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Panthers-Rangers Winter Classic Heads to Miami With Manufactured Snow

Dual refrigeration and a thicker ice sheet underpin the NHL’s warm‑weather experiment.

Overview

  • The rink inside loanDepot Park is built with aluminum pans, two mobile refrigeration units circulating glycol, and an ice surface about 2–2.5 inches thick after a sealed, air‑conditioned construction phase.
  • Organizers confirmed artificial snow will fall on some spectators as part of a “winter meets summer” production that places a Miami beach set on one side of the field and a snowy tableau on the other.
  • The retractable roof is planned to be open for the game, with puck drop set for shortly after 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Jan. 2.
  • U.S. coverage will air nationally on TNT, TruTV and HBO Max, with an expected crowd of more than 30,000 in attendance.
  • It will be the first NHL outdoor game in Florida and the southern-most in league history, drawing mixed fan reaction as the Rangers arrive 5-0 in previous outdoor games and the Panthers make their outdoor debut.