Unexpected Rivalry Ignites as Stars and Jerry World Clash in 2027 Stadium Series Showdown

If you thought Dallas was just about football and barbecue, think again — hockey’s crashing the party at the famed AT&T Stadium in 2027. Yep, the Dallas Stars are gearing up to host the NHL Stadium Series on February 20, turning the iconic “Jerry World” into a dazzling spectacle of ice and adrenaline. It’s a fresh chapter for the Stars, who’ll be lacing up for only their second-ever outdoor NHL clash — this time in a venue that’s never seen a puck drop before, but boasts a crowd capacity north of 80,000 and a roof that opens and closes like a champ. While the rival remains a mystery, expect some fierce Western Conference contenders circling the ice – maybe the Avalanche or Golden Knights? As someone who’s watched the game evolve from rinks to massive stadiums, I can tell you this is more than just a game — it’s a bold statement on hockey’s growing footprint in Texas and beyond. Intrigued? Dive deeper into all the angles and insider nuggets right here. LEARN MORE

Hockey is coming to Jerry World.

The Dallas Stars will host the 2027 NHL Stadium Series game at AT&T Stadium on Feb. 20, 2027. The game will air on ABC. The announcement was made on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” ahead of the Dallas Cowboys’ home game against the Arizona Cardinals.

No opponent was announced for the Stars, but fellow Western Conference contenders such as the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights could be in the mix. The Stars have appeared in only one NHL outdoor game, hosting the 2020 Winter Classic at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas. The official attendance for that 4-2 Stars’ victory over the Nashville Predators was 85,630, currently the third-largest crowd for an NHL outdoor game.

There were discussions about the Stars playing that game at AT&T Stadium before the Cotton Bowl was selected as the venue.

“Five years ago, the 2020 NHL Winter Classic was a celebration of the growth and success of hockey in the Lone Star State, which was the third-highest attended Outdoor Game in League history. We have no doubt that our upcoming Stadium Series game will be met with the same enthusiasm and passion from our fanbase,” Dallas Stars owner and governor Tom Gaglardi said. “We would like to thank NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Dallas Cowboys owner, president and general manager Jerry Jones and the entire Jones family for their support in making this game a reality. AT&T Stadium is one of the premier entertainment venues in the world and is the perfect place to host our next outdoor game.”

Though AT&T Stadium has hosted football, basketball, soccer and two WrestleManias, this will be the first hockey game played in the 16-year-old stadium, which has a capacity of over 80,000. It offers the NHL a climate-controlled environment for the Stadium Series as a retractable-roof stadium.

The Stars have been one of the NHL’s most successful teams in recent seasons, having made the Western Conference finals in three straight seasons. Unfortunately, that’s where their journey ended each time, losing to the Golden Knights (2023) and the Edmonton Oilers twice (2024-25).

The NHL introduced the Stadium Series in 2014 to bring outdoor hockey to football venues that might not work schedule-wise for a Winter Classic. The Stadium Series had seen hockey played at NFL venues, U.S. service academies and college football stadiums like Ohio Stadium, where 94,751 watched the Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the Detroit Red Wings last March.

The next Stadium Series is scheduled for Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, featuring the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Boston Bruins.