Panthers, Lightning to host outdoor games in 2026
Outdoor NHL hockey is coming to the Sunshine State.
The Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers for the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, 2026, and the Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Boston Bruins as part of the Stadium Series on Feb. 1, 2026, the NHL announced Wednesday.
The Panthers and Rangers will play at loanDepot Park, home of MLB's Miami Marlins. The Lightning will take on the Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, which hosts the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"Stanley Cups, strings of sellouts, and the exponential growth of youth and high school hockey throughout the state have demonstrated that Florida is a hockey hotbed," commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. "Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our league isn't willing to accept a challenge."
The Lightning faced the Nashville Predators outdoors as part of the 2022 Stadium Series. The Panthers have never played an outdoor game.
The Rangers are a perfect 5-0-0 in outdoor games, most recently beating the New York Islanders 6-5 in overtime at MetLife Stadium in 2024.
The Bruins last played outdoors at the 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. Boston is 4-1-0 all time in outdoor contests.
The St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2 in the Winter Classic on Dec. 31. The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium on Mar. 1.