Blues vs. Blackhawks NHL Winter Classic Set for New Year's Eve 2024 at Wrigley Field

Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks will take on the St. Louis Blues on December 31 for next season's NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.

The NHL announced the date of the 16th Winter Classic on Wednesday night.

This marks the first NHL outdoor game ever played on New Year's Eve, and the second ever played in December.

The event will also mark the first time the Winter Classic is taking place on a date other than Jan. 1 or Jan. 2. The NHL began the New Year's tradition in 2008.

The home field of the Chicago Cubs previously hosted the 2009 Winter Classic, during which the Blackhawks lost to the Detroit Red Wings.

The Blackhawks have played six regular-season games in outdoor stadiums. The team currently holds a 1-5 record in outdoor events, including a victory during the 2014 NHL Stadium Series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chicago will hope to earn the second outdoor regular-season victory in franchise history thanks to the addition of Bedard, whom the team acquired with the No. 1 pick of the 2023 NHL draft.

Although sidelined for over a month by a fractured jaw, Bedard lived up to the hype surrounding his rookie season with 22 goals and 61 points through 67 games.

The Blackhawks are expecting even more from Bedard in 2024-25, and the first outdoor game of his career could be a highlight.

The Blues will be playing in the third outdoor regular-season game in franchise history. The Blues won both of those prior contests, including a victory over the Blackhawks in the 2017 NHL Winter Classic.

St. Louis will be led by Robert Thomas, who put together the best season of his career in 2023-24 as he recorded a personal-best 25 goals and 85 points, and Jordan Binnington, who is entering his seventh season as the team's starting goaltender.

The Blues dominated the 2023-24 season series against the Blackhawks, earning a 3-1 record and outscoring Chicago 17-12 in four contests.