The New York Ranger are one of the NHL's premier hockey teams. They are one of the "Original Six" teams and have insane popularity on hockey fans, whether die hard or casual. That's why it's not shocking that the Rangers are set to compete in another outdoor hockey game.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Rangers would compete in the 2026 Winter Classic. This time, they would take on the Florida Panthers at loanDepot Park in Miami. This will be the first outdoor hockey game to take place in the Sunshine State. The 2026 winter Classic was set for Jan. 2.
Rangers fans wondering how the ice setup would look like, the NHL provided a sneak preview on Monday. Behold, the official rendering of the setup for the 2026 Winter Classic.
Snowy winter comes to sunny Florida ❄️☀️
— NHL (@NHL) December 29, 2025
Don't miss the 2026 Discover NHL #WinterClassic this Friday at 8p ET on @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax in the US and @Sportsnet & @TVASports in Canada! pic.twitter.com/tW3bdCga2O
NHL unveils official set up for Rangers vs. Panthers 2026 Winter Classic
The NHL is going with the Miami theme for the outdoor game, as evidenced by the pink and blue color scheme on the Winter Classic logo and the area surrounding the rink. Attention is in the details on what will surround the ice on the field where MLB's Miami Marlins normally play.
"On the left, a typical sandy South Florida winter includes flamingos, umbrella beach chairs, a lifeguard shack and a street hockey rink. To mark this historic game, snow arrives to cover the right side of the field with pelicans, snow-topped beach chairs, a lifeguard stand equipped with a snowplow and a synthetic ice rink. Palm trees dot both sides of the field," the NHL says in their official press release.
That's not all. During the game, there will be "beachgoers sunbathing and enjoying the warm weather climate" along with others who will "make snow angels and take part in snow fights and other wintry activities."
This will be the first of two outdoor hockey games to take place in Florida. The other will be the 2026 Stadium Series on Sunday, Feb. 1, with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Buccaneers.
Once they take the ice, this will be the sixth time that the Rangers compete in an outdoor hockey game. There are some added stakes, as the Rangers are a perfect 5-0-0 in these environments.
Year and Event | Venue | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
2012 Winter Classic | Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia, Pa.) | Philadelphia Flyers | Won 3-2 |
2014 Stadium Series | Yankee Stadium (The Bronx, N.Y.) | New Jersey Devils | Won 7-3 |
2014 Stadium Series | Yankee Stadium (The Bronx, N.Y.) | New York Islanders | Won 2-1 |
2018 Winter Classic | Citi Field (Queens, N.Y.) | Buffalo Sabres | Won 3-2 (OT) |
2024 Stadium Series | MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, N.J.) | New York Islanders | Won 6-5 (OT) |
The Rangers do face a tough test in the Panthers, who have come to life, going 7-3 in their last 10 games entering Monday. The team is only getting healthier, and that makes them much more dangerous. The Rangers, meanwhile, have been inconsistent this year. At times, they look like a powerhouse. At other times, they look lost on the ice.
we'll see if the Rangers' outdoor hockey game momentum will continue and help them keep their perfect record Or, will they fall to the team that eliminated them in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals?