{"id":1229,"date":"2026-04-02T13:58:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/?p=1229"},"modified":"2026-04-02T13:58:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:58:32","slug":"toronto-is-looking-for-an-nhl-outdoor-hockey-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/02\/toronto-is-looking-for-an-nhl-outdoor-hockey-game\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto is Looking For An NHL Outdoor Hockey Game!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Toroto City Council last week supprted my Motion unanimously to support an NHL outdoor hockey game in Toronto!  I&#8217;m thinking t in the Skydome with the roof open&#8230;..and the CN Tower lit up in red and qwhite in the background!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are my speaking notes from the City Council discussion:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This motion is a straightforward request: it simply asks Council to allow the City Manager and Economic Development staff to begin conversations with MLSE, the NHL, and Rogers about the possibility of hosting an outdoor hockey game here in Toronto.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is no commitment, no financial approval, and no obligation attached to this request. It does not ask the NHL to add a second Stadium Series game for 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is just the first step\u2014doing the due diligence and determining whether hosting an outdoor game in Toronto is feasible as we look ahead to the Maple Leaf\u2019s 100th anniversary in 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Toronto is a hockey city\u2014this sport is in our DNA. With the Maple Leafs\u2019 100th anniversary coming up in 2027, we have a once-in-a-century opportunity to do something truly special for fans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outdoor games are iconic, high-energy events. And Toronto has never hosted one. For the hockey capital of the world, that\u2019s surprising. Picture the Rogers Centre with the roof open, a rink on the field, and the CN Tower lit up above it\u2014that\u2019s a global moment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We\u2019re simply asking Council to let us formally start the conversation. On March 10, the Executive Committee will consider a motion allowing the City Manager and Economic Development to begin talks with MLSE, Rogers, and the NHL. No commitment, no spending, just step one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This will support staff to understand logistics, timing, and feasibility. But we need to give staff direction to speak with the partners involved to get those answers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having an outdoor game brings real benefits\u2014visitors, economic activity, support for local businesses\u2014and a sense of pride. It\u2019s a chance to celebrate our hockey heritage in a big, bold way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This milestone doesn\u2019t come again. Toronto deserves a celebration that matches the moment. Bringing this forward on March 10 says: let\u2019s explore it and see what\u2019s possible.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is an exciting opportunity to create something unforgettable for the city and for hockey fans. March 10 is simply the first step.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Background: NHL Outdoor Games and Toronto Context<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NHL Outdoor Game Landscape (U.S.-Based)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The NHL stages two major outdoor games annually in the United States:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Winter Classic (WC):<\/strong><br>The league\u2019s premier outdoor event, traditionally held <strong>around New Year\u2019s Day<\/strong> each year at a U.S. venue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stadium Series:<\/strong><br>A second annual outdoor game, typically held <strong>approximately one month later<\/strong>, also in the U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2026 Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Winter Classic:<\/strong> Miami, Florida<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stadium Series:<\/strong> Tampa, Florida (February 1, 2026)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2027 Season<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Winter Classic:<\/strong><br>Hosted by the <strong>Utah Mammoth<\/strong> at <strong>Rice\u2011Eccles Stadium<\/strong> in <strong>Salt Lake City, Utah<\/strong>. This will be the <strong>first NHL outdoor game ever held in Utah<\/strong>, with the Mammoth hosting the <strong>Colorado Avalanche<\/strong> in early January 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stadium Series:<\/strong><br>Hosted by the <strong>Dallas Stars<\/strong> at <strong>AT&amp;T Stadium<\/strong> in <strong>Arlington, Texas<\/strong> on <strong>February 20, 2027<\/strong>, against the <strong>Vegas Golden Knights<\/strong>. This will be the <strong>first hockey game ever played at AT&amp;T Stadium<\/strong>, continuing the NHL\u2019s recent use of large NFL venues for this event.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These confirmed selections further reinforce that both the Winter Classic and Stadium Series remain <strong>consistently U.S.-based annual events<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Canadian Outdoor Game: Heritage Classic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Canada\u2019s premier outdoor NHL game is the <strong>Heritage Classic (HC)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The HC is typically staged <strong>every three years<\/strong> in a Canadian city.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is distinct from the Winter Classic and Stadium Series, which occur annually in the U.S.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Next Scheduled Heritage Classic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Date:<\/strong> October 25, 2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> <strong>Princess Auto Stadium<\/strong>, <strong>Winnipeg, Manitoba<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Toronto and the 2026 Heritage Classic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Toronto, in partnership with <strong>MLSE<\/strong>, had previously engaged in discussions with the NHL regarding hosting the <strong>2026 Heritage Classic<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The proposal was contingent on the ability to retain <strong>temporary seating expansions at BMO Field<\/strong> following the <strong>FIFA World Cup 2026<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ultimately, this proved <strong>not feasible<\/strong>, due to the timing requirements and site demands associated with the <strong>Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Following this determination, the NHL selected <strong>Winnipeg<\/strong> as host for the 2026 Heritage Classic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Looking Ahead: 2029 Heritage Classic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>At a future date, the NHL is expected to initiate an <strong>Expression of Interest (EOI)<\/strong> process for the <strong>2029 Heritage Classic<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As part of this process, the NHL Events team will undertake due diligence on proposed host cities, assessing:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Venue readiness and capacity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operational feasibility<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Market strength and fan engagement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Local and municipal partnership considerations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Toronto would be able to participate in this process once formally launched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>City of Toronto Support for Major One\u2011Off Sporting Events<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A review of the <strong>past decade of major one\u2011off professional sporting events<\/strong> hosted in Toronto \u2014 including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>MLS All\u2011Star Game (2008)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NBA All\u2011Star Game (2016)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>World Cup of Hockey (2016)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NHL Centennial Classic (2017)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NHL All\u2011Star Game (2024)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>consistent municipal approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>City of Toronto<\/strong> has typically provided <strong>limited in\u2011kind support<\/strong>, rather than direct financial contributions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For the <strong>NHL All\u2011Star Game 2024<\/strong>, city in\u2011kind services were valued at approximately <strong>$18,000<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Toroto City Council last week supprted my Motion unanimously to support an NHL outdoor hockey game in Toronto! I&#8217;m thinking t in the Skydome with the roof open&#8230;..and the CN Tower lit up in red and qwhite in the background! Here are my speaking notes from the City Council discussion: Background: NHL Outdoor Games and &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/02\/toronto-is-looking-for-an-nhl-outdoor-hockey-game\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Toronto is Looking For An NHL Outdoor Hockey Game!!!&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1229"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1230,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1229\/revisions\/1230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paulainslie.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}