NHL to Host Unprecedented Outdoor Games in Florida in 2026

The NHL is bringing the excitement of outdoor hockey to sunny Florida next year with two unprecedented games set to take place in Miami and Tampa. The Florida Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, will host the New York Rangers in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic on January 2 at the Miami Marlins’ ballpark. Following that, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Boston Bruins in the NHL Stadium Series on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman expressed excitement about the unique opportunity, stating, “Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our league isn’t willing to accept a challenge.” Both the Panthers and Lightning have expressed their desire for this special experience, and the league is planning a month-long celebration of hockey in Florida leading up to the Tampa game.

Florida has seen success in recent years, with both the Panthers and Lightning making appearances in the Stanley Cup finals. The Panthers claimed their first title in 2024, while the Lightning lifted the trophy in 2020 and 2021. The upcoming outdoor games will mark the 44th and 45th outdoor contests in NHL history.

The Miami venue, with its retractable roof, will provide a unique setting for the Winter Classic, while the open-air environment of Raymond James Stadium will offer a different experience for the Stadium Series. Panthers president Matt Caldwell expressed the team’s excitement, saying, “Our time has come and we deserve to be in an outdoor game.”

With the NHL continuing to push boundaries and bring the excitement of outdoor hockey to new locations, fans in Florida can look forward to a memorable experience next year.