NHL Announces Outdoor Game In New Location

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 ,

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has officially confirmed that the Utah Hockey Club will host an outdoor game in the future, bringing one of the league’s most popular events to Salt Lake City. 

Speaking during a special broadcast of NashCast on SEG+, Bettman appeared alongside broadcasters Tyson Nash, Austin Facer, and team owner Ryan Smith during Utah’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. 

“An outdoor game is in Utah’s future,” Bettman said. “Utah is going to get an outdoor game, and it’s going to be great because I know the reaction from the community is going to be as good as we’ve ever seen.”

While no date has been set, Bettman confirmed that the NHL has already scouted Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus as a likely venue. 

“This is just an ideal situation for us,” he said. “We’ve had people look at the stadium at the University of Utah.” The game would most likely be part of the NHL’s Stadium Series, rather than the Winter Classic, following similar setups in other non-traditional markets. 

The league has seen massive success with past outdoor games, such as the 94,571 fans who packed Ohio Stadium for a matchup between the Blue Jackets and Flyers.

Utah forward Lawson Crouse voiced his excitement about the prospect, noting that the fans have more than earned it. “It would be great for the fans. Ever since day one they’ve showed up for us,” Crouse said. 

“Every time we step out on the ice it’s a lot of fun to play here. I think they’re deserving of that.” He added that the mountain setting and winter weather would provide a memorable backdrop, saying, “With the weather and the mountains, it would be a cool backdrop.”

Photo Credit:  Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

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