Ohio Stadium has “begun its transformation into an NHL arena” as it prepares to host its first ever outdoor hockey game for when the Blue Jackets take on the Red Wings in the 2025 NHL Stadium Series on March 1, according to Nathan Hart of the COLUMBUS DISPATCH. Yesterday afternoon, workers “wearing bright fluorescent vests crisscrossed the football field, carrying materials and driving forklifts.” The turf “was almost completely covered with plastic plates,” with the only remaining sign of the field’s branding being a Big Ten Conference logo that had “yet to be covered.” Ohio State President Ted Carter said that no “man-made ice had been made for the game” as of yesterday “because of the weather.” Carter said, “It’s a little cold here now for us to even turn all the water on, so we need the temperatures to come up just a little bit, but they’re going to make ice here starting on Friday.” Carter said that once it is installed, two NHL Mobile Refrigeration Units “can maintain the rink in temperatures of up to 70 degrees.” He notes that “over 80,000 tickets” for the upcoming game have been sold so far (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/20).
DOING IT BIG: Ohio State AD Ross Bjork yesterday said, “This was several million dollars for phase one and two to upgrade the stadium around heat tracing.” In Cleveland, Tim Bielik noted the rink “will be competed before the teams practice on it” the day before the game itself. While a full field design has not yet been revealed, several Stadium Series games in the past including 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina, have “featured special on-field graphics, unique designs and pyrotechnics.” This year, the field “will host a concert” by band Twenty One Pilots for the first intermission. Bjork noted that because the game is at Ohio Stadium, there “will be several Ohio State elements mixed into the day” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 2/19).
FOR THE FANS: In Columbus, Brian Hedger noted the league has announced plans for a game day fan event to “coincide with” the Stadium Series matchup. Running from noon to 5pm ET will be the Honda NHL PreGame, the league’s official fan festival and tailgate, which is “free to the public.” Hedger noted the event will be located along West Lane Ave., on either side of Perry St., in the parking lots of The O on Lane pizzeria and Riverwatch Tower. Attractions “include family-friendly interactive hockey games and attractions, special appearances and the opportunity to get pictures with the Stanley Cup.” Game tickets for the outdoor matchup are not required for admittance to the fan festival/tailgate, which “will take place across the street” from the NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally at St. John Arena. Headlining the pep rally will be rock band O.A.R. with a “free pregame concert” at 2:30pm ET. Seating for the concert “is first come, first served,” while the tailgate/festival “will remain open until” 5pm ET. Seventeen NHL partners are scheduled to participate in the Honda NHL PreGame tailgate, “including multiple booths allowing fans to show off their hockey skills and contests for prizes” (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 2/19).
