With the NHL season ending in just two months, the NHL’s annual Stadium Series game is coming up, and this year it will host the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio State’s football stadium on Mar. 1. For those who are not as familiar with the NHL’s stadium series, it is one of the three outdoor games annually held by the NHL, alongside the Winter Classic and the Heritage Classic. Unlike the others, the Stadium Series is usually held in February or March. and is played in a baseball or football stadium primarily in the United States.
The Stadium Series is just beginning, as it began in 2014, whereas the Winter Classic started in 2008 and the Heritage Classic started in 2003. The Heritage Classic and Winter Classic only host one game a year (in the years it has been played), but the Stadium Series has a more confusing history that has consisted of multiple changes.
The Stadium Series was first announced to be played in 2014, as a way to have more outdoor games played in the U.S. When it first began, it was announced that seven teams would play in four games, similar to a tournament style, but only with one round. These four games were played across three different stadiums. That year, the New York Rangers played two games which were both held at Yankee Stadium. Even though 2014 featured four games, in 2015, the NHL then switched to having only one game, which featured the Los Angeles Kings vs the San Jose Sharks at the Levi’s Stadium, home to the San Francisco 49ers. In 2016, the NHL changed the stadium series once again, from one game to two games. One of two games held this year also hosted the Red Wings vs the Colorado Avalanche at Coors Field (home to the Colorado Rockies). For the next seven years from 2017 to 2023, (no game in 2021 due to COVID-19), every year hosted only one game, yet in 2024, the NHL once again decided to host two games for the first time since 2016. Now in 2025, we are back to only one game, the Red Wings vs the Blue Jackets. The varying number of Stadium Series games each year is due to several factors, including, venue, broadcasting, fan experience, and scheduling. The games are always held at outdoor stadiums, and each year a different stadium is chosen to host a game or even two in some circumstances. These games also tend to be played, as mentioned earlier, in February or March, usually being aired on ESPN and Sportsnet +. All of these factors play into how the NHL will decide the amount of Stadium Series games being played that year.
The Stadium Series is known for its unique jerseys. Like the Winter Classic and The Heritage Classic, these special uniforms are one of the highlights of these events. While the Winter Classic and Heritage Classic tend to go for more vintage designs reflecting the hockey tradition and team history, the Stadium Series goes for a more futuristic look with big letters and logos. Teams get to experiment with new jersey designs for a special occasion. This year, the Red Wings uniform features a cursive font with the word “Detroit” in red on the front. This also includes the white uniform with red sleeves, as well as red and white gloves.In these Stadium Series Jerseys, what seems to stand out most with the Red Wings uniform though is the helmet, which features a white stripe down the middle and the Red Wings famous “winged wheel” on the side. The Blue Jackets uniform on the other hand features an almost all-blue jersey with a cannon on the front, paying tribute to Columbus’s history. The Captain and Alternate Captain patches also feature the “A” or “C” with the outline of the state of Ohio in the background.
While the Red Wings vs. Blue Jackets game still has yet to be played, it was also announced earlier this year that the 2026 NHL stadium series game will be hosted in Tampa Florida, being the Tampa Bay Lighting vs. the Boston Bruins, Feb. 1. Yes, it seems odd that a sport played on ice is being hosted outdoors in Florida, there’s not only one game but two. Along with the Stadium Series, the 2026 Winter Classic will be the Florida Panthers hosting the New York Rangers in Miami. While it seems like weather would be a problem, NHL’s commissioner Gary Bettman says, “Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our league isn’t willing to accept a challenge.” As far as the future of the NHL goes, it seems like fans have a lot to be excited about.
With the highly anticipated Red Wings vs Blue Jackets Stadium Series game coming up soon, it is clear that not only has the Stadium Series come a long way, but it holds a special place in the NHL’s long list of traditions, as well as in the fans’ hearts.
