At a Glance
- Florida Panthers will face New York Rangers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot Park.
- It’s the first outdoor NHL game in Florida and the league’s 17th Winter Classic.
- The game airs on TNT and truTV, with streaming on HBO Max, the TNT app, and truTV app.
- Why it matters: Fans get to see a historic first outdoor game in Florida and a chance to watch the Panthers and Rangers in a marquee event.
The Florida Panthers will face the New York Rangers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic at Miami’s loanDepot Park, the first outdoor game in Florida. The event will be the league’s 17th Winter Classic and the 44th outdoor game overall.
Historic First for Florida
The game will be played under an open roof at loanDepot Park, which can seat 35,300 fans for the event. The Panthers are making their outdoor debut while the Rangers come in with five previous outdoor victories.
- Date: Friday, Jan 2, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT
- Venue capacity: 35,300
- Roof status: open for the opening puck drop
Broadcast & Viewership
Fans can watch the showdown on TNT and truTV, with live streaming available on HBO Max, the TNT app, and the truTV app.
- TV: TNT, truTV
- Streaming: HBO Max, TNT app, truTV app
Past Outdoor Success
The Rangers have won all five of their previous outdoor appearances, while the Panthers have never played an outdoor game before.
| Year | Opponent | Venue | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | New York Islanders | MetLife Stadium | 6-5 OT | Win |
| 2018 | Buffalo Sabres | Citi Field | 3-2 OT | Win |
| 2014 | New York Islanders | Yankee Stadium | 2-1 | Win |
| 2014 | New Jersey Devils | Yankee Stadium | 7-3 | Win |
| 2012 | Philadelphia Flyers | Citizens Bank Park | 3-2 | Win |
Weather & Logistics
A Miami forecast calls for a mostly sunny night with a high of 73 °F and a low of 55 °F.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Winter Classic marks Florida’s first outdoor NHL game.
- The Rangers enter with a perfect outdoor record; the Panthers have no outdoor experience.
- Viewers can stream the game on HBO Max, TNT app, or truTV app.
The 2026 Winter Classic promises historic firsts and exciting hockey for fans in Miami and beyond.
By Michael A. Turner for News Of Philadelphia
