Michigan to Play Outdoor Game at Western Michigan in 2027
4/2/2026 12:05:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan ice hockey team will face off against Western Michigan in an outdoor game at Waldo Stadium in Kalamazoo on Jan. 30, 2027.
Waldo Stadium opened in 1939 and is home to the Broncos football team. This marks the first time it will host an outdoor hockey game.
Of the 44 outdoor games played in Division I history, the Wolverines have played in 10 of them -- more than any other program.
The Cold War in 2001 between Michigan and Michigan State popularized playing hockey outdoors in the modern era. It was followed by The Big Chill at the Big House in December 2001. To this day, The Big Chill holds the Guinness World Record for attendance with 104,173 fans. The Wolverines last played an outdoor game in January 2025, the Frozen Confines at Wrigley Field. All-time, Michigan is 4-5-1 in outdoor games.
Michigan will make its 29th appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four next week after winning the Albany Regional on Sunday (March 29). The Wolverines entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed and spent much of the season ranked No. 1. Brandon Naurato's squad is 31-7-2 and boasts the nation's top scoring offense and top power-play unit in the nation.
More information, including ticket information, will be released later this summer.
