Which team(s) should be next in line for outdoor game?

[Hooby Dooby Doo]

Just have the Lightning do one on the road please..... an outdoor game at Raymond James is ****ing absurd. Our weather doesn't hold up for it. Don't force something that isn't there and just give us a road game

I've thought of the potential of a Florida-Tampa at Raymond James in January. It's a crap shoot though since it may be cold enough to handle a night game with temps in the 40s which does happen. Or it'll be 85.

 

[These Are The Days]

I've thought of the potential of a Florida-Tampa at Raymond James in January. It's a crap shoot though since it may be cold enough to handle a night game with temps in the 40s which does happen. Or it'll be 85.

Marlins Park is probably the only realistic solution to be honest

 

[SavageSteve]

Possible venue(s) for the teams that have yet to play in an outdoor game:

• Arizona: Sun Devil Stadium, Chase Field (if the roof can be opened), or State Farm Stadium (if the roof can be opened; would also have to be in a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Carolina: Carter-Findlay Stadium (Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte could also be an option if they’re willing to drive a little bit)
• Columbus: Ohio Stadium (Progressive Field and FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, and Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati could also be options if they’re willing to drive a little bit)
• Florida: Marlins Park (if the roof can be opened) or Hard Rock Stadium (would have to be a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Seattle: Husky Stadium, CenturyLink Field, or T-Mobile Park (if the roof can be opened)
• Tampa Bay: Raymond James Stadium (would have to be a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium

And for the teams that have played in an outdoor game, but have yet to host one:

• Anaheim: Angel Stadium
• Montreal: Molson Stadium (and perhaps Olympic Stadium?)
• Nashville: Nissan Stadium or Vanderbilt Stadium
• Ottawa: TD Place Stadium

And venues that have yet to host an outdoor game, for teams that have hosted one:

• Chicago: Guaranteed Rate Field
• Colorado: Broncos Stadium at Mile High
• Dallas: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field
• Detroit: Comerica Park
• Los Angeles: LA Coliseum, Rose Bowl (would have to be a Stadium Series game due to the bowl game of the same name)
• Minnesota: Target Field
• New Jersey/Islanders/Rangers: MetLife Stadium
• San Jose: Oracle Park (Stanford Stadium could also be an option if they’re willing to drive a little bit. Oakland Coliseum is probably too much of a dump to be a realistic option)
• Toronto: Rogers Centre (if the roof can be opened)
• Washington: FedEx Field (Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore could also be options if they’re willing to drive a little bit)

And a few attractive (IMO) neutral venues that haven’t yet hosted an outdoor game:

• Beaver Stadium
• Lambeau Field

Nissan Stadium would not be an option in Nashville for a Winter Classic since they host the Music City Bowl near New Years Day; but would be an obvious Stadium Series option.

One other idea in Nashville after 2022, would be the new MLS stadium being built by the Tennessee State Fairgrounds. It will seat 30,000 and likely offer great views as opposed to a football stadium: Nashville SC release new stadium renderings I would think that a soccer stadium would be a better overall option for a game experience over an event experience in places like San Jose, Columbus, or Seattle since they all have MLS teams and dedicated stadiums.

 

[TheLegend]

Even back in the earlier part of this decade when they were a consistent playoff team, they were still last or in the bottom 3 for attendance. They made it to the WCF in 2012 yet attendance barely improved the next season.

& for people to feel like the NHL owes Arizona another event is laughable. Did they forget the league was the sole reason they haven't been relocated / why they haven't folded? Did they forget about those years where the league either owned the team or prevented people from buying + moving it?

Arizona is the only place where Bettman won’t get booed for a personal appearance) so it’s actually hilarious for someone outside the Arizona market to suggest that fans here don’t understand or appreciate what the league actually did.

The league was protecting its ability to control what markets they wanted to be in. That was the sole reason for keeping the Coyotes in Arizona at that time.

As for why they haven’t moved or folded since? Simple... there were people in line willing to take a chance in making it work.

Alex Meruelo is the first person in the franchise’s history (including its time in Winnipeg) with the financial means to make it work. Team missed the playoffs last year for the seventh straight year yet attendance grew nearly a 1000 per game. This year they’ve had three sellouts already on weekends and are over 15,000 in average. Another 1000 over year so far. Doing it in the portion of the season where attendance is historically at its worst.

Will he be able to turn it all around? That remains to be seen. So far it’s going in the right direction.

But enough with all these talking points that were repeatedly hacked to death for the last ten years in the mega thread.

The discussion here is about outdoor games and who could possibly host one. Arizona was mentioned as a possibility. So unless you’ve got any thing new to add besides trying to make it into a new mega thread discussion full of old stale talking points then we’re done here.

 

[No Fun Shogun]

Blackhawks and Penguins should be next in line.

Again? Maybe if both teams were still in elite contender mode still/again, but that sounds pretty weird to rehash now.

Oh wait, possible sarcasm...

