NEW YORK – Discover NHL Winter Classic® festivities will begin at the Chicago Cubs Parking Lot at 1126 W Grace Street with the NHL PreGame™, a free fan festival open to the public. On Tuesday, Dec. 31, the NHL® and its corporate partners will treat hockey fans to many fun interactions and experiences, including family-friendly hockey interactives, giveaways, food, and a special appearance by the oldest and most revered trophy in sports – the Stanley Cup®.
The outdoor fan festival will serve as a preview of the Discover NHL Winter Classic, the much-anticipated outdoor game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field on Dec. 31. The Discover NHL Winter Classic will be broadcast on TNT and Max and simulcast on truTV in the U.S. and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada (5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT). A Discover NHL Winter Classic game ticket is not required for entry into the NHL PreGame.
WHAT:
NHL PreGame
WHEN:
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT
WHERE:
Chicago Cubs Parking Lot
1126 W Grace Street
Chicago, IL 60613
The following hockey-themed experiences presented by more than a dozen NHL partners to engage fans will be free and open to the public during NHL PreGame operating hours:
- AstraZeneca: Fans can stop by the Hatty Trick Challenge presented by AstraZeneca to test their shooting skills and score their very own hat trick. Don’t miss the chance to pick up limited-edition Hockey Fights Cancer trading cards as well as honor loved ones affected by cancer by including them on “I fight for” stickers. AstraZeneca is an official partner of Hockey Fights Cancer™, a joint initiative of the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association powered by the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
- BODYARMOR: BODYARMOR will give fans the chance to show their skills by shooting pucks into the net while aiming for the targets! Make sure to also try a free sample of BODYARMOR to help hydrate.
- CAT: We know that a commitment to excellence means There’s No Off-Season. It’s an attitude that Cat customers and NHL players share. Within the Caterpillar space fans will win prizes, get Cat merch, meet NHL players, and more. Caterpillar celebrates the work you do and the journey you’re taking to reach your goals both on and off the ice. #TheresNoOffSeason
- Chicago Blackhawks: The Chicago Blackhawks will have photo opportunities, giveaways and interactive fan games at the NHL PreGame. There will also be a special appearance by Blackhawks mascot Tommy Hawk.
- Discover: The Discover 'Puck Drop' Experience will feature a fun and immersive footprint for fans to take part in. The experience will feature an AI photo opportunity allowing visitors a chance to stand at center ice for a puck drop with one of Chicago’s iconic landmarks as the backdrop. Premium giveaways will be available to fans on a first come, first served basis, as well as NHL Winter Classic memorabilia to explore. The experience will also host special guests. This year's centerpiece of the 'Puck Drop' Experience is Discover's oversized air hockey table where fans can challenge their friends and family to a memorable game of air hockey.
- DraftKings: Fans 21 and older can stop by the DraftKings tent on Tuesday, December 31, for special promotions, giveaways, and NHL Winter Classic offerings.
- Energizer: Fans can head over to Energizer’s Power Shot activation to test how fast their slapshot is and get their very own pair of Energizer bunny ears! Energizer, Official Battery of the NHL. #StillGoing!™
- Fanatics: Visit the Official Merchandise trailer for a great selection of Discover NHL Winter Classic jerseys, apparel, headwear, and souvenirs.
- GEICO: GEICO is excited to debut the Fan Advantage Hall of Fans. The NHL Winter Classic is a celebration of all things hockey, and the Hall of Fans will celebrate the fan. With photo opportunities, official Hockey Hall of Fame memorabilia, and plenty of surprises along the way, the GEICO Fan Advantage Hall of Fans experience will showcase and reward the most passionate fans. This NHL Winter Classic you’ll get more out of your hockey fandom, just like you get more with GEICO.
- Great Clips: Practice like the pros and test your stick skills by shooting pucks into a stacked washer and dryer unit at Target Practice presented by Great Clips, Official Hair Salon of the NHL. You can also check your flow with Great Clips ahead of the game with haircare giveaways and haircut coupons.
