Springfield, Massachusetts …President and CEO of the National Hockey League Scott Howson Announced today, the board of directors unanimously approved Rockford IceHogs As the organizer BMO presents 2026 AHL All-Star Classic.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Classic presented by BMO will include AHL All-Star Skills Game exist Tuesday, February 10, 2026followed by AHL Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony exist Wednesday, February 11 and AHL All-Star Challenge that night.
“As we prepare to celebrate the AHL’s 90th anniversary in the 2025-26 season, we look forward to bringing the AHL All-Star Classic to Rockford next winter,” Howson said. “Being selected to host our showcase event is a testament to the commitment of the City of Rockford, the State of Illinois and the Chicago Blackhawks organization to providing fans throughout the region with a first-class environment to enjoy IceHogs games and AHL hockey at the BMO Center.”
Both the AHL All-Star Skills Game and the AHL All-Star Challenge will be held at the newly renovated BMO Center in downtown Rockford. To date, the State of Illinois, the City of Rockford and other public and private partners have invested $27 million to significantly enhance and modernize the fan experience through improvements to infrastructure, technology, concourses and premium spaces.
“The AHL All-Star Classic will bring together the league’s top talent to showcase the best of professional hockey in Rockford. This prestigious event will put our city in the national spotlight, drawing fans from near and far to celebrate the event. Get active and experience all that Rockford has to offer. Tom McNamara. “From exciting events at the BMO Center to boosting local businesses to the excitement shared by our community, the AHL All-Star Classic will be a celebration of our city’s energy, resilience and passion for hockey.”
“Illinois’ tourism industry is second to none, and I’m excited to welcome the AHL All-Star Classic to Rockford – right in the center of it all,” said Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Christine Richards. “With the support of the Tourism Incentive Grant Program, Illinois is making significant investments that will open the door to a variety of events that attract visitors from near and far, while providing another opportunity for local families to enjoy with the talented Rockford IceHogs. Illinois fun.
“The IceHogs, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Tourism, the RAVE (Regional Venues and Entertainment Authority of Rockford) Commission and GoRockford’s partners, are excited to showcase our city and region to an international audience through an event hosting the 2026 AHL All-Star Game Presented by BMO. Star Classic,” said IceHogs team president Ryan Snyder. “Rockford knows how to throw a party, and we look forward to hosting Stateline’s ultimate party for the AHL, our IceHogs and Blackhawks fans, and the entire community.”
Fans can visit icehogs.com/asc26 for more information about the event and tickets. Individual tickets for the All-Star Classic will be available at a later date.
The annual AHL All-Star Classic brings together the American Hockey League’s top young talent: Since 1995, more than 94% of All-Star Classic participants have gone on to play in the National Hockey League, including Cam Atkinson, Derek Basson, Jordan Binnington, Michael Carcone, John Carlson, Brent Clark, Thatcher Demko, Lucas Dole, Riker Evans, Thomas Harley, Connor Helleback, Joel Hofer, Tristan Jarry, Jordan Kyrou, Jonathan Marshall, Jacob Markstrom, JT Miller, Brandon Montour, William Nyland, Kyle Palmieri, Mikko Rantanen, Dylan Strome, Tyler Toffoli, Linus Ullmark, Vitek Vanecek, Dustin Wolfe and Maz Zuccarello.
The American Hockey League has been in operation since 1936 and is the top developmental league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and staff of all 32 National Hockey League teams. Today, nearly 90 percent of NHL players are American Hockey League graduates, and more than 100 honorary members of the Hockey Hall of Fame spent their careers in the AHL.
