Ohio Stadium Being Considered for NHL Winter Classic Game Featuring Blue Jackets

Ohio Stadium is in the mix to host a future NHL Winter Classic outdoor game featuring the hometown Blue Jackets, according to a report from The Columbus Dispatch.

According to the report, NHL representatives were on site to witness Ohio State football’s win over Michigan State last Saturday to perform a site survey for a potential hockey event in the stadium at a future date.

“We remain very interested in and excited about hosting an outdoor game, and have had numerous discussions with the NHL and Ohio State about doing so,” Blue Jackets spokesman Todd Sharrock told The Dispatch. “Those discussions are continuing.”

Ohio State football’s Ohio Stadium is being considered for a future NHL Winter Classic game, likely featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network

The NHL has previously looked into having Ohio Stadium host a Winter Classic game, but Ohio State’s concerns about the cost of winterizing the stadium has been the main hold-up to a game being played outdoors in Columbus.

The Blue Jackets are one of four NHL teams that have not participated in an outdoor game, along with the Coyotes, Kraken and Panthers.

While it’s unclear when the NHL could make a decision on hosting an outdoor game in Columbus, it appears that it is on the docket to be determined sooner rather than later.