The NHL Stadium Series is an annual event where regular season NHL games are played in outdoor stadium venues. The event was created in 2014 to bring the excitement of outdoor hockey to new venues and locations. Stadium Series games allow the NHL to reach new fans by staging unique hockey experiences in iconic stadiums.
History of the Stadium Series
The NHL Stadium Series was launched in 2014 as an addition to the already existing NHL Winter Classic outdoor game. The first Stadium Series took place on January 25, 2014 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-0 in the first ever Stadium Series game. Over 54,000 fans attended the outdoor game in southern California.
In 2014, there were actually four Stadium Series games total. After the game at Dodger stadium, the New York Rangers faced the New Jersey Devils at Yankee Stadium on January 26. The Rangers and Devils then played another outdoor game two days later on January 28. Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field on March 1, 2014. The series was considered a big success with strong ticket sales and good reviews.
Since the inaugural series in 2014, the NHL has continued to hold multiple Stadium Series games every season. The event has now been hosted in 14 different stadium venues across North America. Some of the most notable locations include Coors Field, Lincoln Financial Field, Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and McMahon Stadium.
Notable Stadium Series Games
- 2014: Los Angeles Kings vs. Anaheim Ducks at Dodger Stadium
- 2016: Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field
- 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers at Heinz Field
- 2018: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Washington Capitals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
- 2019: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers at Lincoln Financial Field
How Cities and Teams are Selected
The NHL goes through a bidding process each year to determine which markets and venues will host Stadium Series events. Cities, stadium operators, and NHL teams all have the opportunity to submit proposals to host games.
The league considers several factors when choosing locations including:
- Venue availability and layout – The stadium needs to be able to accommodate a regulation NHL rink and have enough space for fans.
- Local market demand – NHL looks for engaged hockey markets that will sell a lot of tickets.
- Appeal of the venue – Iconic and landmark stadiums are preferred.
- Logistics – The NHL must consider challenges like weather and construction.
- Regional balance – The league strives for geographic diversity over time.
The NHL works closely with the stadium operators and teams throughout the planning process leading up to the event. It takes months of preparation to get these large outdoor venues ready to host hockey games.
Creating the Outdoor Hockey Environment
A tremendous amount of work goes into transforming a football or baseball stadium into a hockey arena suitable for NHL games. Here is an overview of what is involved:
Building the Rink
The first step is to build a regulation NHL rink inside the stadium. This typically takes 2-3 weeks to complete. A foundation of decking and piping is installed to create the understructure for the ice. Once the base is in place, the ice making process can begin. Some key facts about the outdoor rinks:
- Over 10,000 gallons of water are used to create a 2 inch ice surface.
- The NHL uses state of the art refrigeration trucks to keep the ice frozen.
- Lines, logos, and colors are painted on the ice just like in an indoor arena.
- Rinks are around 200 feet long and 85 feet wide.
Stadium Setup
In addition to building the rink, the stadium needs to be properly outfitted for a hockey experience. This involves:
- Installing dasher boards and glass around the rink.
- Setting up benches, penalty boxes, and scoreboards.
- Building an outdoor locker room area for the teams.
- Laying down protective matting and flooring for concourses.
- Bringing in furniture like goals, nets, and large video screens.
The NHL brings in their own custom features like the dasher board system to make the setup consistent across all Stadium Series venues.
Ticketing and Seating
Outdoor stadiums have much larger capacities than NHL arenas. However, the seating setup is altered to accommodate the central ice rink. Typically only around 50-60% of seats in the stadium are available for the game.
Tickets are sold as part of specialized event packages. Pricing varies but Stadium Series tickets can cost 2-3x more on average than a regular season NHL game. Tickets are in high demand since it is a unique hockey event in an iconic venue.
Fan Experience
The NHL and teams go all out to create a fantastic fan experience around the outdoor games. Some highlights include:
- Live music and entertainment outside the stadium.
- Pre-game fan festivals with sponsor activations and hockey activities.
- Unique food and drink options including local cuisine.
- Special jerseys and merchandise for the event.
