The Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs could draw a record crowd for hockey in the NHL's next Winter Classic.

A source confirmed Wednesday the teams would officially be named as participants in the Jan. 1, 2013 game at a press conference Thursday.

The Leafs and Red Wings will face one another at Michigan Stadium, where the current attendance record was set in a game between the Wolverines and rival Michigan State on Dec. 11, 2010. They drew an attendance of 104,173, setting a Guinness World Record.

A pair of venues will be used for the next Winter Classic.

In addition to Michigan Stadium, other games and events will be held at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit.

News of the Leafs-Red Wings matchup has been rumoured for weeks, but the deal was only finalized Wednesday. During a special meeting, the University of Michigan Board of Regents authorized athletic director Dave Brandon to seek a contract with the NHL to host the event.

Previous Winter Classic outdoor games have been played in Buffalo, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. This is the first one that will involve a Canadian team.

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With files from The Associated Press.