The Winnipeg Jets will host the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic on Sunday, 25 October, as outdoor hockey returns to Winnipeg for the first time in a decade.
Princess Auto Stadium, home of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, will stage the eighth edition of the Heritage Classic. The schedule lists Face-off for 6 pm local time (11 pm GMT in the UK).
The contest brings together two Canadian franchises with contrasting outdoor histories. Winnipeg are seeking their second victory in three outdoor appearances, while Montreal are returning to open-air NHL competition for the first time since 2017.
There is also a regular-season result at stake. Both teams have experienced an uneven start to the 2026/27 campaign, making Sunday’s meeting more than a celebration of Canadian ice hockey.
For the Jets, the opportunity to respond to recent defeats in front of their home supporters adds another dimension to an occasion already carrying considerable significance.
Winnipeg Jets look to end an early-season slump
Winnipeg enter Heritage Classic week with an immediate problem: turning promising attacking spells into goals.
Scott Arniel’s side have a 4-3-2 record through nine games. Their latest defeat came against the St. Louis Blues on 20 October, when they lost 2-1 despite registering 33 shots on goal.
Cole Perfetti scored Winnipeg’s only goal, his sixth of the season, while goaltender Stuart Skinner made 26 saves. Philip Broberg secured the victory for St. Louis with a third-period power-play goal.
It was Winnipeg’s third consecutive defeat, following setbacks against the Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes.
The results have highlighted an issue that could matter against Montreal: the Jets have created scoring chances but haven’t consistently taken them.
Winnipeg have scored 24 goals through their opening nine games. Seven of those contests have been decided by a single goal, demonstrating how small the margins have been.
Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele remain central to the Jets’ attacking plans. Both can create chances through quick passing, movement and accurate shooting.
However, Winnipeg also need contributions beyond their leading forwards.
Perfetti’s early scoring form offers encouragement, particularly after his goal against St. Louis. Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo and the supporting lines will also have roles in generating attacking pressure.
The challenge is not simply producing more shots. Winnipeg must make greater use of rebounds, screen the opposing goaltender and convert opportunities around the crease.
For further coverage of the competition, World in Sport’s NHL news and analysis follows developments throughout the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Montreal Canadiens bring dangerous attacking options
Montreal have also recorded four wins, three regulation defeats and two overtime or shootout defeats through nine games.
Martin St Louis’s side have shown considerable attacking potential, although defensive consistency remains an issue.
Their most recent completed game ended in a 4-3 overtime defeat against the San Jose Sharks on 20 October.
Nick Suzuki, Juraj Slafkovsky and Cole Caufield scored Montreal’s goals, while Jakub Dobes made 28 saves.
The result followed a 4-3 overtime victory against Buffalo, secured by Caufield’s second goal of that contest.
Those performances underline the importance of Montreal’s leading forwards.
Suzuki combines intelligent movement with accurate distribution. His ability to find teammates in dangerous areas makes him particularly influential when Montreal establish possession in the attacking zone.
Caufield offers a different threat.
The winger can release shots quickly and exploit small openings around the face-off circles. Winnipeg’s defenders must limit his opportunities to receive the puck in space.
Slafkovsky provides a physical presence alongside his attacking ability. His work along the boards and around the net could become important in a game where possession battles may be affected by the outdoor surface.
Montreal will also look towards Lane Hutson for creativity from defence.
The young defenceman’s ability to carry the puck, distribute possession and support attacking sequences gives the Canadiens another route into dangerous areas.
Yet Montreal must balance attacking ambition with defensive responsibility.
The Canadiens have conceded 34 goals through nine games, compared with Winnipeg’s 26. Their defensive organisation will face another test against a Jets side that can create chances through sustained pressure.
Injuries and goaltending create selection questions
Both teams approach the Heritage Classic with important personnel matters to resolve.
Winnipeg placed defenceman Josh Morrissey on injured reserve on 19 October after initially describing his condition as week-to-week.
His absence would remove an important contributor from the Jets’ defensive structure and power play.
Morrissey provides puck movement, positional awareness and an attacking option from the blue line. Without him, other defenders must accept greater responsibility when moving possession out of Winnipeg’s defensive zone.
