Ice hockey might not typically conjure images of beaches, sunshine, and palm trees, but the NHL is breaking new ground by announcing the upcoming outdoor games set to take place in Florida next season. For the first time ever, the league will bring the excitement of outdoor hockey to the Sunshine State.
The Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers in the highly anticipated Jan. 2 Winter Classic, which will be held at the home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. Following this marquee event, the Tampa Bay Lightning will square off against the Boston Bruins in a Stadium Series game scheduled for Feb. 1, 2026, at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In the context of recent triumphs, the Panthers clinched their inaugural Stanley Cup championship in 2024, while the Lightning boast an impressive three championships in their franchise history, with consecutive titles claimed in 2020 and 2021.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman underscored the significance of these milestone events, stating in a news release, “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. Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our league isn’t willing to accept a challenge.”
Since the NHL’s expansion into Florida over 30 years ago, both the Panthers and Lightning have enjoyed notable success, a trend that has been accentuated by their recent appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, with each of the last five series featuring one of the Florida-based franchises.
Outdoor games have become a signature feature of the NHL’s regular season calendar, with matches held in iconic venues typically associated with baseball and football. Notably, the league has even ventured into warm-weather locales for outdoor games, including Los Angeles, Dallas, and Nashville.
The 2024-25 NHL season witnessed the Winter Classic on Dec. 31 in Chicago, and the forthcoming season will see Columbus hosting a Stadium Series game in March as part of the league’s ongoing efforts to bring the thrill of outdoor hockey to fans across various regions.
This groundbreaking development was originally reported by USA TODAY, highlighting the NHL’s commitment to innovation and inclusivity by bringing the excitement of outdoor games to Florida in 2026, including the much-anticipated Winter Classic.
