SALT LAKE CITY – The NHL is bringing its biggest outdoor spectacle to the Wasatch Front in the form of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic. The Mammoth will host the Colorado Avalanche in the 17th iteration of the event.
Partnering with Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith, the NHL is turning the University of Utah campus into hockey’s grand stage, promising a breathtaking backdrop and a historic moment for fans in the Beehive State.
Social media is trumpeting with delight after learning the snow-capped Wasatch range will be the backdrop for the 18th Winter Classic ever.
This will be the first time Utah has hosted one of the league’s preeminent events.
NHL gifts 2027 Winter Classic to Utah Mammoth
Learn more about the Winter Classic and the history of the event ➡️ https://t.co/sbWu5i4bVx
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 7, 2026
BREAKING: The Utah Mammoth will host the 2027 Winter Classic against the Colorado Avalanche.#TusksUp #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/mbtjmOhd0p
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 7, 2026
THE 2027 WINTER CLASSIC IS HEADING TO UTAH ❄️🏔️ pic.twitter.com/bcmJnqBZL7
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 7, 2026
The 2027 Winter Classic — the Colorado Avalanche vs. Utah Mammoth
Rice-Eccles Stadium / Salt Lake City, Utah 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/syJHcche81
— PuckEmpire (@puckempire) January 7, 2026
Looks like it’s a mountain rivalry for next year’s Winter Classic.#TusksUp #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/dxneNaBG5O
— Brogan Houston (@houston_brogan) January 7, 2026
Say hello to THE SCENE!
So incredibly stoked to watch the @utahmammoth and @Avalanche in 2027’s Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles!!!!
Battle of The Rockies 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/ienRD43GXC
— Kim Becker (@kimberlyjbecker) January 8, 2026
Fun fact: With this upcoming Winter Classic, all 32 NHL franchises will have played in an outdoor game. #TusksUp
— Chase Beardsley (@ChaseBeardsley_) January 7, 2026
Avalanche make it official: Avs/Mammoth at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the Winter Classic in 2027.
No date has been announced for the game yet.
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) January 7, 2026
This Rocky Mountain Rivalry is heading outside 🏔️
We will take on the Utah Mammoth in the 2027 NHL Winter Classic! pic.twitter.com/WwjFadTikE
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) January 7, 2026
2027 Winter Classic in Utah will see the Mammoth take on the Colorado Avalanche. pic.twitter.com/XsYtaFco9e
— Dobber (@DobberHockey) January 7, 2026
Winter Classic 2027!🦣🏔️ https://t.co/QaSSa0ZoWU
— Tusky (@TuskyNHL) January 7, 2026
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2026
Mammoth and Avs for 2027 Winter Classic!
— Tom Callahan 🇺🇦 – 🦋 at TomTalks (@CallahanOnAir) January 7, 2026
Mammoth to host Avalanche in 2027 Discover NHL Winter Classic at University of Utah https://t.co/Bk0mLfLsp1
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 7, 2026
The NHL announces that the 2027 Winter Classic will take place at the University of Utah’s football stadium between the Utah Mammoth and the Colorado Avalanche.
This dispels any rumors about the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes playing at Bristol Motor Speedway.… pic.twitter.com/XMGd1lnp7u
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 7, 2026
The 2027 NHL Winter Classic marks the first time the Avs will play in the event and will be the 4th ever outdoor game the franchise plays in as well as the first one they’ll compete as the visiting team. https://t.co/ifZ7p7Q8qx
— Meghan Angley (@megangley) January 7, 2026
The 2027 Winter Classic is set.
How we feeling about Utah vs Colorado? pic.twitter.com/zdVRE1Ehqt
— Big Head Hockey (@bigheadhockey) January 7, 2026
Now THIS is a Winter Classic site https://t.co/qjr87HK9RL
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) January 7, 2026
What is the Winter Classic?
Since 2008, the National Hockey League has hosted a collection of outdoor games headlined by the annual Winter Classic.
Normally hosted on New Year’s Day, two teams are selected to participate in a marquee outdoor hockey game.
In the past, cities such as Buffalo, Philadelphia, Boston, Pittsburgh, Ann Arbor, and Seattle have hosted the extraordinary event.
In 2026, the NHL experimented with a different approach as the Florida Panthers hosted the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
In 2014, the NHL also introduced the Stadium Series to add even more annual outdoor games to the league’s schedule.
However, these differ from the Winter Classic as they serve as more of a supporting event to reach additional markets, as opposed to the Winter Classic, which is the primary outdoor game for the calendar year.
The Winter Classic will now return to a true winter setting as Salt Lake City prepares to welcome the prestigious outdoor event next year.
Follow the Utah Mammoth with KSL Sports
Follow the entire 2025-26 Utah Mammoth schedule here.
The Smith Entertainment Group’s (SEG) streaming platform will also continue to carry all Mammoth games on SEG+ in 2025-26.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
All Mammoth games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) also airs Jazz games.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
