The game of hockey has had quite a run in recent years in the state of Florida. The Florida Panthers are the defending Stanley Cup winners, and the Tampa Bay Lightning have won back-to-back Stanley Cups from 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. Despite all that success, neither the Panthers nor Lightning have played in an outdoor game because how can you in Florida?
Turns out, the NHL and Raymond James Stadium feel like achieving the impossible in 2026.
The NHL announced this week that the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, will play host to the Lightning as they take on the Boston Bruins on February 1, 2026. The game will be the first outdoor game played in the state of Florida under the NHL banner.
The NHL is not unusual in playing in a warm state. In the past, they have played in California and Texas and had the games go smoothly. It is worth noting, though, that the average high in Tampa Bay in February is 75 degrees, so the NHL and Raymond James Stadium will have their work cut out for them.