NHL on TNT to Host 'Barnburner' Fan Experience at Blackhawks-Blues Winter Classic
NHL on TNT is kicking off the 2025 NHL Winter Classic between the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks by hosting a New Year's Eve fan celebration in Chicago.
The "Barnburner" experience will take place at Gallagher Way outside of Wrigley Field from noon to 7:30 CT on Dec. 31, according to TNT Sports.
Puck drop for the Winter Classic is set for 4 p.m. CT at Wrigley Field.
The fan event will feature a performance from Jon Pardi as well as a live NHL on TNT broadcast featuring hosts Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, Anson Carter and Liam McHugh.
The entertainment will continue at the game, which will feature a pregame performance from The Smashing Pumpkins and an appearance by Chance The Rapper during the first period break.
The event will mark the second time the NHL has held an outdoor game at Wrigley Field, and the first time any Winter Classic has been played on New Year's Eve.
The contest also represents the outdoor debut of 2023 No. 1 draft pick and reigning Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard.
Bedard and the Blackhawks will take on St. Louis captain Brayden Schenn and goaltender Jordan Binnington as the Blues come to Chicago for the first time this season.
The Blues won the 2023-24 season series against the Blackhawks 3-1, and the visitors also enter the matchup with a perfect outdoor record.
St. Louis has previously claimed Winter Classic victories in both 2017 against the Blackhawks and 2022 against the Minnesota Wild.
The Blackhawks are meanwhile set to become the first team in NHL history to play in seven outdoor games. Chicago is 1-5 in six previous contests, with the team's lone outdoor victory coming against the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2014.
The Blackhawks-Blues rivalry has waned as both teams dropped out of playoff contention over the last few seasons. The NHL will hope the addition of Bedard and the national stage can help reinvigorate this divisional rivalry.
