The hockey world will have its attention turned to Columbus, Ohio on Saturday.
For the first time ever, the Columbus Blue Jackets will host an outdoor game when they face the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. The venue: Ohio Stadium, with a crowd of around 90,000 expected.
Puck-drop is scheduled for just after 6 p.m. Saturday between the Blue Jackets and Red Wings, but there's plenty going on throughout the day and several things to be aware of.
Here's what to expect Saturday:
Event Schedule:
-
12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.: Free and open to all, the Honda NHL Pregame gets underway at noon near the Riverwatch Tower Parking Lot along Lane Avenue. The NHL says the event will feature "family-friendly hockey interactive games and attractions, special appearances, and the opportunity to take a picture with the Stanley Cup."
-
1:30 p.m.: NHL Stadium Series Pep Rally Doors Open. The pep rally will take place at St. John Arena and is first-come, first-serve. Tickets are not needed and the event is free.
-
2:30 p.m.: A performance from the Ohio State Athletic Band will kick off the rally.
-
3:15 p.m.: A musical performance from Columbus' own O.A.R. The set is expected to be an hour long.
- 3:20 p.m.: The Blue Jackets will do a team walk from the Pep Rally to Ohio Stadium.
What Else To Know:
-
Parking lots at Ohio Stadium will open at 8 a.m.. Fans can text "stadiumseries" to 67283 to receive gameday parking and traffic information.
-
Gates to Ohio Stadium will open two hours in advance of the game, at 4 p.m. Fans are being encouraged to arrive early to help minimize lines for security screenings. According to the NHL: "Bags or purses of any size are NOT permitted in Ohio Stadium except as set forth below. Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5”x8”x1” are permitted. All items and persons entering Ohio Stadium are subject to security screening and inspection."
-
The league is issuing a reminder that Ohio Stadium is a cash-free venue. All major credit and debit cards are accepted, as well as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Tap to Pay.
-
The league is also reminding those who plan to attend that "flags, banners, signs, or any other item deemed by the NHL to be similar are not permitted to be carried into Ohio Stadium."
- Dress warm. While the weather is expected to remain dry, temperatures will be below average. Forecasted highs for Saturday are in the mid 30's, but temps are expected to be right aroudn freezing at the beginning of puck-drop and into the mid 20's by 9 p.m. Winds are forecasted to be around 10-15mph during the game (stronger earlier in the day), with wind chills in the teens for much of the game.
