NHL Stadium Series in Arlington, Texas
The NHL Stadium Series is set to take its exciting action to Arlington, Texas, where the Dallas Stars will host a game at the renowned AT&T Stadium on February 20, 2027. This facility, primarily known as the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, boasts a flexible design that allows for an outdoor hockey experience, a long-cherished dream for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones since the stadium opened in 2009.
Significance of the Event
While the opponent for the Dallas Stars is yet to be disclosed, this event marks a significant moment for both the NHL and the local hockey community, which celebrated the return of an outdoor game two years prior at the historic Cotton Bowl.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman expressed his enthusiasm about bringing the Stadium Series to AT&T Stadium, recognizing it as one of the premier sports venues globally.
The local fanbase has shown impressive support for hockey, evidenced by the thrilling Winter Classic held in 2020 when the Stars faced the Nashville Predators. This match not only resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Stars but also attracted a massive crowd of 85,630, marking it as the third-largest in NHL history.
Potential for Record Attendance
Given AT&T Stadium’s standard seating capacity of around 80,000, which can be expanded to accommodate over 100,000 attendees with standing room, there’s real potential for this upcoming game to set new attendance records. Currently, only two other NHL games have seen crowds exceeding 90,000, including last year’s game at Ohio Stadium, which welcomed 94,751 fans, and the record-setting 2014 Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium, which had a staggering 105,491 attendees.
Jerry Jones’ Vision
Jerry Jones shared his pride in hosting the NHL event, emphasizing it fits into the long-term aspirations for AT&T Stadium to host a variety of events beyond just football. The partnership with the Dallas Stars and the NHL promises a fresh and memorable experience for sports fans in North Texas, a region that has welcomed hockey with open arms.
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