James Duthie drops brutally honest take on NHL's plan to host two outdoor games in 2026, including Winter Classic Miami

James Duthie discussed the NHL’s plan to host two outdoor games in 2026 including the Winter Classic game. He spoke on "First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo," where Duthie said he feels indifferent about these games.

Duthie believes that outdoor games have become local events, exciting only for fans in the host markets.

"Complete and utter apathy. I just don't care." Duthie said, "Look, I don't have disdain for the outdoor games. I think they're, they long ago became localized events, which means they're big in the markets that they're in. And I think that's great. I think once a while is cool, like the Wrigley Field thing there. I didn't, watched about five minutes on this again, because we're doing juniors, but I think it's kind of neat.

"But, you know, they turn this into an annual thing, which is great, but it's, it just lost all, all sort of excitement, except, again, in the markets they're in."

The NHL plans to host the Winter Classic in Miami on January 2, 2026. The Florida Panthers will play the New York Rangers at LoanDepot Park. This will be the southernmost outdoor game in NHL history, surpassing the 2020 Winter Classic in Dallas, Texas.

Duthie acknowledged the NHL’s improved ice-making technology. He said it makes hosting games in warm climates possible. However, he believes the annual outdoor events have lost their original excitement.

"Now ... how is this in Florida?" Duthie said, "I guess they've just, you know, they've gotten so good with the ice stuff.

"If you take it back to the first outdoor games, and there was always sheer panic that they weren't able to play. And delays because they hadn't figured out the delays, because they hadn't figured out the ice. But obviously they figured out the ice if they're gonna be able to do this."

While popular in host cities, the events may need changes to regain wider excitement.

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More details about Winter Classic 2026 in Miami

The Winter Classic will be broadcast exclusively on TNT in the United States. Panthers season ticket holders for the 2025–26 season will get priority access to tickets. More ticket details will be announced later.

Florida will become the 19th U.S. state to host an outdoor NHL game. The Panthers will also join 30 other teams that have played outdoors.

The NHL hopes the Miami Winter Classic will attract fans and grow hockey’s appeal in Florida.