Role Model gets his skates on for the National Hockey League’s premier outdoor game.
The rising alternative-pop artist will headline the entertainment for the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot park in Miami, FL, set for Jan. 2, 2026.
On the day, two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers, with all the action televised live at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max in the United States, and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
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According to a statement from the league, Role Model will lead the first intermission, presented by Ticketmaster, with a performance from his hit sophomore album Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye).
Before that, he’ll open NHL on TNT’s live on-site coverage with a performance on the Verizon Stage at the 2026 Enterprise NHL PreGame, the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic gameday fan festival, which welcomes ticket holders for the annual NHL Winter Classic — the first to be played in Florida.
Role Model (real name: Tucker Pillsbury) enjoyed a breakthrough this year when he topped a songs-based Billboard chart for the first time, leading the Sept. 13-dated Adult Alternative Airplay tally with “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” housed by Kansas Anymore.
Earlier, in August, the Cape Elizabeth, Maine, “Sally” went to No. 1 on the Emerging Artists tally.
Following the March release of Kansas Anymore, Role Model signed with the Good World Management’s Brandon Creed and Dani Russin; opened on tour for Gracie Abrams; and celebrated two sold-out shows in Los Angeles, one of which saw Reneé Rapp join him on stage as a surprise guest during “Sally.”
He’ll make his acting debut in the Lena Dunham-directed Netflix romcom Good Sex, starring Mark Ruffalo and Natalie Portman, the release date for which hasn’t been announced.
The Winter Classic was established in 2008 as a regular-season outdoor game to celebrate the New Year, and has featured performances by the likes of Weezer, Chance The Rapper, The Smashing Pumpkins, Heart, the Black Keys and many others.
Visit Ticketmaster for more.