The Stadium Series brings hockey into iconic venues and gives fans an unforgettable experience.
Weather and Playing Conditions
Outdoor hockey does bring some unpredictability in terms of weather conditions. The games are held during the winter which introduces the elements into play. Some key considerations around weather include:
- The NHL works with meteorologists to monitor forecasts in the weeks leading up.
- Games may need to be rescheduled if extreme weather is expected.
- Facility crews are on standby to clear snow and ice from the playing surface.
- Refrigeration trucks keep the rink frozen – temperatures can actually be too cold.
- Fog and sun glare can cause visibility issues for players.
- Fans are encouraged to dress warmly for freezing temperatures and bring rain gear.
The open air environment is part of the unique charm around these outdoor games. Despite weather concerns, most Stadium Series contests have been played as scheduled over the years.
Memorable Stadium Series Moments
The Stadium Series has created many memorable hockey moments and unique scenes over the years. Here are some of the most iconic highlights:
- 2014: Gretzky takes the ice at Dodger Stadium in a Wayne Gretzky LA Kings jersey to drop the puck for the opening faceoff.
- 2016: Record crowd of over 50,000 fans fills Coors Field as Sidney Crosby scores the winning goal for the Penguins vs. the Avalanche.
- 2017: The Penguins and Flyers battle heavy rain and soggy ice conditions at Heinz Field.
- 2019: Claude Giroux of the Flyers scores an incredible one-handed, through-the-legs goal against the Penguins at Lincoln Financial Field.
- 2021: 21-year-old Kirill Kaprizov records three assists for the Wild as over 37,000 fans fill Lake Tahoe rink in deep snow conditions.
The unique backdrops and outdoor environments have created hockey moments that stand out in NHL history.
Stadium Series Event Schedule and Results
Here is the complete history of NHL Stadium Series games including results:
Season | Date | Venue | City | Home Team | Away Team | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013-14 | 1/25/2014 | Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Kings | Anaheim Ducks | 3-0 Kings |
2013-14 | 1/26/2014 | Yankee Stadium | New York, NY | New York Rangers | New Jersey Devils | 7-3 Rangers |
2013-14 | 1/29/2014 | Yankee Stadium | New York, NY | New York Rangers | New York Islanders | 2-1 Rangers |
2013-14 | 3/1/2014 | Soldier Field | Chicago, IL | Chicago Blackhawks | Pittsburgh Penguins | 5-1 Blackhawks |
2015-16 | 2/21/2016 | Coors Field | Denver, CO | Colorado Avalanche | Detroit Red Wings | 3-5 Red Wings |
2016-17 | 2/25/2017 | Heinz Field | Pittsburgh, PA | Pittsburgh Penguins | Philadelphia Flyers | 4-2 Penguins |
2017-18 | 3/3/2018 | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium | Annapolis, MD | Washington Capitals | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5-2 Capitals |
2018-19 | 2/23/2019 | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA | Philadelphia Flyers | Pittsburgh Penguins | 4-3 Penguins (OT) |
2019-20 | 2/15/2020 | Falcon Stadium | Colorado Springs, CO | Colorado Avalanche | Los Angeles Kings | 3-1 Avalanche |
2020-21 | 2/20/2021 | Lake Tahoe | Stateline, NV | Colorado Avalanche | Vegas Golden Knights | 3-2 Avalanche |
2020-21 | 2/21/2021 | Lake Tahoe | Stateline, NV | Boston Bruins | Philadelphia Flyers | 7-3 Bruins |
Conclusion
The NHL Stadium Series has become a marquee event on the hockey calendar every year. Playing outdoor games in iconic stadiums provides unique experiences for fans while expanding the reach of the NHL into new markets. The event requires extensive planning, preparation, and logistics to transform football and baseball venues into hockey arenas. Despite weather concerns, the opportunity to celebrate the game in outdoor environments has created many memorable hockey moments. After starting in 2014, the Stadium Series has continued growing in scale and popularity. The event highlights the NHL’s commitment to innovate and reach new fans across North America.