CHICAGO — Wrigley Field will be the site of an epic New Year's celebration as part of the Discover NHL Winter Classic outdoor hockey game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Cardinals. Louis Blues, featuring musical performances by hometown artists Chance The Rapper and The Smashing Pumpkins, appearances by Blackhawks and Blues legends, an on-field party featuring a DJ and revelers, and the year 2025 ringing around the world throughout the game. The December 31 game will kick off at 4pm CT/5pm ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS).
Legendary alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins will kick off the festivities. The Chicago-formed band, consisting of original members Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha, will perform some of their greatest hits, including “Tonight, Tonight,” before the game and during player introductions. Since their founding, The Smashing Pumpkins have sold over 30 million albums worldwide and have won two Grammy Awards, seven MTV VMA Awards, and an American Music Award. The band recently released their thirteenth studio album, Aghori Mhori Mei, and continue to add to their prolific catalog.
Jim Cornelison, the Blackhawks' anthem singer since the 2008-2009 season, will perform the American national anthem, accompanied by organist Carrie Marcotte. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided as part of the league's partnership with PXP, with Nathaniel Kelly serving as Deaf performer and Samantha Taplin serving as ASL interpreter.
Members of the Army and Air Force ROTC from several Chicago area universities will present the colors, and members of the U.S. Coast Guard from bases throughout Illinois will raise the American flag. The opening ceremony will conclude with a flyover featuring four Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft from the 104th Fighter Squadron, 175th Wing of the Maryland Air National Guard. Hockey Hall of Famers and beloved Blackhawks alumni Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenicke and Denis Savard will take the ice for the ceremonial puck drop.
Grammy Award-winning artist Chance The Rapper will headline Ticketmaster's first halftime performance. In the game, the Chicago-born artist will be honored with his first RIAA Diamond Award for “I'm the One,” his chart-topping collaboration with DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne and Quavo — making him the first independent solo artist to achieve this feat. .
New Year's Eve partygoers will be celebrating throughout the game as cities around the world ring in the New Year. During the second intermission, New Year's Eve festivities will take over and turn the court into a dance party hosted by DJ Oreo, a mainstay of the Chicago music scene.
Also during the second intermission, the league will kick off its 2025 celebrations by highlighting the Blackhawks and Blues' first- and second-quarter teams of the century. The NHL's Quarter-Century Teams honor the best players of the past 25 years.
Throughout the game, the left field auxiliary rink will host youth hockey players, ages 4-12, who are part of the NHL/NHLPA's “Learn to Play” program in the Chicagoland area. The field design for the Discover NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field will depict the frozen waterways, park sidewalks and bridges surrounding the rink and a festive holiday atmosphere.
For the latest schedule of events, information about appearances and fan reminders, fans should visit NHL.com/WinterClassic. For all the NHL Winter Classic news, follow @NHL and @PR_NHL and join the conversation using the official hashtag #WinterClassic.
