The National Hockey League continues to forge new records in outdoor games. The NHL reportedly attracted an incredible number of spectators for the game between the New Jersey Devils and the Philadelphia Flyers. The MetLife Stadium saw 70, 328 attendees, subsequently setting a novel record.
The NHL drew a crowd of 70,328 fans for Devils-Flyers on Saturday.
18 hours later, Sunday’s Rangers-Islanders game then drew 79,690—the third-largest crowd in NHL history.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) February 19, 2024
According to Front Office Sports, the attendance record made by the Devils and the Flyers was broken after eighteen hours. The next game between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers garnered 79,690 spectators. The large number of fans created history by becoming the third-largest crowd in the league.
As per the report, the other two games that featured bigger crowds were the Winter Classics games. The first one was at Michigan Stadium and the second one was at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Another historic, spectator-filled stadium is expected next year for the 2025 Stadium Series game as well.
That game will be played between the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets at Ohio Stadium. Next year, Chicago’s Wrigley Field will feature the NHL Winter Classic game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues.
The National Hockey League commenced their outdoor play in 2008 and the first Winter Classic was played in Buffalo. Throughout the games, the league has played 41 outdoor games and they have garnered approximately 2.1 million fans.
