27 Dec
The National hockey League (NHL) holds the NHL Winter Classic on or around New Year’s Day since 2008. Traditionally it is played outdoors but a regular season game. Until 2014 game, it was an all American contest. For 2014 NHL Winter Classic, it will be between Toronto Maple Leafs against Detroit Red Wings to be played at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor. It was a reschedule of 2013 game which was cancelled due to the lockout. Therefore, an unprecedented crowed expected to watch the game at the stadium as well as on TV.
The first Winter Classic was held on January 1, 2008 at the Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York between Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins where Penguins won in shootout. The last Winter Classic was at the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvanian between Toronto and Detroit where Toronto Maple Leafs won 3-2 in a shootout.
The Winter Classic brings additional ratings to the game and provides much needed boost to outdoor hockey games. College and university level games also benefits from the Winter Classic popularity. Attendance and ratings are fairly high in the U.S. but popularity is gradually sliding in Canada.