The NHL has sparked excitement by hinting at an upcoming Heritage Classic outdoor game in Winnipeg. The match is expected to feature the Winnipeg Jets taking on the Montreal Canadiens.
Details of the Potential Event
An initial announcement indicated that the Heritage Classic would be held on October 25, 2026, at Princess Auto Stadium, the home ground of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. However, this information was quickly removed from NHL’s social media channels.
Despite the removal, the news garnered significant attention, with fans sharing the announcement widely. Yet, a Google search revealed a link that directed users to the Jets’ official homepage, which currently contains no details on the Heritage Classic.
Confirmation Status
True North Sports and Entertainment, the organization that owns the Jets, has neither confirmed nor denied the event’s occurrence. However, sources suggest that an official announcement could be made soon, possibly this weekend.
A Brief History of the Heritage Classic
The Heritage Classic is a notable event in the NHL’s calendar. It began in 2003 with the Edmonton Oilers hosting the first outdoor game in league history. To date, there have been seven Heritage Classics, all hosted in Canada, with the most recent one occurring in 2023.
- The Winnipeg Jets have participated in three Heritage Classics.
- The Montreal Canadiens have participated in five.
- The 2016 Heritage Classic saw the Jets face the Edmonton Oilers at Investors Group Field.
Significant Past Matches
During the 2016 Heritage Classic, the Jets lost to the Oilers, 3-0. They later played a match against the Calgary Flames at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, where they won 2-1 in overtime.
Weather conditions played a significant role in past events. For instance, the 2016 game experienced a nearly two-hour delay due to sun glare. On that day, temperatures reached 10°C
Alumni games also accompany these events. In 2016, legacies were honored as NHL greats participated in an outdoor game, featuring legends like Wayne Gretzky and Teemu Selanne.
As interest in this potential Winnipeg outdoor game builds, fans await further developments and an official announcement from the NHL.
