SEATTLE — T-Mobile Park is in the middle of being transformed for the 2024 NHL Winter Classic.
The Winter Classic is an annual outdoor game held around New Years Day. This is the first time Seattle has ever hosted the game.
The Seattle Kraken will take on the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the January 1 game. This is the first time either team has played in a Winter Classic. T-Mobile Park is the eighth ballpark to host a Winter Classic.
On Wednesday crews were putting in the ice pans.
“We'll probably go until 8 or 9 tonight because today's a really big day, it’s what we call ice pan day,” said Dean Matsuzaki, the NHL executive vice president of events. “So, they're putting down the actual panels that we run the refrigerant through to freeze the water.”
Matsuzaki said the process of starting to build the ice should start Saturday.
“That's where they really step up now and start, you know, fully building the ice and then lines and logos painted white, all that. They'll take over the rink,” said Matsuzaki. “We started here on Sunday, and we will be going right up until probably the 23rd, take a little break for a couple of days for Christmas, and then be right back at it.”
Not only is T-Mobile Park expected to fill with fans, but next door outside Lumen Field there will be a free, two-day festival for the public. There will also be events held at places like Hatback Bar & Grille and other bars like The Press Box, which is preparing for a full weekend of festivities too.
“Hopefully full house and overflow. So, get here early,” said Scott McIntire, the owner of The Press Box, which is right across from the T-Mobile Park home plate entrance. “Monday morning we'll be open at 7 a.m. We got a Bloody Mary bar, we have the best pre-game brunch tailgate going for the hockey game.”
McIntire said because hockey fans are usually in Uptown before games, they are excited to host them in SODO.
“We were just talking about it like, man, this is perfect outdoor hockey weather right now. So we're excited to see how the fans do. I love the transformation of the stadium's doing,” said McIntire
And as this transformation continues, each day is just one step closer to the final touch. when fans will start their 2024 at the Winter Classic.
The NHL said they will keep the roof of the park closed for construction and plan to have it open on game day.