loanDepot park to host 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic

MIAMI -- loanDepot park won't just be the "Home of Béisbol" next year.

The National Hockey League announced on Wednesday that the Marlins’ ballpark will host the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic between the Florida Panthers and the New York Rangers on Jan. 2.

It will mark the first time an outdoor NHL game will take place in Florida, making Miami the southernmost site to host the annual signature event. This iteration will feature a matchup between rivals with recent history: The Panthers defeated the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final en route to the 2023-24 Stanley Cup -- the first in franchise history.

“It is an honor to work with the NHL and Florida Panthers to bring the magic of outdoor hockey to South Florida,” Marlins president of business operations Caroline O’Connor said. “The NHL Winter Classic is an iconic sporting event, and we are excited to bring it to loanDepot park for our community to experience.

"A special thank you to David Oxfeld and Anthony Favata from our leadership team for their thorough work on this incredible opportunity, and to Matt Caldwell from the Florida Panthers along with Keith Wachtel and the NHL team for their support and trust in our shared vision. We look forward to making history with our fans and further establishing loanDepot park’s reputation as a marquee entertainment venue.”

loanDepot is no stranger to hosting big events. Over the past two years, it held all rounds of the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2024 Caribbean Series. Outside of baseball, loanDepot park welcomed the Miami Beach Bowl during college football season and a soccer match between Venezuela and Nigeria.

Additional details for the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic, including ticketing information, will be announced at a later date. Marlins Members will have priority access to tickets. Head to Marlins.com/WinterClassic for the latest information.