Jerseys Released For 2026 NHL Winter Classic
Get ready, hockey fans, because the NHL is cranking up the heat for the 2026 Winter Classic. The league is taking its premier outdoor event to the one place you’d least expect for a game played on ice: sunny South Florida. It’s a bold move, a wild swing, and honestly, it’s the kind of delightful chaos we live for in sports.
On January 2, the Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park, home of MLB’s Miami Marlins. This isn’t just another outdoor game; it’s a history-making, narrative-busting spectacle. It will officially be the southernmost outdoor game ever played in the NHL. You can almost hear the collective gasp from traditionalists shivering in their parkas.
To mark this momentous occasion, the teams have dropped some seriously slick new jerseys, courtesy of Fanatics. Will these jerseys be a big hit?
Panthers Embrace a Throwback Vibe
The Panthers, a franchise born in the late 90s, are going way back in time for their Winter Classic look. They’ve taken their original “leaping panther” logo and given it a 1920s makeover. Imagine if the team had been founded alongside the original six, playing in some drafty, smoke-filled arena. The creative minds at Fanatics, with a nudge from the team’s ownership, handcrafted a felt and chain-stitched logo that feels both nostalgic and brand new.
But the real kicker? The little details. They’ve thrown in a shoulder patch honoring the Florida state flag, but the true gem is a tiny silhouette of a rat on the hem. It’s a hilarious and brilliant nod to the “rat trick” tradition that Panthers fans have cherished for decades. It is the kind of inside joke that makes a jersey an instant classic.
Rangers Celebrate a Century Of Hockey
For the New York Rangers, this game is another chapter in their 100th-season celebration. Their Winter Classic jersey is a clean, off-white masterpiece that serves as the perfect counterpart to the blue Centennial sweaters they’re already sporting. Instead of “Rangers,” the diagonal lettering proudly spells out “New York,” a simple switch that just feels right for a big event.
The coolest Easter egg is the big red apple on the shoulder. This little logo was a subtle detail on their Centennial jerseys, but for the Winter Classic, it’s getting the spotlight it deserves. Apparently, the design team dug this apple out of the archives from an old practice jersey. It is a fantastic way to connect with a piece of history while creating something fresh.
This Winter Classic is more than just a game; it’s a statement. It’s the NHL planting its flag in a non-traditional market and having a blast while doing it. So, grab your sunglasses and your scarves, because hockey in South Florida will be a sight to behold.
