NHL’s Winter Classic returns to Wrigley Field on New Year’s Eve with Blackhawks vs. Blues

CHICAGO - On New Year's Eve, the NHL will present this year's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

The Chicago Blackhawks will take the ice against the St. Louis Blues in the outdoor hockey game, which returns for the first time since 2009.

This year’s event will feature exciting performances, NHL legends, and a New Year's Eve celebration.

The puck drops at 4 p.m. Tuesday. The Smashing Pumpkins will kick off the festivities, and Chicago's own Chance the Rapper will also perform during the game.

Wrigley Field’s baseball diamond is being transformed into a hockey rink by hundreds of crew members.

The rink’s construction is crucial to making the Winter Classic a reality. Crews began work 11 days ago.

"This is one of the most famous baseball landmark in the world, but when we're done, you will not see a blade of grass," said President of NHL Content and Events Steve Mayer. "The ice trucks kind of pull up and then we lay pipes that head to what you see behind me, which is our rink. Takes a couple of days to just sort of construct the rink and then we just start building ice and then we start building everything around the ice." 

A family fun zone is also being built in Gallagher Way.

Limited tickets to the Winter Classic are still available. You can learn more here.