NHL's Winter Classic in Michigan gets alcohol sale approval

Michigan Stadium is shown before an announcement about the NHL Winter Classic hockey game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Alcohol sales have been cleared at Michigan Stadium on New Year's Day when the facility hosts a game between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Wednesday that he signed a bill allowing liquor sales at the Ann Arbor venue after the Legislature gave its approval.

The NHL made alcohol sales a condition for holding the outdoor Winter Classic game.

Officials say the game could break a record as the most-attended hockey game ever. The record was set at Michigan Stadium in 2010 when 104,173 attended a Michigan State-Michigan game.

© The Canadian Press, 2012