Wellington is set to become the first stadium in the southern hemisphere to hold an outdoor hockey game when the Ice Hockey Classic comes to New Zealand in 2018.
Two teams representing the United States and Canada and featuring a mix of current NHL players, veterans and up and coming talent will play three exhibition games across the country.
While Auckland's Spark Arena and Queenstown Ice Arena will both play hosts, the main event will take place at Westpac Stadium on June 23.
Westpac Stadium's chief executive Shane Harmon is under no illusions as to the unique challenges that hosting an event such as this poses but maintains it will provide a special spectacle for fans.
Outdoor games are relatively common in North America where temperatures outside are already close to freezing point, which would be far from the case in the New Zealand capital.
"Building an NHL-sized ice hockey rink on the pitch presents some technical challenges," Harmon told Stuff.
"The team have a 72-hour turnaround period to build, freeze, unfreeze and dismantle the rink. But we believe it is worth the effort to create such an exciting and innovative event experience for fans.
"Few Kiwis will have experienced a live ice hockey game before so we think it will be very popular, particularly with the calibre of athletes who are expected to compete."
It will be the first time the event has made its way to New Zealand after having previously visited Australia each year since 2015.
Retired NHL legend and 2017 Ice Hockey Classic Canada captain, Mike Commodore, spoke highly of his experience down under is eager to go one step further next year.
"It was great to see so many passionate ice hockey fans come out and support us in Australia," Commodore said in a statement.
“Touring Australia with the Ice Hockey Classic has been a highlight in my career and it will be fantastic to reignite the rivalry with USA in New Zealand."
Ice Hockey Classic 2018:
Auckland – Spark Arena, June 22
Wellington – Westpac Stadium, June 23
Queenstown – Queenstown Ice Arena, June 28
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