Hockey fans were upset after organizers picked an odd walk-out song before the NHL Winter Classic. The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers played on Friday night in the annual outdoor game, which took place in Miami, Florida this year.
Fans were angry before the game even started. Players from both teams walked out while Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi performed his song Despacito. The four-time Latin Grammy Award winner stood at center stage as the Panthers and Rangers came onto the ice on Friday.
According to the Daily Mail, fans quickly questioned on social media why Fonsi’s 2017 hit was performed live. Many said it didn’t match with traditional Winter Classic values. They shared their complaints on social media right away.
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The song choice sparked immediate backlash from tradition-minded fans
One fan wrote on X: “laughing so incredibly hard at the rangers and panthers walking out to despacito at the nhl winter classic.” Another said: “Nothing screams NHL hockey quite like playing Despacito live at the winter classic in Miami. Shrink the game. What the hell.”
One unhappy fan pointed out: “Kids grew up on the Canadian prairies or the northern US midwest on ponds and backyard rinks dreaming of hitting the ice to a live performance of ‘Despacito’. The #WinterClassic is dead and the NHL killed it.”
“So the NHL for the winter classic was like ya lets have them walk out to Despacito, make it fake snow, and barely open the roof,” another angry fan commented. “The national hockey league is an absolute disgrace for what they are doing to the winter classic. F****** despacito before a game in Miami is such a joke,” another comment read.
Fans also criticized another musical performance that night. After Sgt. Emily Nichols of the Florida National Guard sang The Star-Spangled Banner, fans went on social media to complain about her performance too. Meanwhile, in other sports news, Packers QB Jordan Love shared exciting personal news on New Year’s Day.
Another wrote: “Did that National Anthem singer think this was an American Idol audition.” This happened just one week after NBA star LeBron James was accused of “disrespecting” the national anthem before the Lakers’ Christmas Day game. Video showed James warming up during the Star-Spangled Banner performance, and he even seemed to practice his golf swing. In basketball news, Caitlin Clark picked her new NFL team after the Chiefs missed the playoffs.
Published: Jan 3, 2026 01:45 pm