Last month may have felt like winter at Citi Field, but wait to New Year’s Day.
The NHL officially announced today the long rumored 2018 Winter Classic will take place at the Mets’ home field with the Rangers taking on the Buffalo Sabres.
“We are thrilled and excited to host the 2018 NHL Winter Classic between the Rangers and Sabres and thank Commissioner Bettman for his support in choosing Citi Field,” said Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon. “We look forward to providing the hockey fans in our city and state a unique setting to experience this marquee match-up and adding it to the list of unique events we have been able to bring to the ballpark.”
The 10th Winter Classic and second one for both the Rangers and the Sabres with Buffalo hosting the first classic in 2008, while the Rangers played the Flyers at Citizens Bank Park in 2012. It will be considered a Sabres home game, because of the Blueshirts contract with the city, which requires them playing all their home games at Madison Square Garden.
“The New York Rangers are honored to once again be a part of one of the NHL’s signature events,” said New York Rangers President Glen Sather. “The Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic represents everything that is great about our game. Playing in the Winter Classic and Stadium Series in recent years was a tremendous experience for our organization and we look forward to yet another opportunity to celebrate the game of hockey, together with all our fans, in New York City.”
However, this won’t be the first-time outdoor games were played in the city, as the Rangers played both the Devils and Islanders in the Stadium Series back in January of 2014 at Yankee Stadium.
The game is schedule for 1 p.m. on Jan. 1 and will be broadcast on NBC.
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