Rumors of the 2027 NHL Winter Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway
A recent speculation that the 2027 NHL Winter Classic might take place at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) featuring a match between the Nashville Predators and the Carolina Hurricanes has been officially dismissed. This rumor gained traction following a Reddit post that circulated a screenshot from NHL.com promoting an event titled “Discover NHL Winter Classic” at the speedway in Bristol, Tennessee. An image accompanying the announcement showed the renowned BMS finish line adorned with the logos of both teams.
Clarification from BMS President
Bob Pockrass, a motorsports journalist for Fox Sports, reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Jerry Caldwell, the president of BMS, has clarified that these claims are not true. Caldwell stated:
“BMS is always interested in unique large-scale events. The reports of a scheduled event with the NHL at BMS are inaccurate, but we do look forward to welcoming fans back to The Last Great Colosseum for the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 12.”
Historical Context and Future Possibilities
This announcement came shortly after the NHL successfully held the 2026 Winter Classic on January 1, where the Florida Panthers faced the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park in Miami, with the Rangers victorious in a 5-1 game. Although the current rumor seems unlikely, there is some historical context to support the speculation. Back in August, while the MLB hosted a game between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds at BMS, it was noted that NHL officials were present, indicating the speedway’s growing interest in hosting hockey matches as well as WWE events.
The BMS has a rich history of accommodating numerous sporting events, including a notable NFL game in 1961 between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Redskins and two college football matchups in 2013 featuring teams like Tennessee and Virginia Tech. If hockey were to be played at this venue, it could potentially break attendance records in the NHL, given that BMS can seat nearly 150,000 fans. Located about four hours east of Nashville, the city of Bristol has drawn attention for its capacity to host significant sporting events.
Nashville Predators’ Outdoor Game History
To date, the Nashville Predators have participated in two outdoor games: the 2022 Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, and the 2020 Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
