Ryan Smith and the Utah Mammoth will host the 2027 NHL Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium. (Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
(Photo courtesy of Isaac Hale, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah will take center stage in the hockey world as Rice-Eccles Stadium hosts the NHL’s 2027 Winter Classic, marking the first time the league’s premier outdoor event comes to the Beehive State.
The Mammoth will host the Colorado Avalanche.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman joined Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith on the University of Utah campus for the momentous announcement.
“I am thrilled to announce that right here in Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Utah Mammoth will host the Discover 2027 Winter Classic,” Bettman began. “We couldn’t be more excited, more thrilled.”
The NHL world is sounding off after it was announced the @utahmammoth will host the @Avalanche in the 2027 @NHL Winter Classic at Rice-Eccles Stadium.https://t.co/y5Fd3b0vII
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 7, 2026
It’s taken less than two years for Smith to establish the franchise as one of the finest in the league.
Smith has been pushing full throttle to make Utah a premier franchise for players and fans alike, and this is just another step in the Utah native’s commitment to the community.
Smith recalled taking Bettman to Rice-Eccles Stadium early in the relocation conversations and emphasizing the grandiosity of his dream.
“This is what we wanted our players to be able to have,” said Smith. “But we also wanted our community to be able to say, ‘this is what hockey culture and the hockey fan base is.’ This is like the ultimate celebration of sport.”
Typically, teams will don unique sweaters for an event of this magnitude, and that will be no different for the Mammoth and Avalanche.
Gary Bettman confirmed that the Utah Mammoth will have a specialty Winter Classic sweater for the event.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 7, 2026
“We generally have special jerseys, new jerseys for the special events, outdoor games,” Bettman stated.
The league has not yet begun creating jerseys or other advertising for the 2027 event.
Part of bringing an NHL game to Rice-Eccles Stadium depends on the concessions available. Specifically, alcohol.
Good news for those who imbibe, beer and seltzer, but not liquor, will be available.
U of U officials confirmed they will be able to sell alcohol at the 2027 Winter Classic.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 7, 2026
While the University of Utah does not sell alcohol at University events, beer and seltzer are allowed at private events.
Utah Auxiliary Services Executive Director Collin Simmons said, “We’re able to sell beer and seltzer for all private events… We’ve done it with multiple concerts over the last three years.”
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.
Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.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.
