It's part of sports culture for home teams to cross-attend each other's events and games to show mutual support. In South Florida, the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the MLB's Miami Marlins, the MLS's Inter Miami, and the NBA's Miami Heat players occasionally attend Panthers games. All organizations work together to promote local clubs and players. Many athletes enjoy hockey's physicality.
Off-ice All-Star Guest List
The 2026 Winter Classic will probably be one of the most star-studded sports events in Miami since Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. It's a great time to introduce hockey to more people, including high-profile celebrities who can bring new investment perspectives. Notable Florida residents who love hockey include actor Mark Wahlberg, seven-time NFL champion Tom Brady, pro golfer Brooks Koepka, and tennis star Aryna Sabalenka. The Florida-based Serena Williams, a four-time Olympic champion and 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, isn't known to be a hockey fan. Still, she is a well-established entrepreneur, investor, and sports figure. It's hard to imagine them missing such a unique event for the NHL, sports industry, and the entire state. When David Beckham, an international soccer star and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, played for the LA Galaxy, he used to take his kids to the LA Kings games and even lifted the Stanley Cup in 2012 after the Kings won it.
David with the Famous Stanley cup!!! X vb pic.twitter.com/NT4ny5qH
— Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) June 14, 2012
Lord Stanley will be waiting for David Beckham and other soccer stars (Leo Messi, please) at LoanDepot Park on Jan.2, 2026. Special packages to take a snapshot with the hockey's most prestigious trophy and post-game field access are sold out, according to NHL Experiences. But surely, celebrities have other meet-and-greet opportunities. For example, performing at the event.
DJ Khaled is not only a Cats fan but has also combined his love of hockey with his work during Stanley Cup playoff intermissions.
It's more common to see celebrities at NBA and NFL games, but the NHL is getting there, too. When a 14-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor Swift, shows up anywhere, it becomes breaking news. If her three-time Super Bowl champion fiancé, Travis Kelce, escorts her, it is even more sensational. They are used to attention and camera flashlights. But hockey doesn't enjoy the same global spotlight as "Traylor". Not at the same level, that's for sure. So, when the power couple attended Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on June 12 in Sunrise, FL, social, digital, and TV media were flooded with their shots.
Wicked Hockey
But there is one special Cats supporter in the film and music industry, whose love for the Panthers seems pure. Ariana Grande, a 32-year-old singer and actress, was born in Boca Raton, FL. The same year as her birth, 1993, the Florida Panthers debuted in the NHL at Miami Arena. Little Ariana's family enjoyed season tickets, so the future pop star learned about hockey early on. Apparently, she had a few "flying puck" incidents.
Her stardom has opened new horizons but also closed some doors, as it's very challenging to attend public events without being noticed. So, when the Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup in 2024, she celebrated it on her IG story. What are the chances that the girl who was born in the Sunshine State, attended hometown hockey contests in her childhood, was hit by a puck on different occasions, had a Zamboni ride, and sang the National Anthem before the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers matchup will become a superstar?
1998: Pop star Ariana Grande, age 5, gets a ride on a Zamboni in between periods at a Florida Panthers game #FlaPanthers #ArianaGranDay #NHL
— Stellar Stellars (@SteIIarStellars) February 9, 2019
From the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on October 10, 1998 pic.twitter.com/ipIcD9xMgn
Ms. Grande was eight years old when she performed "The Star-Spangled Banner" before the NHL game in Sunrise, FL. The video of the precious moment posted on her official YouTube channel 11 years ago has over 10 million views. If the Florida Panthers fans could vote, there is a chance they would love to see Ariana Grande perform the National Anthem during the 2026 Winter Classic in her home state.
So, when Ariana Grande shows up at the Panthers' games, it's not just headlines. It's home. The Florida-born singer will start her new "Eternal Sunshine" music tour in June 2026. The "Wicked" actress will perform at the Amerant Bank Arena on June 30, July 2, and July 3. While it's the hockey offseason, it's intriguing to see which Cats will be in town to attend those concerts. Will Ariana wear the Panthers' jersey? After the release of her tour schedule, the back-to-back champions made sure to acknowledge Grande's homecoming.
The new "Wicked" film opened in U.S. theaters on Nov. 21. Still, the Florida Panthers players and staff have no time for premieres, as they play every other day until Monday, Dec. 8. NHL teams will have no games or practices from Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. The Cats will welcome the New Year's Day at home and get ready for the 2026 Winter Classic against the New York Rangers on Jan.2.
The big question is what celebrities will come to support the Panthers?! The New York Rangers have an excellent line of A-list Hollywood stars in their fanbase: Liam Neeson, Margot Robbie, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Bon Jovi, Will Arnett, John Legend, etc. It sounds like music, TV, film, and sports stars will have their own competition.
The 2026 Winter Classic in Miami is the place to be on Jan. 2, 2026.