Report: Flames, Oilers to meet in Heritage Classic next season

The Battle of Alberta is headed outdoors for the first time.

The Edmonton Oilers will host the Calgary Flames in the 2023 Heritage Classic, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday's "32 Thoughts" segment.

The NHL hasn't set a date for the event at Commonwealth Stadium, but it won't take place during this campaign.

Next year is the 20th anniversary of the first Heritage Classic, which Edmonton hosted at the same venue - the home of the CFL's Edmonton Elks - in front of approximately 57,000 fans. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Oilers 4-3 in the inaugural edition, and the Flames beat the Habs 4-0 when they held the next one at McMahon Stadium in 2011.

Edmonton took part in one other Heritage Classic, blanking the Jets 3-0 at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg in 2016. Calgary also played in a second Heritage Classic, losing 2-1 to the Jets at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 2019.