The NHL Winter Classic will be heading to Florida for the first time in 2026, hosted by the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
On Wednesday, it was announced that the Rangers will be the opponent for the annual outdoor game.
First reported by Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida, it was later confirmed by the team that the Rangers will be the Panthers’ opponent in the 2026 Winter Classic, to be held at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2, 2026.
The park is the home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins.
The state of Florida is expected to host multiple outdoor games during the 2025-26 NHL season with the Tampa Bay Lightning also rumored to host one. Because both Florida teams would be getting separate outdoor games, the in-state rivals were not expected to face one another in the Winter Classic, opening the door for the Rangers.
This will be the Rangers’ third Winter Classic after appearances in 2018 at Citi Field and 2012 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It will also mark the sixth outdoor game the Rangers have played since the NHL began regular-season outdoor games in 2003.
The Rangers hosted both the Devils and Islanders in the 2014 Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium, and hosted the Islanders again at MetLife Stadium in 2024.
The Rangers have won all five outdoor games they have played.
