The Heritage Classic marks its 20th anniversary.getty images
The NHL’s events schedule for the 2023-24 season is its most robust in years. In addition to four outdoor games — the most in one season since 2016-17 — the league is sending four teams to Sweden for a full slate of regular-season games and bringing All-Star Weekend to the center of the hockey universe, Toronto, for the first time in more than two decades.
NHL Global Series Melbourne
Date: Sept. 23-24
Matchup: Arizona Coyotes vs. Los Angeles Kings
Venue: Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne
The NHL expanded its sphere of influence with its first trip to the Southern Hemisphere. Fans in Australia were treated to two sold-out preseason games on a purpose-built rink at the home of the Australian Open.
Heritage Classic (outdoor game)
Date: Oct. 29, 2023
Matchup: Edmonton Oilers vs. Calgary Flames
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton
Presenting Sponsor: Tim Hortons
The seventh edition of the NHL’s Canada-centric outdoor game will see the league celebrate the 20th anniversary of the inaugural Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium, which was the first regular-season NHL game played outdoors.
Global Series Sweden
Date: Nov. 16-19
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota Wild, Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs
Venue: Avicii Arena in Stockholm
Presenting Sponsor: Fastenal
The NHL is taking four teams to Sweden for its latest excursion to hockey-mad Scandanavia for four games played over four days featuring four unique matchups. The league will also hold a business summit in Stockholm for executives from European broadcasters and sponsors.
Winter Classic (outdoor game)
Date: Jan. 1, 2024
Matchup: Seattle Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Venue: T-Mobile Park in Seattle
Presenting Sponsor: Discover
The annual New Year’s Day outdoor spectacular features the league’s two newest expansion franchises. In addition to being the first Winter Classic held in the Pacific time zone, it will be the first edition held in a retractable roof stadium to mitigate Seattle’s rainy climate.
All-Star Weekend
Date: Feb. 2-3
Events: Skills Competition and All-Star Game
Venue: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto
Presenting Sponsor: Honda
The first NHL All-Star Weekend in Canada since 2012 and in Toronto since 2000 will be a magnet for the most influential figures in the business of hockey from both sides of the border.
Stadium Series (outdoor games)
Date: Feb. 17-18, 2024
Matchups: New Jersey Devils vs. Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers
Venue: MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Presenting Sponsor: Navy Federal Credit Union
The NHL’s first four-team Stadium Series stop is expected to draw a combined crowd of more than 150,000 fans over two days.
