The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced Chicago’s own Chance The Rapper and The Smashing Pumpkins will lead the entertainment for the Discover NHL Winter Classic, the Dec. 31 outdoor game at Wrigley Field between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues at 4 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. ET (TNT, truTV, Max, SN, TVAS).
Chicago born and raised, Chance The Rapper is known worldwide for his iconic mixtapes, including Acid Rap and Coloring Book. The Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist, whose portrayal of NHL rinkside reporter Lazlo Holmes in a Saturday Night Live sketch was a cultural phenomenon, will return to the rink to headline an intermission performance during the Blues–Blackhawks outdoor game in his hometown. Chance’s current project, Star Line, is an interdisciplinary endeavor that combines art, music, cinematography and community. It showcases collaborative works with esteemed fine artists from both The Continent and The Diaspora.
Alternative rock juggernauts The Smashing Pumpkins, who formed as a band in Chicago and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, will kick start the festivities at the Discover NHL Winter Classic with a performance before the game begins.
Portions of both performances, which will be produced by NHL Entertainment, will be featured in the game broadcast.
A limited number of tickets to the Discover NHL Winter Classic are available for purchase via Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of the NHL.
The Discover NHL Winter Classic continues the tradition the League established in 2008 of hosting a regular-season outdoor game at the onset of the new year. The game will be the 16th NHL Winter Classic and the 42nd NHL regular-season outdoor game.
