Role Model to Headline 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic in Miami

Alternative-pop star Role Model will deliver the headline performance at the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic, the National Hockey League’s flagship outdoor spectacle. The event will take place Jan. 2, 2026, at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida — marking the first Winter Classic ever hosted in the Sunshine State.

The rising artist, whose real name is Tucker Pillsbury, will take center stage during the first intermission of the nationally televised matchup featuring the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, facing the New York Rangers. U.S. coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max, while Canadian audiences can tune in via Sportsnet and TVA Sports.

Major Moment for a Breakout Artist

Role Model’s performance caps a milestone year for the artist. His sophomore album, Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), produced his first adult alternative radio No. 1, “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The song topped Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart on the Sept. 13-dated ranking. It also helped propel him to No. 1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart in August.

Fresh momentum followed the album’s March release, with the artist joining Good World Management alongside Brandon Creed and Dani Russin, opening on tour for Gracie Abrams, and selling out two Los Angeles headline shows. One performance notably featured a surprise onstage appearance by Reneé Rapp during fan favorite “Sally.”

Full Day of Entertainment Planned

Before the Winter Classic’s main event, fans holding tickets can attend the NHL PreGame fan festival, where Role Model will open TNT’s live on-site broadcast with another performance on the Verizon Stage.

The gameday experience will extend beyond hockey, offering a full entertainment slate designed to engage audiences across broadcast and digital platforms. According to the NHL, Ticketmaster will present Role Model’s intermission set.

A National Tradition Expands South

Launched in 2008, the Winter Classic has become an anticipated New Year celebration for hockey fans, known for iconic outdoor matchups and high-profile music performances. The event has featured artists including Weezer, The Smashing Pumpkins, Chance the Rapper, Heart, and the Black Keys.

Hosting the event in Miami signals the league’s continued push to expand the Winter Classic brand into warm-weather markets, following successful outdoor games played in Nevada and California.

Role Model is also widening his horizons beyond music. He will make his acting debut in director Lena Dunham’s forthcoming Netflix rom-com Good Sex, alongside Mark Ruffalo and Natalie Portman. A release date has not yet been confirmed.

With a national broadcast, a star-studded entertainment lineup, and a historic Florida venue, the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic promises a memorable start to the new year. Tickets and additional festival details are available through Ticketmaster.