Neal Pionk and Dylan DeMelo are among the established players who can contribute to that adjustment.
The Jets also recalled Brayden Yager from the Manitoba Moose on 19 October, providing additional depth at centre. His selection for Sunday’s game has not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg face uncertainty surrounding Connor Hellebuyck.
The goaltender’s suspension is scheduled to end on Friday, 23 October, but Arniel has not confirmed whether he will return to the team or feature against Montreal.
Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have been part of Winnipeg’s recent goaltending arrangements. The final decision remains important because playing outdoors can introduce different visual conditions for netminders.
World in Sport previously examined the goaltender’s career in its Connor Hellebuyck profile, covering his development and achievements.
Montreal have their own availability concerns.
Ivan Demidov suffered a lower-body injury earlier in October. On 6 October, the Canadiens announced an expected absence of two to four weeks.
That recovery window leaves his participation in Winnipeg uncertain. Montreal will need to assess his condition before making a decision.
Mike Matheson and Samuel Montembeault have also experienced interruptions to their preparations, although the Canadiens have not confirmed their availability for the Heritage Classic.
Neither club has announced its final outdoor-game lineup, so projected combinations and starting goaltenders should remain provisional.
How could outdoor conditions influence the game?
Outdoor hockey introduces variables that do not normally affect NHL matches inside enclosed arenas.
Temperature, wind, sunlight and changes to the ice surface can all influence how players handle the puck.
The NHL uses specialist equipment and ice-making systems to prepare temporary outdoor rinks, but conditions can still differ from a traditional indoor venue.
Forwards may need to adjust the weight of passes and the timing of shots. Defenders must remain alert when clearing their defensive zones, particularly if the puck behaves differently along the boards.
Goaltenders face another adjustment.
Natural light, changing visibility and the unusual stadium surroundings can make tracking the puck more challenging.
Nevertheless, outdoor conditions do not automatically favour one style of play.
Much will depend on the weather and quality of the ice when the game begins. Any substantial tactical adjustment will follow the conditions the teams encounter during their preparations.
For Winnipeg, maintaining attacking pressure while avoiding turnovers will be particularly important.
Montreal could benefit from quicker transitions if the Jets commit too many players forward.
The opening period should reveal how comfortably each side adapts.
Both teams must also manage the additional activities surrounding the occasion. Outdoor games involve media duties, special ceremonies and unfamiliar routines, although the contest itself remains part of the regular NHL schedule.
Winnipeg return to the scene of their 2016 defeat
Princess Auto Stadium last hosted the Heritage Classic on 23 October 2016.
On that occasion, the Edmonton Oilers defeated Winnipeg 3-0 in front of 33,240 spectators.
The game marked an important moment in the Jets’ modern history, but the result disappointed their home supporters.
Three years later, Winnipeg recorded their first outdoor victory.
The Jets defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 in overtime at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on 26 October 2019.
That result brought their overall outdoor record to one win and one defeat.
The 2026 meeting offers Winnipeg an opportunity to secure their first Heritage Classic victory on home ice.
Montreal, meanwhile, have a longer association with outdoor NHL hockey.
The Canadiens participated in the inaugural Heritage Classic on 22 November 2003, defeating Edmonton 4-3 at Commonwealth Stadium.
It was the first outdoor regular-season game in NHL history.
Montreal subsequently lost 4-0 to Calgary in 2011 before defeating the Boston Bruins 5-1 in the 2016 Winter Classic.
Their most recent outdoor appearance came against the Ottawa Senators in December 2017, when they lost 3-0.
The Canadiens therefore enter Sunday’s contest with two wins and two defeats from four previous outdoor appearances.
Winnipeg have one victory and one defeat from their two games.
The historical connection gives the fixture additional significance without changing its competitive purpose.
Both sides will be seeking another regular-season victory, regardless of the surrounding occasion.
Special jerseys celebrate Canadian hockey history
The Heritage Classic has traditionally featured uniforms inspired by the sport’s past, and the 2026 edition continues that approach.
Winnipeg will wear a predominantly white design that draws inspiration from the franchise’s appearance during the 1980s and 1990s.
The uniform incorporates a traditional crest with felt detailing and a design inspired by the club’s earlier identity.
