Mammoth to host Avalanche in 2027 Winter Classic

Originally posted on Daily Faceoff | By Tyler Kuehl | Last updated Jan 7, 2026 7:21 PM ET

One of the league’s “newer” teams is going to be taking things outside.

On Monday, it was announced that the Utah Mammoth will be hosting the 2027 NHL Winter Classic.

The game, set to take place next season, will feature the Mammoth take on the Colorado Avalanche at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

It will be part of just the third season for the franchise in the Beehive State, marking a notable milestone for a team that has become popular in the area and around the NHL.

At SEG our goal is to bring great things and build Utah. This is one of those things. The 18th Winter Classic coming to Utah in our 3rd year in the NHL. Couldn’t be more excited! Big things ahead! #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/wMJLaIzDEz
— Ryan Smith (@RyanQualtrics) January 7, 2026

Next year’s game will mark the 18th edition of the Winter Classic. The tradition, which began in 2008, has been a staple on the league’s calendar, with the game only being withheld from the schedule in 2013 (lockout) and 2021 (COVID-19). The game at the Utah Utes’ usual home will also mark a return to a true winter climate. This year’s Winter Classic took place in Miami, where the New York Rangers hammered the Florida Panthers, 5-1, at loanDepot Park, the home of the MLB’s Miami Marlins.

While this will be the first time the Mammoth will play a game without a roof, the Avalanche will be playing outside for the fourth time in franchise history, though it will be their first Winter Classic. Colorado hosted the 2016 and 2020 Stadium Series, before playing in the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe in 2021. The Avs are 3-0 in those events.

The Mammoth, formerly the Arizona Coyotes, are one of the competitive teams in the Central Division and in the Western Conference. Heading into Wednesday night’s action, Utah (20-20-3) sits fourth in the division, just three points back of the last Wild Card spot in the West.

This article first appeared on Daily Faceoff and was syndicated with permission.

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