This year’s NHL Winter Classic looked nothing like the frozen spectacles fans have grown used to, and that was kind of the point. Instead of snowbanks and sub-zero temperatures, the league brought its marquee outdoor game to Miami’s loanDepot Park.
Dubbed “Snowy Winter Comes to Sunny Florida,” the event leaned into the contrast, pairing hockey’s cold-weather roots with an unmistakably warm setting. And while the idea raised eyebrows at first, NHL analyst Paul Bissonnette didn’t hesitate to call it a massive success.
Paul Bissonnette Weighs In on the Winter Classic Experience in Miami
On the ice, the New York Rangers spoiled the party with a convincing 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers in front of 36,153 fans, making it the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history. Off the ice, however, the spectacle stole the show.
Speaking about the event, Bissonnette offered some perspective by comparing it to past Winter Classics held in brutal cold.
He pointed back to games like Minnesota’s outdoor matchup, noting that while frigid conditions might look “authentic” on TV, the live experience can be downright miserable. Frozen drinks, numb fingers, and fans simply trying to survive the elements don’t exactly scream entertainment.
Love it or hate it, the Winter Classic in Miami was a HUGE success ❄️🌴 pic.twitter.com/25gMCqp9a6
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 8, 2026
Miami flipped that script. According to Bissonnette, everything about the Florida setup made sense. “They did it in the perfect size MLB stadium,” Paul Bissonnette said. “It was 36,000 seat stadium, so it wasn’t too big, it looked jam-packed. And credit to the Rangers fans because they f**king traveled amazingly.”
Fans could hit the beach during the day, enjoy the warm weather, and then settle in for hockey as temperatures cooled off at night. By puck drop, the roof was open, the visuals were stunning, and the atmosphere felt electric.
From a broadcast standpoint, Bissonnette believed it looked even better on television than some colder-weather classics, largely because fans were actually enjoying themselves instead of shivering through the night.
Paul Bissonnette didn’t hold back in his praise, calling the overall experience a “10 out of 10 home run” for fans who paid to attend. The timing helped too: a Friday night game, held on Jan. 2 instead of New Year’s Day, allowed more people to travel and turn it into a full weekend event. “So, I thought 10/10. The only think that was a let down was the game itself,” he added.
With Miami now in the books, the NHL is already looking ahead. The 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic is headed west. The Utah Mammoth is set to host the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