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Just have the Lightning do one on the road please..... an outdoor game at Raymond James is ****ing absurd. Our weather doesn't hold up for it. Don't force something that isn't there and just give us a road game

Dallas is hosting one, I am sure Tampa will be fine.

 

[TheWhiskeyThief]

Yet the Coyotes were rewarded with the 2004 All Star game in spite of what you’ve just said. The lockout cancelled the game and ever since then the feeling in these parts is the NHL owes Arizona another event. But the ownership and arena instabilities have made it impossible for them to commit to it.

OTOH.... Outdoor games aren’t a “reward”. They’re a made for TV money grab. The key will be how much they can get from a matchup that will draw not just local interest but a regional/national audience draw on top of it where the real money is.

The Coyotes by themselves won’t create much draw unless they become a top echelon team on the ice or they’re put up against an opponent who can pull interest from a larger area. That will be the determining factor.

Coyotes have been selling out games of late. Winning and an owner who knows sales can do wonders.

At Sun Devil Stadium it would sell out rather quickly. It’s in the E. Valley, it’s right off the light rail and if you did it during the weekend before the Fiesta Bowl(so long as it doesn’t conflict with the Winter Classic) you would have plenty of people in from out of town.

You could have a 4pm skate before a 5pm local puck drop with nothing but an arizona sunset in the sky. You would need to keep it covered until 3pm, but bone dry air will keep it nice.

 

[Svechhammer]

Looks like the Canes might be hosting one soon

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Vegas at Reno stadium?

 

[JETZZZ]

At this point, I think every team may as well have 1 of their 41 home games be an outdoor game every year (if they choose) .
The novelty is gone for it to be a big national event, may as well make 31 smaller ones that appeal to just the home fans.
No need to create special one-off uniforms, no need for elaborate alumni games, musical acts, just have a simple outdoor game each year and sell a bunch of tickets at an outdoor stadium for extra ticket $$$.

 

[Spydey629]

Possible venue(s) for the teams that have yet to play in an outdoor game:

• Arizona: Sun Devil Stadium, Chase Field (if the roof can be opened), or State Farm Stadium (if the roof can be opened; would also have to be in a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Carolina: Carter-Findlay Stadium (Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte could also be an option if they’re willing to drive a little bit)
• Columbus: Ohio Stadium (Progressive Field and FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, and Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati could also be options if they’re willing to drive a little bit)
• Florida: Marlins Park (if the roof can be opened) or Hard Rock Stadium (would have to be a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Seattle: Husky Stadium, CenturyLink Field, or T-Mobile Park (if the roof can be opened)
• Tampa Bay: Raymond James Stadium (would have to be a year it’s not hosting the Super Bowl)
• Vegas: Sam Boyd Stadium

And for the teams that have played in an outdoor game, but have yet to host one:

• Anaheim: Angel Stadium
• Montreal: Molson Stadium (and perhaps Olympic Stadium?)
• Nashville: Nissan Stadium or Vanderbilt Stadium
• Ottawa: TD Place Stadium

And venues that have yet to host an outdoor game, for teams that have hosted one:

• Chicago: Guaranteed Rate Field
• Colorado: Broncos Stadium at Mile High
• Dallas: AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field
• Detroit: Comerica Park
• Los Angeles: LA Coliseum, Rose Bowl (would have to be a Stadium Series game due to the bowl game of the same name)
• Minnesota: Target Field
• New Jersey/Islanders/Rangers: MetLife Stadium
• San Jose: Oracle Park (Stanford Stadium could also be an option if they’re willing to drive a little bit. Oakland Coliseum is probably too much of a dump to be a realistic option)
• Toronto: Rogers Centre (if the roof can be opened)
• Washington: FedEx Field (Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore could also be options if they’re willing to drive a little bit)

And a few attractive (IMO) neutral venues that haven’t yet hosted an outdoor game:

• Beaver Stadium
• Lambeau Field

I am guessing you want a lot of these venues for a Stadium Series game? Every stadium in the Phoenix area, Charlotte, Hard Rock Stadium, Raymond James, AT&T, Las Vegas, and Nashville all host late-December / January 1st bowl games.

Not to nitpick more than I already have, but PNC Park in Pittsburgh has yet to be used, too.

Lastly, considering the other service academies have all had games, I would think it is only a matter of time before a Stadium Series game is played at West Point.

 

[tony d]

I think Vegas will get an outdoor game before to long.

 

[GindyDraws]

I think Vegas will get an outdoor game before to long.

Sam Boyd is a real shithole though, but UNLV is likely going to still use it due to the Raiders being difficult to work with on scheduling, meaning it will stave off the wrecking ball for a few years.

Unless a MLS team comes and they get an outdoor stadium...

 

[Zenos]

Seems odd that in 16 seasons of outdoor hockey, we've seen both Calgary and Edmonton each play games against the Jets and Canadiens, but not each other.

Battle of Alberta at Commonwealth stadium please.

 

[Yukon Joe]

Seems odd that in 16 seasons of outdoor hockey, we've seen both Calgary and Edmonton each play games against the Jets and Canadiens, but not each other.

