Thu Jan 09 03:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Lightning to Host NHL Stadium Series Game at Raymond James Stadium
**TAMPA, FL** – Get ready for some Sunshine State hockey! The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in an outdoor NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, February 1, 2026. This marks the first time the NHL will hold a regular-season outdoor game in Florida, a state long considered a hockey hotbed despite its warm climate.
The announcement, made Wednesday, culminates a years-long effort by the Lightning, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, and the NHL. The league faced significant logistical challenges, including Florida’s warm and humid climate, unpredictable rain, and the stadium’s proximity to the water. To mitigate these factors, a climate-controlled structure will be built inside the stadium to house the ice rink two weeks before the game.
“When we pull this off, I think people are going to talk about this for a long time to come,” said NHL chief content officer Steve Mayer. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and is expected to draw a crowd of 65,000.
The NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, emphasized Florida’s growing hockey scene, citing the success of the Lightning and Panthers, both of whom have recently played in the Stanley Cup Finals. He stated that the league was eager to accept the challenge of hosting an outdoor game in such an unusual climate.
While the prospect of a warm-weather outdoor hockey game initially seemed daunting, the NHL employed a comprehensive approach, involving ice experts, operations teams, and weather scientists to ensure the event’s success. A contingency plan is in place should the Buccaneers, who share Raymond James Stadium, need to host an NFC Championship game during the rink’s construction period.
The game, a nighttime event, will be a significant spectacle, fulfilling a long-held dream for Lightning players and fans alike. Tampa Bay’s reputation for hosting large-scale events, ranging from Super Bowls to Wrestlemania, solidified the city’s suitability for this unique NHL showcase. This event will also coincide with Gasparilla weekend, adding to the festive atmosphere.
First Piper 