with the Wisconsin and Michigan State men’s teams.
The sequence of the games is yet to be confirmed, but the games will begin at 5 and 8:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 3 and at 5:30 and 9 p.m. The fourth of January at ET. In 2009, the park did not have the two huge video boards in left and right fields.
The 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Eve will be the second time the annual outdoor game is played between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. The NHL has hosted the Winter Classic at Fenway Park in Boston twice, in 2010 and 2023, marking the second time the event has been held more than once at the same venue.
The NHL and Fanatics, the official supplier of NHL gear, revealed the Discover NHL Winter Classic uniforms for the upcoming game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field on December 31.
Both jerseys have unique features such as city-related elements on the necklines and helmets, as well as the label “NHL Winter Classic” on the bottom hem.
The NHL Winter Classic uniform of the Blackhawks honors the team’s history while incorporating unique design features. The jersey has a traditional lace-neck collar, reminiscent of hockey’s early years, paired with a vintage cream color that reflects the nostalgic feel of the Original Six period.
The front crest features stars from the Chicago flag in a unique design detail, while the back numbers, with subtle pinstripes, pay homage to Chicago’s baseball history. Together, these components design a uniform that pays tribute to both the team’s rich history and the city’s extensive sports heritage.
The NHL Winter Classic uniform of the Blues gives tribute to the city’s hockey history. The main wordmark on the jersey is the first instance in team history where the Blue Note is not the main design element on the chest.
The font design and numbering take inspiration from a never-before-used prototype Blues uniform from 1966, while the jersey features a newly created vintage-style “Blue Note” on the shoulder. Finally, fleur-de-lis patterns can be seen on the inner back neckline and hem loop tags as a tribute to St. Louis.
Image Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
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