This year’s Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will boast big-name entertainment and a few new wrinkles when the NHL’s outdoor series lands at Wrigley Field on Dec. 31.
The Smashing Pumpkins and Chance the Rapper will perform during the pregame and first intermission, respectively.
“We’re really leaning to Chicago for two bands,” Steve Mayer, NHL president of content and events, said Thursday. The Smashing Pumpkins “will be a big part of the opening introductions for the players.”
The Blackhawks will play host to the Blues wearing vintage sweaters when the puck drops on New Year’s Eve. It’s the second Winter Classic at Wrigley — the first was Jan. 1, 2009, against the Detroit Red Wings — and the third NHL outdoor game in Chicago — the Hawks played the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Stadium Series game on March 1, 2014, at Soldier Field.
Mayer added that the players are going to arrive at Wrigley in “unique ways” that will remain under wraps until game day.
NHL officials strived to keep touches of Chicago and Wrigley in their designs for the converted ice rink.
“The ivy unfortunately doesn’t make it through the year on the outfield wall, so we’ve brought our own ivy into the mix, and it’s a huge part of the overall design,” Mayer said.
The main rink will cover the part of the infield and shallow center. An auxiliary rink will be placed in left field, and right field will serve as space for a New Year’s Eve party.
This will be the first of the 16 Winter Classics to take place before Jan. 1 or 2. Dean Matsuzaki, executive vice president for NHL events, said work to convert the ballpark begins in earnest on Dec. 16.
After a two-day Christmas break, workers will start painting lines and logos, as well as installing decor, the stage for performers and other elements.
“That’s when everything really starts to look like an ice rink out there on the field,” Matsuzaki said.
Inside the ballpark, clubhouses will be converted into NHL locker rooms in time for the Hawks and Blues to practice on Dec. 30. Final pieces and rehearsals will be conducted that night.
Officials expect a capacity crowd for the game.
Meanwhile, the NHL will host a free outdoor fan festival before the game on Dec. 31.
The “NHL PreGame” event will take place from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Cubs parking lot at 1126 W. Grace St. There will be giveaways and food, and the Stanley Cup will be on display and available for photos with fans.
The festival also will include “Puck Drop,” an AI photo opportunity that digitally places fans at center ice, as well as puck shooting, stickhandling and other skill tests. Hawks mascot Tommy Hawk also will make an appearance.
The game will be broadcast on TNT and Max and simulcast on truTV in the U.S. at 4 p.m.
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