From Chicago's Wrigley Field to Fenway Park in Boston, the NHL Winter Classic has made its rounds across North America since its inaugural game in 2008. But there is plenty of untapped potential when it comes to possible sites for the league's future outdoor games.
The league has ventured into warm-weather climates with the the 2015 Stadium Series being played in Santa Clara, California and the upcoming Winter Classic to be hosted in Miami -- so nothing is off limits.
Lake Louise - Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada
What could be better than a game of good old-fashioned pond hockey on one of the most beautiful ice rinks in Canada? Imagine the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames facing off in the Battle of Alberta on the iconic natural playing surface of Lake Louise.
The lake is already a popular tourist destination year-round, but especially in the winter for ice skating and pick-up games. Located in Banff National Park nestled in the Canadian Rockies, players would skate with the backdrop of stunning mountain ranges, albeit in frigid below-freezing temperatures.
The frozen lake is home to an annual tournament called the Lake Louise Pond Hockey Classic, where over 20 teams show up to battle it out over the weekend-long event. The next tournament is set to take place in February 2026, so it's certainly feasible to have a large-scale game take place there.
The NHL would have to get creative with fan attendance, which is the most limiting factor at play. The last time the league tried to go back to its roots was at Lake Tahoe in 2021, where two games were played without any fans due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time. It may not be the most likely option, but the scenic surroundings of Lake Louise would make for the most unique outdoor game yet.
Lambeau Field - Green Bay, Wisconsin
For another cold-weather option, the home of the Green Bay Packers might be the perfect spot for an outdoor contest: it holds over 80,000 fans, which would make it the fourth-largest NHL outdoor game of all time, and the ambiance of playing under snowfall lit by stadium lights would make for a fantastic scene.
Despite the closest NHL team being the Blackhawks over 200 miles away, there is a thriving hockey community in Wisconsin that would certainly pack the stands, pun intended. St. Paul is a four-hour drive away, meaning Minnesota Wild fans could feasibly make the trip, and the same goes for Chicago fans (though the last thing we need is for the Blackhawks to play in an eighth outdoor game).
Logistically speaking, the NFL season carries over into the first week of January so it would take some very advanced planning to make sure that Lambeau Field was available. The cold once again might be an issue but if football fans can sell out the stadium in the dead of winter, then hockey lovers would certainly show up, too. Lambert has already hosted an outdoor NCAA game which was wildly successful, boding well for a potential NHL matchup.
The Strip - Las Vegas, Nevada
It might sound farfetched at first glance, but the NHL has already played an outdoor game in Vegas. Back in 1991, the Los Angeles Kings faced off against the New York Rangers in a preseason matchup at the iconic Caesars Palace.
Granted, being that it was still September, temperatures got up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit at one point during the game and there was even a pre-game mishap where a hot tarp fell on the ice and caused it to start melting. Reports stated the ice held up fairly well, all things considered. Still, a nice balmy January afternoon in the mid-50s to early 60s sounds much more appealing.
With the surge in popularity of the Vegas Golden Knights and the NHL's interest in expanding outdoor games to non-traditional areas, now would be the perfect time to return to the Strip for a Winter Classic.
Of the three choices, Vegas is probably the most likely candidate for a future outdoor game, but any of these options would make for an unforgettable Winter Classic.