CBP, Flyers to Host Winter Classic

Flyers, Rangers set for 5th Winter Classic

After months of speculation it became official Monday, the Flyers will host the New York Rangers in the NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 2 at Citizens Bank Park.

The 45,000-seat ballpark is the setting for the fifth classic. The game is not held on its traditional Jan. 1 date because it conflicted with the final week of the NFL's regular season.

The NHL will again partner with HBO Sports and the broadcast 24/7 reality franchise.

Flyers chairman Ed Snider is glad to have a great relationship with the Phillies that allowed for this great event to happen.

“The Phillies and the Flyers have a wonderful relationship going all the way back to when we first started and this is the culmination of that,” said Snider at Monday’s press conference. “I can’t thank you enough for lending us this beautiful ballpark for this fabulous game and we hope we’re playing this game after another World Series win.”

Snider calls it an honor for the city to host the event.

"The NHL Winter Classic is arguably the biggest game played during the NHL's regular season and it is a wonderful platform to feature our great sport to millions of worldwide viewers," said Snider. "It's an honor for the Philadelphia Flyers to serve as ambassadors for the NHL. We look forward to hosting the Winter Classic in Philadelphia and showcasing our great city to hockey fans throughout North America."

The game will be once again broadcast on NBC.

“NBC Sports is proud to have partnered with the NHL to grow the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic into a New Year’s tradition and one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “In addition to the intense rivalry between the Rangers and Flyers that will be played outdoors in one the nation’s most rabid sports cities, this year’s game has special meaning to us since the stature of this event makes it the perfect platform to launch the new NBC Sports Network that day.”

Tickets to the Winter Classic are sure to sell quick but there will be other opportunity to check out the ice at CBP.

On Jan. 6 the Adirondack Phantoms will return to South Philly (where they once played) to take on the Hershey Bears in the "Outdoor Classic."

This is the third time the AHL has played outside and the first time the AHL will be playing outdoors following the annual NHL game.

"The American Hockey League has a strong following in the region and it will be a terrific experience for Pennsylvania hockey fans as the historic Phantoms-Bears rivalry is renewed outdoors at Citizens Bank Park," said David Andrews, AHL President and Chief Executive Officer.


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