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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says good chance Winter Classic returns to Buffalo area in 2028

The NHL aims to celebrate the Winter Classic's 20th anniversary at its original site, leveraging shared ownership of the Sabres and Bills by Terry Pegula.

  • While attending the Sabres' season-opener on Thursday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said there was a good chance the league would mark the Winter Classic's 20th anniversary in Orchard Park in 2028.
  • Long ago the Winter Classic began at Ralph Wilson Stadium on Jan. 1, 2008, when the Buffalo Sabres and NBC pitched the event as a one-time proposal, but it hasn't returned to Buffalo since.
  • A packed crowd of 71,217 and falling snow created a 'snow-globe' effect, while Sidney Crosby scored the decisive shootout goal in the Penguins' 2-1 win; the NHL has held 16 Winter Classics and over 41 outdoor games.
  • The Buffalo Sabres could host another outdoor game in the near future, with construction on the new Highmark Stadium expected to finish in July of next year at the $2.1 billion facility.
  • Highmark Stadium previously hosted international hockey during the December 2017 world junior championships, and shared ownership under Terry Pegula aids staging another game, spotlighting Buffalo as the origin of the Winter Classic.
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NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says good chance Winter Classic returns to Buffalo area in 2028

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says there is a good chance the league in 2028 will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its annual Winter Classic in the place where the outdoor event first launched — Orchard Park, New York.

·United States
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Spectrum Local News broke the news in United States on Friday, October 10, 2025.
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