Montreal’s uniform uses the Canadiens’ familiar red and blue colours alongside vintage off-white elements.
Its crest reflects earlier versions of the club’s historic emblem, while the collar includes the words Les Habitants.
The designs were unveiled by the NHL and Fanatics on 7 October.
They provide a visual connection between the modern teams and their respective histories.
The surrounding venue will also receive a substantial transformation.
According to the NHL’s announced stadium design, Princess Auto Stadium will feature an oversized Canadian cabin theme, incorporating timber structures, vintage hockey memorabilia and decorative elements representing both clubs.
The planned setting includes a large stone fireplace feature, historic-style displays and ceremonial activities before face-off.
The aim is to reflect Manitoba’s outdoor traditions while creating a distinctive setting for the game.
Alumni game adds to the Heritage Classic weekend
The NHL has organised additional events around the main fixture.
Former Winnipeg and Montreal players will meet in an alumni game at Canada Life Centre on Saturday, 24 October.
The preliminary Winnipeg alumni squad includes Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien, Bryan Little and Mathieu Perreault.
Montreal’s former players include Mike Keane, Patrice Brisebois, David Desharnais and Paul Byron among those announced for the event.
The alumni contest offers supporters an opportunity to revisit earlier generations of both franchises before the current teams meet outdoors.
Winnipeg have also organised associated fan activities, including a Fan Fest at the RBC Convention Centre.
The Heritage Classic weekend therefore extends beyond Sunday’s regular-season meeting, combining current NHL competition with a celebration of the clubs’ past.
NHL Heritage Classic 2026: Start time and TV coverage
The Winnipeg Jets will face the Montreal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
The schedule lists Face-off for 6 pm Central Daylight Time in Winnipeg, corresponding to 7 pm Eastern Time and 11 pm GMT in the United Kingdom.
The schedule lists Canadian television coverage on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
In the United States, TNT, truTV and HBO Max are listed as broadcasters.
A specific UK broadcaster has not been confirmed in the NHL’s event information.
The NHL has also arranged an official pre-game experience at the University of Manitoba’s U Lot.
Activities are scheduled between noon and 5.30 pm local time, with access restricted to Heritage Classic ticket holders.
Stadium gates are scheduled to open at 4.30 pm
Supporters attending the contest can consult the official NHL Heritage Classic fan guide for entry requirements, transport arrangements, accessibility information and event timings.
The venue’s outdoor setting makes preparation particularly important, especially for fans travelling to Winnipeg from elsewhere in Canada.
What could decide Jets vs Canadiens?
The central tactical question concerns whether Winnipeg can turn their territorial pressure into more consistent scoring.
Against St Louis, the Jets produced opportunities but failed to take enough of them. Another similar performance could leave them vulnerable against Montreal’s attacking players.
Cole Perfetti’s finishing and the contributions of Connor, Scheifele and Vilardi will be important if Winnipeg are to establish sustained pressure.
Montreal’s priority will be limiting those opportunities while using their own attacking speed.
Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky provide different methods of breaking down a defence. Their ability to combine in transition could test a Winnipeg blue line dealing with personnel uncertainty.
Special teams may also influence the contest.
Power-play opportunities could prove valuable if both sides struggle to create clear chances at even strength. Equally, unnecessary penalties could undermine otherwise disciplined defensive performances.
Goaltending remains another significant variable.
The identity of Winnipeg’s starter is unresolved, while Montreal must finalise their own selection. Whichever netminders begin the game will need to adapt to the unfamiliar environment.
There is no convincing basis for declaring a clear favourite solely from the outdoor history.
The teams enter the week with identical early-season records, although their remaining fixtures and personnel decisions may change the outlook before Sunday.
Winnipeg have a road game against Dallas on Thursday, 22 October, while Montreal are scheduled to visit Chicago on Friday, 23 October.
Those contests will provide further evidence of each team’s form before the Heritage Classic.
Once the ceremony ends and the puck drops in Winnipeg, the occasion will become a regular-season contest with two valuable points available.
For the Jets, the opportunity is to end their home Heritage Classic record on a more positive note. For Montreal, it is a chance to build on their outdoor history and secure an important result away from home.
The winner will be determined by how effectively each side handles the conditions, controls possession and converts chances in front of goal.
