ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan Board of Regents unanimously voted Wednesday morning to allow the National Hockey League to use Michigan Stadium for the annual Winter Classic in January 2013.

The NHL announced Wednesday afternoon it would hold a press conference at Comerica Park in Detroit this morning at 10:30.

The event will continue at Michigan Stadium following the Comerica Park announcement. The event can be seen live on the NHL Network and NHL.com.

Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said that the NHL first contacted the university about using the facility last November.

According to sources, the NHL would pay up to $3 million for usage of Michigan Stadium from Dec. 1 until mid-January.

The Winter Classic is played New Year’s Day. The alternate date is Jan. 2.

It is believed that the game would be between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is not the first time Michigan Stadium has been involved in an outdoor hockey game.

The Wolverines hosted rival Michigan State in 2010 and drew a record 104,173 fans.

This is also not the first time the Detroit Red Wings have played hockey outdoors.

The Red Wings and rival Chicago Blackhawks played at Wrigley Field in 2009 and drew 40,818 fans to the storied baseball venue.