DETROIT – Next season's Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium will be officially announced on Thursday, an NHL source told MLive.com.

News conferences have been scheduled for Michigan Stadium, which will host the game in front of an anticipated NHL-record crowd of more than 110,000, and Comerica Park, which will host several events leading up to the Classic, including AHL, OHL and college games.

MLive.com reported on Jan. 18 that the event was finalized but could not be announced until the Red Wings returned from their four-game post-All Star break road trip.

Wednesday's special meeting of the University of Michigan's Board of Regents is expected to be a formality. The Board will approve Michigan Stadium's rental for the Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2013.

The NHL attendance record is 71,217, set at the 2008 Winter Classic at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium, in a game between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Michigan Stadium hosted “The Big Chill at the Big House,'' a college game between Michigan and Michigan State that drew an announced crowd of 113,411 on Dec. 11, 2010.

The Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4 in the 2009 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field before 40,818.

To appease Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch, a second rink will be constructed at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers.

Comerica will host an AHL game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toronto Marlies, the minor league affiliates of the Red Wings and Maple Leafs.

The baseball park also will host the Great Lakes Invitational, which will include Michigan Tech, Michigan, Michigan State and St. Cloud State, and a pair of OHL games, involving the Saginaw Spirit, Plymouth Whalers, Windsor Spitfires and another team.

In addition, Comerica will host high school and youth games, and possibly the Red Wings-Maple Leafs alumni game.