NHL Could Return to Winter Classic’s Origin in 2028
BUFFALO, N.Y. – NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman revealed that there is a high probability that the league will celebrate the twentieth anniversary of its annual winter classic at the place where it all began: Orchard Park, New York.Bettman made these statements during the Sabres’ season opener in Buffalo on Thursday night. In addition, he mentioned that conversations have already been held about the possibility of an outdoor game at Highmark Stadium, which they consider a great idea. Bettman’s reference to Highmark Stadium relates to the current stadium of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, which will also be the name of the new $2.1 billion facility being built across from the stadium and set to open in July. The first Winter Classic was held at the old stadium, then called Ralph Wilson Stadium, on January 1, 2008. This event immediately captured the attention of the NHL and its fans. The combination of falling snow and a stadium filled with 71,217 fans created a “snow globe” effect for the international television audience. The then-rising NHL star, Sidney Crosby, sealed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ victory over Buffalo with a score of 2-1, scoring the decisive goal in the penalty shootout. Since then, the NHL has organized 16 Winter Classics in various prominent stadiums across the United States, including Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Boston’s Fenway Park, and Dallas’ Cotton Bowl, generally played on New Year’s Day. The league has added other outdoor games to its schedule, totaling 41 since the first Winter Classic, with this year’s game scheduled for the Miami Marlins’ LoanDepot Park on January 2nd. Bettman joked about the NHL’s view that the Winter Classic was an instant success, adding that he was joking about what began as a unique proposal from the Sabres and NBC to the league.I’m not making an announcement or committing, but we are focused on whether we can do it on the twentieth anniversary of the original Winter Classic.
Gary Bettman
Logistically, it helps that the Sabres and Bills are owned by Terry Pegula. Highmark Stadium also hosted an international hockey game between the United States and Canada in December 2017, when Buffalo hosted the World Junior Championships.We are grateful to have done it here first. And we will be back, I promise.
Gary Bettman
