Bolts to Take on Bruins in Landmark Outdoor Game on February 1, 2026

How will the NHL pull off an outdoor game in Tampa? Just build it and they will come. The league is ready to embrace the risk of playing outside in the Sunshine State.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have had over a decade of proven success, now the hockey world gets to see it first hand.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will host an outdoor hockey game in 2026, facing off against the Boston Bruins under the lights at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bruins are set to take part in their sixth outdoor game in 2026, with Boston taking on the Lightning in Tampa.

Traveling northwest to Tampa Bay, the Lightning will play in their second Stadium Series contest in franchise history after defeating the Nashville Predators in 2022 at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Like their in-state counterpart, it’ll be the first time the Lightning have hosted an outdoor event in franchise history.

Who would have thought you could play hockey outside in Florida? Next year, the Tampa Bay Lightning will hit the ice al fresco at Raymond James Stadium on Gasparilla weekend.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

The NHL announced the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Winter Classic at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

For the first time in the NHL's 108-year history, there will be outdoor games played in Florida. Two games will be played in 2026.

The game will mark the sixth NHL regular-season outdoor game for the Bruins and first Stadium Series appearance

"This moment has been a long time coming, and we’re thrilled to see this dream become a reality," Lightning CEO Steve Griggs said in a statement.