Singer Benson Boone performs at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 19, 2026. Kayla DeLaura/WireImage Benson Boone is set to headline the entertainment portion of the National Hockey League’s 2027 Discover Winter Classic, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned.
The annual outdoor hockey game is scheduled for New Year’s Eve in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Mammoth, who joined the league as an expansion team in 2024, will host their first-ever edition of the Winter Classic at Rice Eccles Stadium against the Colorado Avalanche. The Mammoth become the 32nd NHL franchise to participate in the outdoor event — a regular-season game for the teams.
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Boone, fresh off his Wanted Man tour, is set to perform during the first intermission of the game during a performance presented by Ticketmaster, according to a release. The pop star is known for his energetic performances, which often include a flip — or two. The 24-year-old broke out with his chart-topping single “Beautiful Things,” which helped earn him a best new artist nomination at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
“The Winter Classic is always about creating something unforgettable, and this year we’re taking that to another level. We’re turning the stadium into a true winter wonderland, and Benson Boone is the perfect artist to bring it to life,” NHL president of events and content Steve Mayer said in a statement. “He’s an incredible performer with a real sense of showmanship, and we can’t wait to see what he does on this stage to create a memorable experience for the fans in the stadium and everyone tuning in from home.”
The NHL recently had a slew of musical acts perform during the first intermission of the recent Heritage Classic, which took place at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the end of October. The matchup featured two Canadian teams, the Winnipeg Jets and the Montreal Canadiens.
Off Campus star Ella Bright hosted the Heritage Classic intermission show. The musical acts — Remi Wolf, Wolf Parade, Feist and G Flip — were an homage to Heated Rivalry and Off Campus, the two popular hockey romance shows that dominated pop culture over the last year.
The Discover NHL Winter Classic will air on TNT, HBO Max and TruTV in the U.S and TVAS in Canada beginning at 4 p.m. Mountain Time. Tickets to the game are available through Ticketmaster.
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