The NHL could be gearing up for one of its coolest events—literally—at an unexpected spot in the U.S. next season. Word is, the Florida Panthers are close to landing an outdoor game at LoanDepot Park, the Miami Marlins’ baseball stadium.
This would be a big deal for hockey in Florida. It’s never happened before, and for a good reason—outdoor hockey in the Sunshine State? That’s a stretch! But it’s not unheard of for the NHL to try something bold. They’ve played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (2014), Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco (2015), and even the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (2020). Now, Miami could take the spotlight, becoming the southernmost city to host an outdoor NHL game.
There’s one catch, though. LoanDepot Park has a retractable roof. So, if the weather doesn’t cooperate—or if the heat becomes too much—the game could technically be “outdoor” in spirit but played under a closed roof. Still, the idea is exciting.
The Panthers, last season’s Stanley Cup champions, have never played in an outdoor game before. That’s right, despite the NHL hosting 41 outdoor games so far, Florida has yet to get its turn. If this happens, it would be a huge milestone for the franchise and its fans.
The timing couldn’t be better, considering Florida’s incredible championship run. They battled hard in the Stanley Cup Finals, nearly losing their 3-0 lead to the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers forced a Game 7, but the Panthers held strong at home, winning their first-ever Stanley Cup.
This year’s Winter Classic will take place on New Year’s Eve at Wrigley Field in Chicago—a stadium with its own rich history of hosting outdoor hockey. Wrigley first hosted the Winter Classic back in 2009. Later in March, another outdoor game is planned at Ohio Stadium, featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets in their first outdoor appearance.
If the Miami event happens, it would leave only the Utah Hockey Club and Florida’s NHL neighbors, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as the only franchises never to have played outside. Meanwhile, teams like the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, and Philadelphia Flyers have become outdoor-game regulars, each playing in six so far.
An outdoor game in Miami would be a unique spectacle for fans and a chance to see hockey in a whole new light—right in the heart of South Florida. Stay tuned, because this could be a game to remember.