- Honda: Honda, the official automotive partner of the NHL in the U.S. will have the all-new 2026 Passport TrailSport – the most capable and adventure-ready Honda SUV ever - and the Honda CR-V Sport Touring Hybrid – on display at the NHL PreGame. Fans can stop by the Honda activation to show off their hockey skills for a chance to win a fun prize.
- Jersey Mike's: Jersey Mike's will bring an interactive gaming experience to hockey fans featuring sub sandwich sampling, digital air hockey, augmented-reality photo opportunities, sweepstakes and more. This on-site activation will allow fans to interact with the brand in a meaningful way.
- Navy Federal Credit Union: Visit the Navy Federal Credit Union hockey activation to test your range and accuracy at its Hockey Shot Challenge and for your chance to look like the pros while taking your picture in its Hockey Player Photo Opportunity!
- NHL Fan Access™: Exciting news – NHL Fan Access™ can now be found within the NHL App! Fans will still have access to maps, schedules, the “Ask Stanley” virtual assistant, opportunities to win prizes, and much more, just all in a new place. Fans are encouraged to download the NHL App today and tap on the recognizable Fan Access logo to learn more!
- NHL Network: NHL Network will give fans the chance to test their shooting skills with a target inflatable. NHL Network is your 24/7 home for hockey. All day. Everyday. For the complete programming schedule visit NHLNetwork.com.
- Pepsi: The NHL Winter Classic is Better With Pepsi! Visit the Pepsi booth to test your luck at a skee hockey game for the chance to win prizes, drink free Pepsi samples, and capture a picture with a life-sized hockey puck display.
- Preston Art + Designs: S. Preston is an NHL-licensed sport artist specializing in creative, minimalist hocky illustrations of famous iconic moments, arenas and mascots. He will be on site displaying his limited-edition artwork for this year’s Discover NHL Winter Classic along with other pieces in his collection.
- Stanley Cup Display: Fans can take a photo with the most iconic trophy in professional sports during NHL PreGame operating hours.
- Ticketmaster: Fans can visit the Ticketmaster Bullseye Battle activation to show off their wrist shots by aiming to shoot their puck through the Ticketmaster “t”!
- Upper Deck: Get your own personalized NHL Winter Classic trading card from Upper Deck, the exclusive trading card partner of the NHL. Collect a FREE NHL Winter Classic digital trading card set at UpperDeckEpack.com, the innovative platform that allows users to buy, open, collect and trade with hockey fans from around the world. Visit the Upper Deck booth for more information.
- Verizon: Verizon invites fans to the NHL PreGame where they can enjoy a warm treat, charge their phones, take part in an exclusive photo opportunity and have a chance to win exciting prizes!
Note to Media: To coordinate media access or arrange live shots from the NHL PreGame during operating hours, please contact Brad Klein (C: 347-380-2993, [email protected]) and Chris Madigan (C: 203-918-1652, [email protected]).
Media previews of the NHL PreGame before it opens to the public are available on Monday, Dec. 30 from 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT and on Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. CT. If interested in media previews, please contact the above media contacts.
All fans will be required to go through metal detectors upon entry into the NHL PreGame. Backpacks (including clear backpacks), hard-sided coolers (regardless of size), and bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches are not permitted at the NHL PreGame or Wrigley Field. Exceptions will be made for medical bags and diaper bags that accompany guests with young children. Bags are subject to inspection. For the most up-to-date schedule of events, map of the NHL PreGame, virtual games, and opportunities to win prizes, fans should visitNHL.com/PreGame. Fans should also download the NHL App before coming to the NHL PreGame to best enjoy all of the on-site activities through the Fan Access section.
Fans can join the conversation on social media by including the use of the NHL hashtag #WinterClassic. A limited number of Discover NHL Winter Classic tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com.
