With the Blackhawks still reeling from the firing of head coach Luke Richardson Thursday, the NHL took Chicago’s minds off the sudden sense of uncertainty by releasing a preview of how Wrigley Field will be set up for the 2025 Winter Classic, as well as other festivities and performances planned for that day.
“This year’s hottest New Year’s Eve party” will feature the Blackhawks and Blues on ice at a uniquely Chicago-inspired field at Wrigley. The “Ivy and Bridges”-themed field draws inspiration from some of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks and features.
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The rink will be placed on top of a representation of the frozen Chicago River at the center of Wrigley Field, with park sidewalks and bridges surrounding it. A separate ice sheet will be created in left field for local youth hockey players. Out in right field, attendees in black-tie attire will ring in the new year with a New Year’s Eve celebration. The entire design incorporates features like Wrigley’s brick and ivy-covered outfield walls, city parks and more.
In addition, the league announced that Smashing Pumpkins will perform before the game and Chance the Rapper will perform during the first intermission.
While the game itself will begin at 4 p.m., the festivities will begin much earlier. The NHL will host a Winter Classic Fan Festival across the street from Wrigley Field from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which will be free to all fans. The festival “will offer fans of all ages family-friendly hockey interactive games, special appearances, and the opportunity to take a picture with the greatest trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup,” according to the NHL.
Wrigley Field will be hosting the Winter Classic for the second time, the first taking place back in 2009. A few weeks ago, the league officially confirmed the previously leaked uniform designs that both teams will wear. The Blackhawks’ will feature a “classic lace-neck collar,” stitched pinstripes in the back, brown gloves, and a “Chicago” wordmark on the shorts. It’s the first time Chicago will be in home red in its fifth appearance in the Winter Classic. They’re 0-4 thus far, so the Blackhawks will look to finally get in the win column this time around. Even if they don’t, it sounds like this year’s Winter Classic will be one heck of a party.
