Tampa’s Outdoor Hockey Moment Has Arrived - And It’s Bigger Than Just One Game
When the puck drops on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium, it won’t just mark the first outdoor NHL game in Tampa Bay history. It’ll be a celebration - of a franchise that’s grown into one of the league’s most respected, of a fanbase that’s helped redefine what hockey in the South can look like, and of a community that’s fully embraced the sport in every corner of the city.
This is the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, and it’s not just about spectacle. It’s about recognition.
“For us this was about getting it here for our fans,” said Lightning CEO Steve Griggs, standing in the stadium that’s currently being transformed from NFL field to NHL venue. “With the explosion of community hockey here, with all the young kids playing hockey now, where we're at as an organization, this is the perfect time to have an outdoor game here.”
He’s not wrong. Tampa has quietly - and now loudly - become one of the NHL’s premier markets.
The Lightning have built something real, something sustainable. And the league is taking notice.
NHL President of Events and Content Steve Mayer, who’s overseen countless marquee moments across the league, echoed that sentiment. “We’re celebrating hockey here in Tampa and all the success they've had,” Mayer said. “This is awesome, and for every right reason in the world, we're playing the game in Florida.”
This isn’t just a one-off. It’s part of a broader movement by the NHL to bring its biggest events to non-traditional markets that have earned their stripes.
Earlier this year, the Winter Classic landed in Miami. Now, Tampa gets its turn - and the timing couldn’t be better.
A Stadium Transformed
The transformation of Raymond James Stadium is well underway. The frame structure for the temperature-controlled tent - crucial for maintaining the ice surface in Florida’s mild winter - is already in place. Arena dashers are being installed, and soon, the tent will be fully enclosed to allow for six days of ice-making.
A graphic will cover the football field beneath, helping complete the visual overhaul. And while game day temperatures are expected to sit in the upper 60s, the NHL isn’t sweating it. The ice will remain covered until shortly before puck drop, ensuring optimal conditions.
Mayer teased that the full stadium design will be revealed next week, calling it “spectacular.” If the NHL’s recent outdoor games are any indication, fans can expect a visual feast - one that blends hockey tradition with local flair.
A Fanbase That’s Done the Work
This moment didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of grassroots growth and a franchise that’s stayed committed to building something bigger than just wins and losses.
Griggs pointed back to the 2022 Stadium Series in Nashville, where an estimated 25,000 Lightning fans made the trip. That kind of turnout doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I go back to Nashville when we watched 25,000 people walking into that stadium,” Griggs said. “Fifteen years ago we had 2,000 season ticket holders. And we worked hard, but now we sit here today, we have 16,000 season ticket holders and a sellout streak that is extremely successful and is number one in the NHL right now.”
That’s not just a stat. That’s a statement. It’s a testament to the culture the Lightning have built - one that’s rooted in community, not just competition.
As Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik has often said, the Lightning are a community brand. And this game is the ultimate reflection of that mission.
From Vision to Reality
Pulling off an outdoor hockey game in Florida isn’t easy. It’s a logistical puzzle that requires creativity, collaboration, and a bit of boldness. But Mayer and the NHL, alongside the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Tampa Sports Authority, and the Tampa Sports Commission, made it happen.
“These were people that never wanted to hear, ‘No,’” Mayer said. “For many years, it was just hard to figure out how to engineer what we're about to do. But once we were able to figure it out, we’re off and running, and I can't believe we're just a few short days away.”
That kind of teamwork - between the league, the franchise, and the city - is what makes events like this possible. And it’s a big reason why Tampa continues to be a go-to destination for major hockey moments.
More Than a Game
Yes, there’s a game to be played. And yes, it’ll be a spectacle. But this Stadium Series matchup is about more than who wins or loses under the lights at Raymond James.
It’s about showing the hockey world - and the sports world at large - what Tampa has become.
“This is not just a Tampa event,” Mayer said. “This is seen around the world, and this is a great chance for us to show Tampa to the rest of the world, not just everybody here.
And you can't discount that. That's so important.”
After this, the Lightning will turn their focus to the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and whatever comes next. But for now, this is a moment to savor. A moment earned.
Tampa didn’t just get an outdoor game. Tampa built this.