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.
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).
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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.
