The Chicago Blackhawks Will Host The Winter Classic At Wrigley Field For The Venue's Second Time Next Season

The Blackhawks are set to host the NHL's premier outdoor game at Wrigley Field in the 2024-25 season, facing off against the Blues. Despite the Hawks' struggles this season, the emergence of rookie sensation Connor Bedard has significantly boosted television viewership, prompting the league and its TNT broadcast partner to prioritize showcasing him on the grandest stage possible.

This season's Winter Classic, where fans saw the Kraken triumph over the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Jan. 1, registered lower TV ratings compared to Bedard's NHL debut on Oct. 10. This marked the first time since the inception of the Winter Classic in 2008 that it did not hold the title of the most-watched regular-season game.

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson remarked, "My last outdoor-game memory was playing outdoor hockey when I was a kid, so it’s an exciting opportunity."

The upcoming Winter Classic will mark the Hawks' third time hosting the event and their fifth participation overall, surpassing the Bruins for the most appearances by any franchise. The NHL is expected to make an official announcement regarding this matter on Wednesday.

In previous Winter classics, the Hawks hosted the Red Wings at Wrigley Field in 2009, visited the Capitals at Nationals Park in Washington in 2015, visited the Blues at Busch Stadium in St. Louis in 2017, and hosted the Bruins at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana in 2019, losing all four games.

The Blackhawks have participated in two other outdoor Stadium Series events, defeating the Penguins at Soldier Field in 2014, and playing against the Wild at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in 2016. Looking ahead to next winter, the Hawks' roster is expected to undergo significant changes, but with a young team likely still in development, they may struggle to break their Winter Classic losing streak.

​While the Blues, being a regional rival, make for a logical opponent, they themselves might not be strong playoff contenders. However, the matchup could enhance their chances.

The selection of Wrigley Field, one of North America's most iconic sports venues, for the Winter Classic underscores its timeless appeal and picturesque setting. It will become the second venue to host multiple Winter Classics, following Boston's Fenway Park, which hosted in 2010 and 2023. Extensive renovations and modernization efforts undertaken in and around Wrigley over the past 15 years are expected to enhance the overall fan experience for this upcoming event.