NHL Announces First Outdoor Games in Florida for 2026

The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Winter Classic and Stadium Series, marking a milestone for hockey in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Panthers will face the New York Rangers in the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on January 2, the first outdoor NHL game ever held in Florida.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in a Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on February 1, 2026.
These games celebrate Florida's emergence as a hockey hub, with both franchises achieving significant success, including the Panthers' 2024 Stanley Cup victory and the Lightning's three championships since 2004.
The NHL will use innovative ice-maintenance solutions, such as a retractable roof in Miami and a temporary climate-controlled structure in Tampa, to address Florida's warm weather challenges.
The events are expected to draw over 100,000 fans combined, showcasing the growing popularity of hockey in Florida and attracting traveling fans from the Northeast.