NHL to Play 2027 Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium

The NHL is going big with its Stadium Series next year.

The league has announced that the Dallas Stars will play the specialty game, February 20, 2027, at AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys. The team’s opponent will be announced at a later date.

It will be the second time the NHL has brought the series to the Dallas market, previously playing at the Cotton Bowl in 2020. That game attracted 85,630 fans, the third-largest crowd in NHL history.

“The National Hockey League is thrilled to bring the spectacle of an NHL Stadium Series game to Arlington and one of the world’s most spectacular sports settings, AT&T Stadium,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Ever since its opening in 2009, (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones has been advocating for an outdoor game at this amazing venue. And we are delighted to partner with the Cowboys and Stars — two franchises dedicated to the fans of North Texas — and to create another unique fan experience for a market that has long been a hockey success story and welcomed us so enthusiastically when the 2020 NHL Winter Classic was played at the Cotton Bowl.”

The announcement was made before the Cowboys played the Arizona Cardinals on “Monday Night Football.”

“Hosting the NHL Stadium Series with the Dallas Stars is another great example of the vision we’ve always had for what AT&T Stadium could be beyond football,” Jones said. “The game will be another proud moment for us and being able to provide a world class fan and team experience in partnership with two outstanding organizations, the NHL and the Stars, will be very special.”

AT&T Stadium has an 800,000 seating capacity but can accommodate up to 105,000 fans with standing room options. Just two NHL games have drawn more than 90,000 fans: A January 2014 game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, (105,491); and a game in March 2025 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (94,751).

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in a shootout before 105,491 in the Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Jan. 1, 2014.

“We had a great experience at the Cotton Bowl with 84,000 people,” Bettman said of the previous game in Dallas. “My guess is that we’re going to beat that number, and I think our fans and everybody in attendance at that game is going to be thrilled to be here. We’re excited and we’re grateful to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys for sharing their home with us.”

The Stars’ ownership also expressed excitement over the event.

“Our organization is thrilled to have the opportunity to host the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium,” Stars owner Tom Gaglardi said. “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 fan base.”