Home to the Chicago Blackhawks-affiliated Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL), the 6,500-seat BMO Center, 300 Elm St. in downtown Rockford, Ill., will be the host site for the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic presented by BMO. The largest city in Illinois outside metro Chicago, 146,655-resident Rockford is located 18 miles south of Beloit. In operation since 1936, the American Hockey League serves as the top development league for the players, coaches, managers, executives, broadcasters and staff of all 32 National Hockey League teams.
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Seen during a Dec. 27 game between the home Rockford IceHogs and the visiting Iowa Wild of Des Moines, the 6,500-seat BMO Center, 300 Elm St. in downtown Rockford, Ill., has been selected as the host site for the American Hockey League’s 2026 AHL All-Star Classic presented by BMO. In addition to the IceHogs and the Wild, other Midwestern teams in the AHL Central Division include the Milwaukee Admirals, Chicago Wolves and the Grand Rapids Griffins. Rockford’s BMO Center, opened in 1981, has received $27 million in upgrades in recent years to greatly enhance and modernize the fan experience with improvements to infrastructure, technology, concourse, and premium spaces.
Photos: Wisconsin women's hockey defeats Minnesota State
Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey (4) looks to pass against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin center Cassie Hall (11) brings the puck up the ice against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Kirsten Simms looks to make a backhand shot against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin center Cassie Hall (11) handles the puck in the goalie crease against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Claire Enright (11) sends a shot on goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Minnesota State goalie Hailey Hansen (33) can’t reach the puck as it goes over her glove and in to the net for a Wisconsin goal on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Kelly Gorbatenko (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Kelly Gorbatenko (7) celebrates after scoring a goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin center Cassie Hall (11) approaches Minnesota State goalie Hailey Hansen (33) on a penalty shot on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin and Minnesota State chase the puck on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin celebrates after its second goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Claire Enright watches as the puck hits the back of the net for a goal Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin celebrates after its third goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin right wing Sarah Wozniewicz (23), left, and center Marianne Picard (18) hug after a goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton (30) makes a save against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Minnesota State right wing Claire Vekich (25) buries a goal amidst chaos around the net on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton (30) watches the puck in to her glove against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton (30) makes a save on a fast break by Minnesota State center Taylor Otremba (24) on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Kirsten Simms (27) gets a look at an open net against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin center Marianne Picard (18) and Minnesota State defender Kianna Roeske (15) battle for the puck in the corner on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin celebrates after scoring against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
The puck hits the back of the net on a Kelly Gorbatenko (7) goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Kelly Gorbatenko (7) brings the puck up the ice against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Claire Enright (16) goes flying over Minnesota State goalie Hailey Hansen (33) on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin left wing Claire Enright (16) shoots the puck towards the Minnesota State goal on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin celebrates after a goal against Minnesota State on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
