Copyright Essentially Sports
Ever wondered how big a hockey game can get? For context, the 2014 NHL Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs drew a crowd of 105,491 at Michigan Stadium. It briefly surpassed the previous record set by the 2010 “Big Chill at the Big House” college hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State, which had an official attendance of 104,173. While reaching such staggering numbers remains a dream for the NHL, the 2027 Stadium Series looks set to make the most of its grand stage, as it heads to the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. This surprise announcement was made on Monday by the NHL, stating that the Dallas Stars will be hosting a 2027 Stadium Series matchup at the NFL-based venue on Feb. 20, 2027. “The National Hockey League is thrilled to bring the spectacle of an NHL Stadium Series game to Arlington and one of the world’s most spectacular sports settings, AT&T Stadium,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement. Hosting an outdoor hockey game at a venue like AT&T Stadium has been a dream for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ever since the stadium opened in 2009. So, it’s only natural to see the excitement surrounding the partnership between two of North Texas’ biggest franchises that come together to create another unique fan experience. This is quite reminiscent of the 2020 NHL Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl, as North Texas has surely proven itself to be a region that embraces hockey with remarkable enthusiasm. Then again, the reaction from the netizens portrays a rather different story. While some are happy, others have mixed feelings. Like this one fan took to X and wrote, “Most of those people will be watching on the scoreboard. Some places are just not meant for hockey.” Others also followed suit, with one adding, “No good seat in the house.” Then again, the excitement of the few cannot be stated through words, as one wrote, “THIS WILL BE EPIC! Can’t wait.”
