Going to the Winter Classic? What to know about parking, pregame events, entertainment

The Winter Classic in Miami is nearly upon us.

The Florida Panthers host the New York Rangers in the 2026 Winter Classic on Friday at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins. Puck drop for the game is scheduled for 8 p.m., with the game being broadcast on TNT.

Planning to go to the game? Here’s what you need to know.

When do gates open?

Doors to loanDepot park are scheduled to open at 6 p.m., two hours before puck drop.

What’s the parking situation?

loanDepot park has four parking garages situated on each corner of the ballpark. Parking in these areas needs to be pre-purchased through Premium Parking, loanDepot park’s prepaid parking partner. That can be done by clicking here. Parking is $46.

The parking facilities on the south side of the ballpark (the First Base and Centerfield Garages) will open at 1:30 p.m. Friday to accommodate guests wishing to attend the 2026 Enterprise NHL PreGame in West Lot 3 (more on that in a minute). All other parking facilities should be open by 5 p.m.

There are two other options for those who don’t want to park on site.

1). loanDepot park will offer a Park & Ride option for only $15 per vehicle. Attendees can park at the West Lot Garage (220 NW 3rd St.) or Hickman Garage (270 NW 2nd St.) and board complimentary shuttles to the ballpark. Shuttles will drop off and pick up along NW 14th Avenue allowing for a less-than one-block walk to the game.

This service will operate from 1:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

2). For fans traveling from outside Miami, Brightline will offer complimentary round-trip shuttle service between Brightline MiamiCentral Station and loanDepot park. Fans can book their rides on GoBrightline.com. Riders should look for the Winter Classic booking icon to secure access within the dedicated trains. Those options are as follows:

-Train arrivals into MiamiCentral Station: 5:54 p.m. and 6:55 p.m.

-Train departures from MiamiCentral Station post-event: 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m.

-Departure Shuttle Loop from loanDepot park to MiamiCentral Station: 11:45 p.m. – 12:25 a.m.

For those who plan to utilize rideshare, you will be dropped off and picked up at the designated, geofenced, Rideshare Zones, including East Lot 1 (1380 NW 6th St.) and the corner of NW 13^th Avenue & W Flagler Street.

What pregame festivities will there be for fans?

The NHL will host an outdoor fan festival in West Lot 3 and on the West Plaza of loanDepot park starting at 2 p.m. Friday for anyone who has a ticket to the game.

A venue map and full list of attractions and sponsors can be found here. Among the attractions included in the festival:

Autographs and meet and greets: Former Panthers defenseman and current Scripps Sports studio analyst Ed Jovanovski will sign autographs at 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Goaltending legend Henrik Lundqvist is scheduled to sign autographs at 3 p.m. And former Panthers goaltender Jose Theodore will be part of a meet and greet at 3 p.m.

Additionally, the Discover Face-Off panel featuring Wayne Gretzky, Nick Fotiu and Darren Pang starts at 4:30 p.m.

NHL on TNT Face Off, TNT’s pregame show featuring Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, Anson Carter and Liam McHugh, will be live on site starting at 7 p.m.

Stanley Cup Display: Fans can take a photo with the Stanley Cup, the most iconic trophy in professional sports in the West Plaza before the puck drops.

NHL Network: How does your slapshot compare to the pros? Find out in the Hardest Shot Challenge presented by the NHL & MLB Networks.

Discover: The Discover ‘Face Off’ experience will feature a bold and interactive footprint for fans to suit up and battle it out in a fast-paced puck drop challenge. Participants will go head-to-head as a Discover referee drops the puck, competing in a best-of-three showdown to claim bragging rights. Each face-off can be captured and shared directly with participants to post on their social channels. Additionally, there will be a Discover-branded beach hut and fans can snap a photo in front of a custom NHL Winter Classic sand sculpture.

Energizer: Energizer invites fans to experience the Precision Power Shot activation and test their skills like the pros by shooting pucks into a stacked washer and dryer unit for a chance to snag exclusive Energizer giveaway items.

Ticketmaster: Fans can visit the Ticketmaster Bullseye Battle to show off their wrist shots by aiming to shoot their puck through the Ticketmaster “t.” KultureCity sensory bags courtesy of Ticketmaster will also be located on the Promenade Level at guest experience kiosks located in sections 6, 15, 27 and 34.

Who are the featured entertainment for the game?

Singer-songwriter Role Model will perform from the Verizon Stage in the West Lot before the game and perform inside loanDepot park during first intermission of the game.

Grammy-award winner Luis Fonsi will perform his hit song “Despacito” when players make their way to the ice pregame.

Will the roof be open?

That’s the plan/hope!

The NHL has fielded outdoor games in temperatures as warm as 65 degrees.

As of Wednesday, the expected high temperature in Miami is 73 degrees and the low is 55 degrees. The nighttime forecast calls for just a 4% chance of rain, 69% humidity, partly cloudy skies and minimal wind.

loanDepot park’s retractable roof will remain closed until closer to game time to ensure the ice is in its best possible condition for puck drop.

This story was originally published December 31, 2025 at 9:49 AM.