The NHL announced that the Utah Mammoth will host the 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic against the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. This marks the franchise's first outdoor game in its third season, following the acquisition of the Arizona Coyotes' assets in April 2024. The event will be the 18th Winter Classic and the league's 47th regular-season outdoor game.
The announcement came during a press conference at Rice-Eccles Stadium on January 7, 2026, attended by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Mammoth owners Ryan and Ashley Smith, and forward Logan Cooley. The stadium, on the University of Utah campus, seats more than 51,000 for college football and hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is set to do so again for the 2034 Games and offers views of the Wasatch Mountain Range.
Utah Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong expressed excitement about the proximity of his home to the venue, noting it is a two-minute walk away. He highlighted the franchise's rapid progress since relocating from Arizona, where players like captain Clayton Keller once played in front of just 4,600 fans at Mullett Arena. "The beauty is my house is like a two-minute walk to the stadium," Armstrong told NHL.com.
Keller, who grew up watching the Winter Classic, called it "super cool" and praised the organization's support. "I grew up watching the Winter Classic. I watched the 24/7 show on HBO. That was my favorite thing to watch. Now to be a part of that will be super special," he said. Defenseman Sean Durzi described the venue as "a beautiful venue, the background of the mountains," emphasizing the chance to showcase Utah's community.
The Avalanche, leading the Central Division with a 31-4-7 record, will play their fourth outdoor game, having gone 1-2-0 previously. Colorado president of hockey operations Joe Sakic welcomed the matchup, saying the team is "excited and honored." The Mammoth, currently fourth in the division at 20-20-3, have faced Colorado four times in the past two years, with one more meeting scheduled this season on February 25.
A date and start time for the game remain unannounced, but it will air on TNT in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. This Winter Classic continues the NHL's tradition since 2008, with all 32 franchises now having participated in an outdoor game after the Florida Panthers' recent hosting.
