NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has praised Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik's relentless efforts in securing the 2026 Stadium Series game for the city. The outdoor matchup against the Boston Bruins is set for February 1 at Raymond James Stadium. This event marks the first outdoor NHL game in Tampa, promising unique challenges and fan excitement.
The National Hockey League announced that the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on February 1 at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman highlighted Lightning Chairman and Governor Jeff Vinik's persistence in bringing an outdoor game to Tampa, describing him as 'relentless.'
Bettman noted that the idea gained traction after the 2018 NHL All-Star Game in Tampa, where a billboard urged the league to host an outdoor event. 'That timing wasn't right, but over the last few years, we remained focused, Jeff Vinik remained relentless, and we continued to think about and explore the ways that we could do it,' Bettman said. He added that the game will be 'different from any one we've ever done,' as it is the league's first outdoor contest at a non-domed stadium in Florida.
To address the region's climate, the NHL plans to build the ice sheet inside a massive air-conditioned tent in the week leading up to the game, then disassemble it six hours before puck drop. The nighttime start will help mitigate sun exposure and ice melt, though weather remains unpredictable. 'The most important thing about the outdoor games is the connection it makes with our fans. We do it for our fans,' Bettman emphasized.
This will be the second outdoor NHL game in Florida this season, following the New York Rangers' 5-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic on January 2 at loanDepot Park in Miami. Bettman praised Vinik's broader impact: 'You can't talk about the success this franchise has had on and off the ice... without talking about Jeff Vinik. He has made all the difference in the world.' The event underscores the Lightning's growing prominence, with 25,000 fans having traveled to Nashville for a previous outdoor game in 2022.
