The Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series is coming to Columbus on March 1, 2025 as the Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. Ohio Stadium, home of the legendary Buckeyes, will be the stage for this historic event, bringing the thrill of outdoor NHL hockey to the state of Ohio for the first time. Get your tickets now for this can’t-miss experience!
Ohio Stadium: A Venue for More Than Just Football
Ohio Stadium has long been a versatile venue, hosting a variety of major events outside of football. In 2024, it welcomed global soccer powerhouses Manchester City and Chelsea F.C. Similarly, in 2016, Paris Saint-Germain faced Real Madrid in another marquee soccer event. Each of these events attracted over 70,000 fans.
Another massive event held at the stadium is the annual Buckeye Country Superfest, which has consistently drawn tens of thousands of fans. The NHL Stadium Series adds another chapter to this legacy of high-profile events.
>> Already planning your game day? Check out our fan guide for pre-game spots, parking info and more.
Be There for The Pre-Game Festivities
Though the puck doesn't drop until 6 p.m., come early for the Honda NHL PreGame starting at 12 p.m. It's the place to be to make your game day experience even better and does NOT require a game ticket to attend. Learn more here.
Ohio's Outdoor Hockey History
With the upcoming outdoor game between the Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus will become the third Ohio city to host an outdoor hockey game, following in the footsteps of Cleveland and Toledo.
Cleveland has a track record of hosting large-scale outdoor hockey games. The Ohio State-Michigan rivalry has graced Cleveland's outdoor venues, including games at FirstEnergy Stadium (now Huntington Bank Field) in 2023 and Progressive Field in 2012.
Toledo’s Fifth Third Field, home of the Mud Hens (Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers), has hosted a number of outdoor games featuring the Toledo Walleye. The Walleye compete in the ECHL, which is the third-highest level of hockey in the country.
Stadium Series vs. Winter Classic
While both are outdoor NHL games, the Stadium Series and Winter Classic are distinct events. The key difference lies in their presentation. The Winter Classic emphasizes tradition and history, often featuring teams in throwback jerseys, a consistent slot around New Year’s Day, and recent games have been hosted in baseball stadiums. The Stadium Series takes a more modern and experimental approach. Its graphics and jerseys lean towards a futuristic aesthetic. Unlike the Winter Classic, it's held in February or March and doesn't follow a recurring theme. Football stadiums, both NFL and college, have been the typical venues for recent Stadium Series games.
A Venue That Roars
Ohio State’s football stadium boasts a seating capacity of over 100,000, dwarfing typical NHL arenas like Nationwide Arena. In fact, you could fit Nationwide Arena’s capacity more than five times into Ohio Stadium!
The sheer size of the Shoe makes it a fitting venue for what is projected to be one of the largest hockey games ever held. The success of the Stadium Series and Winter Classic, which account for six of the top 10 most-attended hockey games, suggests that Ohio Stadium's first outdoor hockey game could also be a record-breaking event.
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