NHL Prepares for First Outdoor Winter Classic in Miami.

MIAMI — NHL officials conducted a test at loanDepot Park on Tuesday night to prepare for the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic, where the Florida Panthers will face the New York Rangers on Jan. 2. The test involved opening the stadium’s sliding glass panels and retractable roof, a key part of ensuring the outdoor game runs smoothly. Dean Matsuzaki, NHL executive vice president of events, described the countdown to opening the roof, saying, “Ten, nine, eight… Open!” The result was minor, with only a few decorative palm trees and flamingos knocked over. Matsuzaki admitted the test was intentionally low-key but necessary. At ice level, temperatures ranged from 58 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to an indoor NHL game. While the conditions will not break records for outdoor NHL games — the coldest being 62 degrees at Dodger Stadium in 2014 and 65 degrees at Coors Field in 2016 — officials expect pleasant weather during Friday’s puck drop, according to NHL vice president of hockey operations Derek King. The NHL has staged 43 outdoor games in the past, learning to handle varying weather and conditions, making them confident in hosting the event in Miami. During ice construction, the roof remained closed with air conditioning set between 60 and 64 degrees, but officials planned to open it for game day.

This marks the first outdoor NHL game in Florida. LoanDepot Park, normally home to the MLB’s Miami Marlins, presented unique challenges not encountered in baseball. Matsuzaki recalled a previous NHL Heritage Classic test in Vancouver in 2014, where opening a retractable roof caused wind swirls that toppled bike racks marking the rink area, emphasizing the importance of preparation. On Tuesday, officials encountered only minor issues. The roof opened in about 15 minutes, revealing the Miami skyline, with a gentle breeze and little effect on temperature. Matsuzaki noted minor decoration casualties but was satisfied with the test. King highlighted the testing of anti-fog solutions on glass panels, which proved unnecessary due to low humidity. For the first time, the NHL deployed two Mobile Refrigeration Units to maintain ice quality. After less than two hours, King concluded the test, confident that the conditions and equipment were ready for the Winter Classic.

King summed up the preparation positively: “You feel a little bit of a breeze now with the roof open, but that’s what you want. It’s an outdoor game. Everything’s great… Very good for a game in Miami.”