The Rangers opted for a summery beach outfit, but one that looked more upscale than swimming trunks and a straw hat. Accordingly, the guests from Manhattan appeared in “All White”. This gap is also popular with athletes, even the Miami Dolphins football club often plays home games in white away jerseys to better protect themselves from the sun and hot temperatures. Accordingly, black sunglasses were also worn with this ensemble. A look that worked.
Later in the game, both teams also wore specially designed Winter Classic jerseys: Florida with gold pants and gloves as well as the jumping panther logo. The Rangers in vintage white with a diagonal “New York” lettering and the typical red pants.
Fire, snow and palm trees
The show is a discipline that Americans are probably better at than almost any other nation on the planet. This became evident once again at the 2026 Winter Classic.
The area around the ice rink alone was typically Florida: pink parasols, pink artificial flamingos, white beach chairs, blue and white striped towels, beach balls, inflatables and palm trees everywhere. The saying “hockey under palm trees” was to be taken literally.
As the roof of the baseball stadium was slowly raised and the Panthers made their way to the ice, Luis Fonsi performed his global hit “Despacito”. A nice reference to the large Hispanic community in “Little Havana”. Meanwhile, flames licked upwards and artificial snow trickled down. The whole thing at a warm 17 degrees Celsius, the warmest Winter Classic and second warmest NHL outdoor game of all time.
