It was always a dream for Utah sports fans to have a third professional franchise in the state. Utah was always known for its pro basketball, soccer, and collegiate victories.
The Utah Jazz built their legendary status through players like John Stockton and Karl Malone.
15 miles south, Real Salt Lake won a championship in 2009, bringing greatness the state hadn’t seen in years. The only thing stopping the market from gaining a third team was its size.
Jazz and Utah Mammoth owner Ryan Smith saw potential in the small market area and helped bring the Arizona Coyotes to Utah. When the Coyotes arrived in 2024, over 34,000 fans flocked to the ticket office to buy season tickets.
After having a successful first season in Utah, the Mammoth continues to make headway in the sports world. On Jan. 7, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced the Winter Classic would be heading to Utah in 2027.
What is the Winter Classic?
The Winter Classic was the creation of Jon Miller, an executive at NBC Sports. He wanted a game that could be played on New Year’s Day in order to fill out TV time. He thought of taking hockey back to its roots by playing a game outside.
At first, he wanted to go to Yankee Stadium and have the New York Rangers play, but they declined his offer. Instead, he turned to the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins to play at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, New York, in 2008.
The game became a smashing success with the outdoor venue and the game’s message of honoring the past. 71,000 individuals attended the first Winter Classic, and ever since 2008, there’s been an outdoor game almost every year.
Besides the fans, NHL teams have embraced the old school concept of the Classic. Teams will create throwback jerseys to commemorate the concept of going back in time. Some throwbacks have become iconic, like the Seattle Kraken or the Detroit Red Wings the years they hosted the big game.
Some may think that the classic is part of the playoffs or a one-off game, but it’s not. Since it’s during the regular season, the outdoor game is part of a team’s win, loss, or overtime loss record.
So, What’s the Big Deal?
Utah is no stranger to hosting big events. Salt Lake City has been home to two NBA All-Star weekends and the 2002 Olympics. However, Utah seems to get a bad rap from sports fans around the nation for being boring or a bad place to live.
Big events have boosted the state’s appeal to fans and players alike. In 2023, the state of Utah gained a 280-million-dollar economic impact from the All-Star game.
That set an NBA record that year for economic impact on a city. The state gained a greater public image from the event, with over 32,046 people visiting to attend the festivities. 77% of those visitors recommend the state as a travel destination.
The Winter Classic can do the same for the state. It is a high honor to host the outdoor game, and it brings the league’s eyes to the Mammoth, its fanbase, and the state of Utah.
“For us to be here so early in the lifetime of the Utah Mammoth is thrilling for us,” stated Bettman emphatically. “Because you [Ryan Smith], and Ashley, and the entire Mammoth organization have done an amazing job of establishing hockey in Salt Lake City.”
The game will showcase the budding rivalry between the unstoppable Colorado Avalanche and the Mammoth. Since Colorado and Utah sports always have heated rivalries, you can bet the game will be well attended.
An Incredible Venue
Rice-Eccles stadium can seat over 51,444 individuals, which fits the average attendance of 50,000 for a Classic. The game itself could bring in 30 million dollars to the city as well, like it did when the Kraken hosted in 2024.
Averaging over a million views over the last few years, the Winter Classic can show how Utah’s hockey community has grown. It also gives a chance to breathe new life into the game, especially with it being in a new place.
It’ll be exciting to see what the Smith and the Mammoth organization do come the Winter Classic. The fans in Utah are going to show up to support their team, and hopefully, a great throwback jersey will be made. Utah has always been a great sports market, and it should be shown off.
The Winter Classic should be a great way to show the rest of the NHL how much the people have embraced hockey in Utah.
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