Battle of Alberta at Commonwealth stadium please.

And Edmonton invented the whole modern idea of outdoor games way back in 2003, but have not hosted one since. That's not a well you want to go to too often, but I think after 18 years its time for another one...

 

[LadyStanley]

Vegas at Reno stadium?

Never. Reno is 8 hours away from Las Vegas by car.

Sam Boyd is a real ****hole though, but UNLV is likely going to still use it due to the Raiders being difficult to work with on scheduling, meaning it will stave off the wrecking ball for a few years.

Unless a MLS team comes and they get an outdoor stadium...

Cashman FIeld?

I can see Allegiant for a stadium series game, but doubt it'll ever be for a "Winter Classic" game.

Sam Boyd would probably be free for a Winter Classic. But may not have the needed amenities required.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Seems odd that in 16 seasons of outdoor hockey, we've seen both Calgary and Edmonton each play games against the Jets and Canadiens, but not each other.

Battle of Alberta at Commonwealth stadium please.

They have also not had Toronto play any of the other Canadian based teams in the Heritage Classic.

So far they have played in the Winter Classic (2014) @ Detroit, Centennial Classic (2017) vs Detroit and the Stadium Series (2018) @ Washington.

You think Rogers would want Toronto vs Montreal outdoors because of the history or Toronto vs Edmonton to showcase Matthews vs McDavid.

 

[awfulwaffle]

At this point, I think every team may as well have 1 of their 41 home games be an outdoor game every year (if they choose) .
The novelty is gone for it to be a big national event, may as well make 31 smaller ones that appeal to just the home fans.
No need to create special one-off uniforms, no need for elaborate alumni games, musical acts, just have a simple outdoor game each year and sell a bunch of tickets at an outdoor stadium for extra ticket $$$.

Then don't watch. Simple as that.

 

[USAUSA1]

I thought weather was not an issue?

 

[Svechhammer]

Looks like the Hurricanes are hosting the 2021 Stadium Series at Carter-Finley Stadium, which shared parking lots with the PNC Arena. Opponent TBD

The Carolina Hurricanes’ first outdoor hockey game could be officially announced as soon as Saturday during the Air Force Academy Stadium Series game, sources tell ESPN. The 2021 event will be held at Carter-Finley Stadium, N.C. State’s football venue, as part of the NHL Stadium Series. The NHL tested logistics at the stadium last November. According to The News & Observer, a Hurricanes’ funding request indicated the game would be played in January or February. No word on opponent.

 

[JianYang]

At this point, I think every team may as well have 1 of their 41 home games be an outdoor game every year (if they choose) .
The novelty is gone for it to be a big national event, may as well make 31 smaller ones that appeal to just the home fans.
No need to create special one-off uniforms, no need for elaborate alumni games, musical acts, just have a simple outdoor game each year and sell a bunch of tickets at an outdoor stadium for extra ticket $$$.

It was never a big national event. It only seemed that way because the nhl always draws flies on a national scale (in america), and even during peak outdoor interest, the number was still relatively small for a "major" sport.

But yeah, it still seems like a big deal regionally.

 

[Cynicaps]

They have also not had Toronto play any of the other Canadian based teams in the Heritage Classic.

So far they have played in the Winter Classic (2014) @ Detroit, Centennial Classic (2017) vs Detroit and the Stadium Series (2018) @ Washington.

You think Rogers would want Toronto vs Montreal outdoors because of the history or Toronto vs Edmonton to showcase Matthews vs McDavid.

The huge problem is that your only venue suitable for either is BMO Field. Montreal has a unique problem in which its viable outdoor venues (Stade Saputo and Stade Percival Molson) are close in capacity to their own indoor arena which would make hosting any outdoor game a logistical and economic disaster. If memory serves me right, Saputo seats less people than Centre Bell.

If there was a season opening Heritage Classic inside Stade Olympique, you'd fix the capacity issues but at what gain otherwise?

 

[edog37]

And Edmonton invented the whole modern idea of outdoor games way back in 2003, but have not hosted one since. That's not a well you want to go to too often, but I think after 18 years its time for another one...

Michigan State invented the concept in 2001.
Cold War (ice hockey) - Wikipedia

 

[JETZZZ]

Then don't watch. Simple as that.

Well if its not my team, I dont. That was the point I was trying to make

 

[LeafsNation75]

The huge problem is that your only venue suitable for either is BMO Field. Montreal has a unique problem in which its viable outdoor venues (Stade Saputo and Stade Percival Molson) are close in capacity to their own indoor arena which would make hosting any outdoor game a logistical and economic disaster. If memory serves me right, Saputo seats less people than Centre Bell.

If there was a season opening Heritage Classic inside Stade Olympique, you'd fix the capacity issues but at what gain otherwise?

The NHL could easily have a Heritage Classic played at BMO Field between Toronto and Montreal. Plus it wouldn't be the first time they had an outdoor game at the same venue.

The 2011 Winter Classic and 2017 Stadium Series was played at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.