2025 Stadium Series – The NHL outdoor games are carefully themed to intertwine fan engagement with live entertainment, combining several tried and true elements to enrich the experience with a umber of value-added sponsor participation opportunities. The experience has evolved to be a leading offering in the live sports entertainment space.
This year, the NHL has planned a remarkable game day line-up to accompany the Stadium Series game in Columbus, Ohio.
Whether it be locally-based rock band Heart headlining the entertainment for the 2024 Winter Classic in Seattle or Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley at the 2022 Stadium Series in Nashville, the league seems to hit the mark every single time.
This year is now different, too, with multiple musical acts in several venues coupled with traditional elements to the Ohio Stadium game day experience.
Platinum-certified band O.A.R. will headline the NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally with a free concert at St. John Arena before the Blue Jackets and Red Wings face off inside historic Ohio Stadium on Saturday, March 1st. The NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally will be free and open to the public with first-come, first-served seating. The concert will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET.
O.A.R., whose members are OSU alumni, will be joined by the OSU Athletic Band and the university’s award-winning Spirit team, which consists of cheer and dance, bringing the high-energy enthusiasm of OSU game day traditions to fans before the outdoor ice hockey game.
In a highly-anticipated tradition, the arrival and entrance of the competing players to the venue is sure to garner great interest, but this year, there is a twist.
Columbus Blue Jackets players will make their first stop at St. John Arena before the ceremonious walk over to Ohio Stadium, a distance of about a quarter mile. No wonder what the home team has decided to wear, but my guess is something along the lines of a pit crew ensemble to align with the automotive-inspired uniforms they will sport in the game.
Among my favorites in recent years, Seattle’s fish monger ensemble at the 2024 Winter Classic in Seattle and the 1920s period wise-guy attire sported by Boston and Chicago at the 2019 Winter Classic in South Bend, Indiana at Notre Dame Stadium.
Just after the entrance and leading up to puck drop,
Once the first frame is complete, Twenty One Pilots will give a special intermission performance.
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Twenty One Pilots are currently on a world tour to support their seventh studio album, Clancy. Lead vocalist Tyler Joseph, who attended Ohio State University, and drummer Josh Dun will return to their home state to perform. Portions of their performance will be featured in the game broadcast.
Stay tuned to the latest news in this fantastic Winter event over the next few days. The build-up continues.
Dennis Morrell has developed a deeply rooted passion for our game over many decades as a goaltender, writer, photographer, goalie coach, and active Level 3 USA Hockey-certified, on-ice official with over 2,500 games with the whistle. His passion for the game began in the early 70s upon his first glance at players battling for the puck at Clayton’s Shaw Park.
And yes, the ice is perfect.
He has been fortunate to journalistically cover 2 NHL Entry Drafts, 5 NHL All-Star Games, 8 NHL Outdoor Games in two countries and 25 games played in the context of 10 Stanley Cup Final series, witnessing the oldest trophy in sports lifted by the champion 4 times, including when his beloved hometown team, the St. Louis Blues, won their first chalice in 2019.
He has witnessed over 1,000 major and minor professional games in over 250 different arenas. He can be reached at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter at DMMORRELL.
