The Chicago Blackhawks will be playing an outdoor hockey game next year against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The Blackhawks, who recently beat the Wild 2-1 in overtime during the opening game of the NHL playoffs , announced today that they’d be taking over the Chicago Bears’ stadium for an early Spring game in 2014.
USA Today reports that the Blackhawks and the Penguins will face off on the field on March 1, 2014.
NHL Chief Operating Officer John Collins said: “The stadium series takes what everyone loves about those games, being outdoors, giving fans the opportunity to tailgate and celebrate the sport in fun venues …”
The NHL has hosted a few outdoor games. In 2009, the Blackhawks hosted the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field for the league’s second Winter Classic. Collins said that the outdoor events have always been a success and the league is hoping to add more to the schedule.
Collins said: “Soldier is one of those iconic venues – a phenomenal stadium, and Chicago is a great market … We loved the experience at Wrigley, but we need as big a venue as we can have to get in as many fans into this game as possible.”When you see how these games light up a market, big markets like Chicago, you are left with the question of why wouldn’t you do more of these?”
In addition to the Blackhawks game at Soldier Field, the NHL will also host the Winter Classic next year at Michigan Stadium . The league is also looking to host more outdoor games next season at venues like Yankee Stadium in New York and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
[Photo by Joon Han ]