Wrigley Field To Host NHL's Winter Classic In 2025: Report

CHICAGO ? For the first time since 2009, it appears Wrigley Field will be the site of one of the National Hockey League's biggest events, the Winter Classic. Chicago Sun-Times reports Tuesday the outdoor ice hockey game will return to the home of the Chicago Cubs next year, with a showdown between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues scheduled for the historic baseball stadium.

A source told Sun-Times the event will be part of the 2024-2025 NHL season, but a date is not known at this time. Typically, the Winter Classic is played on or around New Year's Day. The event was first held in 2003 and has been played annually since 2008.

If the Blackhawks do play in the game, the franchise would surpass the Philadelphia Flyers for most appearances in the Winter Classic with seven. Chicago hosted the Detroit Red Wings in the 2009 version at Wrigley, and also hosted the 2014 version against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field. In 2019, the Blackhawks were the home team in a game against the Boston Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana.

The team's other three appearances were on the road: at Washington Capitals (Nationals Park in 2015), at Minnesota Wild (TCF Bank Stadium in 2016), and at St. Louis Blues (Busch Stadium in 2017). Chicago has a losing record of 1-5 in Winter Classic games.