The Dallas Stars are slated to host the 2027 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, February 20, 2027. While the league has yet to announce who the Stars will face in this outdoor match, the St. Louis Blues emerge as a compelling and fitting choice.
The NHL revealed last week that the Stars would host the Stadium Series game at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The game is scheduled for February 20, 2027, and will be broadcast on ABC. This marks the second time the Stars and the state of Texas will host an NHL outdoor game. The previous occasion was the 2020 NHL Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl, where the Stars triumphed over the Nashville Predators in front of a sold-out crowd of 85,630.
Several factors make the Blues an ideal opponent for the Stars in this upcoming Stadium Series game. The year 2027 marks the 60th anniversary of the NHL's first expansion, a milestone that significantly shaped the league's landscape. In 1967, the NHL welcomed six new teams, including the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the St. Louis Blues. This expansion broadened the NHL's presence across North America and guaranteed an expansion team a spot in the Stanley Cup Final. The Blues, in fact, reached the Final in their inaugural season and continued to do so for the subsequent two seasons.
While the city of Dallas wasn't part of the initial expansion, the relocation of the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas in 1993 connects the Stars franchise to this pivotal moment in NHL history. Naming the Blues as the Stars' opponent would be a fitting way to commemorate the anniversary of the expansion and celebrate the league's growth. Outdoor games have become platforms for honoring hockey's past, present, and future. The NHL has grown from its original six teams to 32, and it has previously used outdoor games to celebrate expansion, as seen in the 2024 Winter Classic featuring the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights.
Beyond the historical connection, a Stars-Blues matchup would reignite a compelling rivalry. Both teams are competitive within the Central Division, and a game of this magnitude would add another layer to their existing on-ice battles.
AT&T Stadium, with its capacity to host large crowds, is a premier venue for such an event. Since opening in 2009, the stadium has hosted major events like Super Bowl XLV, WWE WrestleMania, and concerts such as Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour. In 2026, it will also host nine FIFA World Cup games. Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys Owner, President, and General Manager, has long advocated for an outdoor hockey game at the stadium.
The NHL must capitalize on this opportunity to create a memorable event that honors the league's history while delivering an exciting contest for fans. Choosing the St. Louis Blues as the Dallas Stars' opponent in the 2027 Stadium Series game would be a strategic decision that resonates with hockey fans and celebrates a defining chapter in the NHL's evolution.
