NHL Winter Classic 2025: What is it? Where and when will it take place? How to watch live?

For the first time, there will be two National Hockey League Winter Classic games in a single calendar year when the 2024/25 NHL Winter Classic takes place on December 31, 2024.

The previous Winter Classic this year took place on New Year's Day, 1 January 2024, between the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. It was won by the home team in a 3–0 shutout.

What can you expect from the 2025 Winter Classic? Discover below.

What is the NHL Winter Classic? How many Winter Classics have taken place?

The NHL Winter Classic is a regular-season NHL game played outdoors at either a baseball or American football stadium. The NHL first played a regular-season game outdoors in 2003 in Canada, and in 2007 the league announced the inaugural Winter Classic, to be played on New Year's Day 2008.

Since then, the Winter Classic has been played every year – usually on January 1 or 2 – with the exception of 2013 and 2021, when a league lockout and the Covid pandemic respectively cancelled the event.

This season is the first to have the Winter Classic be played on New Year's Eve.

Where and what time is the 2025 NHL Winter Classic?

The 2025 Winter Classic will be played on December 31, 2024, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.

Wrigley Field normally hosts Chicago Cubs baseball games. An ice rink will be installed on the field. This is the second Winter Classic to be held at Wrigley Field, with the first in 2009.

Puck drop is at 4pm Central Standard Time (10pm GMT/UTC), which is 2pm Pacific and 5pm Eastern.

Who is playing in the 2025 NHL Winter Classic? Who are the top players?

The 2025 Winter Classic will feature the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks, with the Blackhawks being the 'home' team.

Both teams are currently struggling in the Central Division of the Western Conference, with the Blues sitting sixth on 38 points (17–17–4) and the Blackhawks eighth and last in the division on 26 points (12–23–2).

As of the end of December 29, the Blues' top points scorer is currently Jordan Kyrou (31 points – 15 goals, 16 assists), while Connor Bedard leads the way for Chicago (32 points – 10 goals, 22 assists).

How can I watch the 2025 NHL Winter Classic live?

The NHL Winter Classic will be shown by the various NHL rights-holders around the world.

In the United States, this will be on TNT (NHL on TNT) and TruTV, with streaming on Max.

In Canada, the game will be shown on Sportsnet (in English) and TVA Sports (in French).

Globally, the game may be available on the NHL's own NHL.TV platform subject to geographical blackouts. Other global rights-holders may also broadcast the game.