Nationals Park to host NHL Winter Classic with Hawks

The Winter Classic with the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals on Jan. 1, 2015, will be held at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., NHL officials announced today.

The annual outdoor hockey game will be carried at noon on New Year's Day by NBC.

"The Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic® has made New Year's Day a highlight of the season for NHL fans everywhere," said commissioner Gary Bettman. "Nationals Park provides an ideal setting for all the excitement, entertainment and fun as the Blackhawks and Capitals bring our outdoor tradition to historic Washington, D.C."

Both the Capitals and Blackhawks will be making their second appearance in the Winter Classic, with the Capitals hosting the game for the first time. Washington defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 in front of 68,111 fans at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on Jan. 1, 2011. The Hawks hosted Detroit at Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, 2009, with Detroit winning 6-4.

"It's an honor to be selected by the NHL to participate," said Blackhawks president and CEO John McDonough. "This is another marquee event for the Blackhawks and we're looking forward to spending New Year's Day in our nation's capital."

Nationals Park, home to the Washington Nationals, is a 41,546-seat venue with panoramic views of the riverfront, Navy Yard, the surrounding city and landmarks such as the Capitol and the Washington Monument.