Edmonton Oilers to host Calgary Flames in 2023 Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium
The Battle of Alberta is about to head outdoors.
The Edmonton Oilers will host the Calgary Flames in the 2023 Heritage Classic in the Alberta provincial capital at Commonwealth Stadium — the home of the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Elks — on October 29, the National Hockey League officially announced on New Years’ Eve.
The game will mark the third outdoor appearance for both teams, although it’ll be the first time the Battle of Alberta has ever taken place outside an arena. The Oilers previously hosted the very first outdoor NHL regular-season game at Commonwealth Stadium back in 2003, falling 4–3 to the Montreal Canadiens.
Back to where it all began! 🏒
The @EdmontonOilers and @NHLFlames will meet in Edmonton for the 2023 @TimHortons NHL #HeritageClassic on October 29! 👏 pic.twitter.com/oMMpSV2ABw
The Oilers and Flames have one of the fiercest rivalries in the NHL, having previously met six times in the playoffs. Edmonton has won five of the series, most recently defeating Calgary 4–1 in the second round of the 2022 postseason.
The Flames have the edge in the regular season, with an all-time record of 141–129–18–6 against the Oilers. The two teams have already completed their 2022–23 season series, with Calgary winning the first game 4–3 before Edmonton took the following two by 3–2 and 2–1 scores.
The Heritage Classic has been held six times before in six different Canadian cities:
- November 22, 2003: Edmonton Oilers vs. Montreal Canadiens (Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton)
- February 20, 2011: Calgary Flames vs. Montreal Canadiens (McMahon Stadium, Calgary)
- March 2, 2014: Vancouver Canucks vs. Ottawa Senators (BC Place, Vancouver)
- October 23, 2016: Winnipeg Jets vs. Vancouver Canucks (Investors Group Field, Winnipeg)
- October 26, 2019: Winnipeg Jets vs. Calgary Flames (Mosaic Field, Regina)
- March 13, 2022: Buffalo Sabres vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (Tim Hortons Field, Buffalo)
Two additional outdoor games have been played in Canada:
- January 1, 2017 (Centennial Classic): Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings (BMO Field, Toronto)
- December 16, 2017 (NHL 100 Classic): Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens (TD Place Stadium, Ottawa)
Before the Flames and Oilers hit the ice outdoors next October, there are still two outdoor games yet to be played this season. First, the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins will skate at Fenway Park for the Winter Classic on January 2; then, on February 18, the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals will hit the ice at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC.