BRAINERD HDM 2027 FAQs 

  • A small team led a bid for the 2027 event during the summer of 2022.  The bid consisted of multiple phone calls and multiple site visits in the Brainerd Lakes areas to ensure that this community could host an event of this esteem and magnitude.  Following that process, the Minnesota Wild and FanDuel Sports Network, together, awarded the Brainerd Community with the opportunity to host Hockey Day in January 2027. 

  • During the bid process, the Minnesota Wild and FanDuel determined which of the sites they visited had the necessary infrastructure and aesthetics to house an event to their standard.  BIR was the clear favorite of the Wild, FanDuel, and the local bid committee due to its size, location, history and (perhaps most importantly) existing infrastructure to put on an event of this size and scale. 

  • The Local Organizing Committee was established as an extension of the bid committee that led the successful bid process. The members of the bid committee identified people they felt were leaders, doers, who each possessed specific skills and experience to put on a multifaceted event like Hockey Day.  The LOC continues to grow and change and new members may be invited to join as needs arise in the planning process.  Anyone feeling called to serve in that capacity can reach out to current LOC members to express their interest. 

  • Events are being planned by subcommittees of the Local Organizing Committee, starting with the June 22, 2025 Logo Reveal Party.  Events are being planned every 3-5 months to keep the community connected to the planning process, celebrate the planning milestones we cross as a community, and raise further awareness, engagement, and funds to support the 2027 Event.  Future events can be seen posted on the Brainerd HDM website on the Events tab.  If community members have ideas for events or would like to get involved in planning future events, please reach out to an LOC member to share.

  • Hockey Day Minnesota has historically fallen over the third or fourth weekend of January.  This will likely be the case for Hockey Day Brainerd as well.  The exact day is dependent on the NHL schedule, which will not be released until 2026.  Historically, the event day and match ups are announced in June or July the year preceding the event.  We expect this to be the same for Hockey Day Brainerd 2027 and will plan a community event around the release of the schedule. 

  • The intention for Hockey Day Brainerd, as it has been in most other communities, is for the ice to be available for public rental 4-5 days prior to Saturday’s televised games for games, scrimmages, practices, and pick up play.  We intend for the Brainerd Lakes communities, and its neighbor communities, to have the opportunity to rent ice during that timeframe.  More to come on the cost and priorities for ice rental. 

  • Brainerd International Raceway’s size and infrastructure will allow us to offer many attractions during the event.  Those could include food and drink vendors, mini rinks, play areas, music concerts, and other hockey and Lakes Community-related offerings.  The LOC would love to hear ideas from our community about things they would like to see that would be fun, cost-effective, and a showcase of the Brainerd Lakes Area.  As the final plan is developed, those ideas will be considered, along with others. 

  • A lodging plan is being coordinated with the Hospitality Subcommittee of the LOC.  Certain hotels will likely be allocated to certain types of out-of-town guests.  The LOC’s intent is to fill most beds that exist in the area and one of the reasons that our community was selected was because of the many great lodging offerings we possess.  You are welcome to reach out to the lodging venue of your choice and book rooms for you and your guests early, but we cannot guarantee that room blocks will be honored by local properties until a full community lodging plan has been developed.  Unfortunately, BIR will be unable to offer camping onsite due to cost and logistical restrictions.  You may reach out to other campsites in the area and inquire about winter camping with them. 

  • Yes.  A full shuttle schedule will be offered during the event.  The number of days and specific schedule of that offering has yet to be determined.  When a plan is published, we will share it on the website and other communication channels available to the LOC. 

  • One of the reasons that BIR is such a great host venue is the availability of onsite parking.  Parking will be available to patrons and there will be VIP and General Admission parking locations.  The specifics around number of spots by type and exact location has yet to be determined.  The LOC will publish those details as we get closer to the event and have a plan to share. 

  • This is our favorite FAQ.  The LOC is adamant that Hockey Day Brainerd be a community-led event.  As such, it will take a full village of community members to put on an event to be remembered for generations to come.  We ask all community members interested to reach out to the Volunteer Subcommittee of the LOC and express your unique experience, skills, and interest in coming alongside your neighbors to lend that time, talent, and treasure to this one-of-a-kind event.  Those interested in getting involved can communicate that interest through the Brainerd HDM27 website or by email/ phone to an LOC member.  We hope everyone in the BLA finds a way to contribute something to this event that will showcase our community! 

  • The exact cost of each day of the Hockey Day schedule of events is still being determined.  Past hockey days have ranged from X-Y for non-Saturday entry and Y-Z for Saturday’s games.   

  • Any business, organization, or individual that feels called to support the Brainerd Lakes Area and/ or will find benefit in being showcased through BIR, Minnesota Wild, and FanDuel Sports Network’s marketing efforts are encouraged to explore sponsorship of the event with the LOC’s Sponsorship Subcommittee.  The details of sponsorships can be found in the Sponsorship Brochure located on the Brainerd HDM27 website or in printed copy with the LOC.  The printed brochures can be obtained by stopping by BIR headquarters, just outside the main gate.  We hope that all Brainerd Lakes Area businesses consider supporting this event and organizations outside of the Brainerd Lakes (Twin Cities, St. Cloud, Fargo-Moorhead, Sioux Falls, Grand Forks, Duluth, the Iron Range, and beyond) find a way to get involved through sponsorship.  The Brainerd HDM LOC is a 501(c)(3) that can accept tax-deductible donations if sponsorship benefits are not of interest to the donor. 

  • The proceeds of Hockey Day Minnesota Brainerd 2027 (all revenues received less the costs of putting on the event) will be retained by the Brainerd HDM LOC 501(c)(3) organization and used to promote and grow the sport of hockey in the Brainerd Lakes Area.  One area of need that many are aware of is the need for more and improved rink facilities.  The LOC foresees Hockey Day Brainerd to be a springboard for future efforts to improve our arena infrastructure (indoor and outdoor) throughout the entire Brainerd Lakes Community. 

  • Parking

    Cleaning-Grandstands

    Garbage removal

    Ticket/parking scanning

    Game shoveling

    Rink monitors

    Liquor sales

    Grandstand Security