This was also the first Winter Classic to take place in a stadium with aretractable roof. Due to Seattle'srainy climate that may have affected ice conditions, organizers planned on closing T-Mobile Park's retractable roof in case of heavy rainfall.[4] This could have resulted in the first "indoor" Winter Classic, and the first such game since the2014 Heritage Classic atBC Place inVancouver. However, on game day, the weather forecast was partly cloudy with a temperature of 44°F and only a 10% chance of rain, and the roof was left open during the game.[5]
The rink was surrounded by decorations in a nautical theme that reflected local heritage and the Kraken mythos; topographic designs were laid on the surface and the walkway between the rink and dugouts resembled docks and piers. Aboathouse was used as a broadcast studio.[6] Construction of the rink began in December using a temporary ice plant to pump up to 3,000 US gallons (11,000 L) of glycol to create the rink surface.[7] A two-day fan festival was held onNew Year's Eve and New Year's Day in the north parking lot ofLumen Field, located adjacent to T-Mobile Park. The event included a mobile hockey museum and a display of theStanley Cup.[8]
Both teams' uniforms were leaked to the public four days prior to their official unveiling on November 22, 2023. Players from theNBA'sUtah Jazz were spotted wearing the Kraken's Winter Classic uniform inside theDelta Center,[9] whileAll Elite Wrestling hostRenee Paquette wore the Golden Knights' Winter Classic uniform ahead of the promotion'sFull Gear pay-per-view.[10] The Golden Knights wore faux-back 1917 vintage white uniforms with heritage gold stripes, gray pants and helmets, featuring a stylized gray "V" crest with petal accents and gold trim. The Kraken woreSeattle Metropolitans-inspired uniforms in the team's current colors, featuring barber-pole stripes in ice blue, vintage white and deep sea blue, and a stylized red "S" modeled after the team's logo.[11]
TheAmerican national anthem was performed by 14-year-old guitarist Nikhil Bagga (who has also performed at select Kraken games atClimate Pledge Arena) accompanied byAmerican Sign Language performer Brittany Rupik. RapperSir Mix-a-Lot performed during the player introductions while Seattle-based rock bandHeart performed during the first intermission.[13]
During the pregame arrival for the teams, the Kraken wore outfits resembling workers from thePike Place Fish Market, while the Golden Knights woreElvis Presley costumes. The players were introduced during a ceremony that featured the Fish Market's employees tossing fish over the teams.[14]
In the United States, the game was televised onTNT, simulcasted onTruTV, and streamed onMax. In Canada, the TNT feed was simulcast onSportsnet and streamed onSportsnet+.[15]
The 2024 NHL Winter Classic surpassed the2022 game for the lowest ratings of any Winter Classic in the United States to date, with an average of 1.1 million American viewers watching the game.[16]
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