Tampa Bay and Miami to host outdoor games in the 2026 NHL Stadium Series

Ice hockey rinks will be accompanied by palm trees in sunny Florida next year, as the NHL has announced plans for unprecedented outdoor games in Miami and Tampa.

The 2026 NHL Winter Classic is set to feature the Florida Panthers, the current Stanley Cup champions, who will host the New York Rangers on January 2 at the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins.

Additionally, the Tampa Bay Lightning will welcome the Boston Bruins in the NHL Stadium Series on February 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium, the home ground of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? It should never be said that our league shies away from a challenge," stated NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

"The Panthers and Lightning have consistently expressed their desire for this unique experience, and we are excited to orchestrate a month-long celebration of hockey across Florida, culminating in Tampa."

The Lightning, the NHL's inaugural Florida team, commenced play in the 1992-93 season, followed by the Panthers in the subsequent season.

Florida teams have participated in each of the last five Stanley Cup finals, with the state claiming its first championship in 2024. The Lightning secured the trophy in both 2020 and 2021.

The Rangers boast an impressive record of 5-0-0 in outdoor games, while the Panthers will be making their outdoor game debut.

The Bruins have a record of 4-1 in outdoor contests, and Tampa Bay's only previous outdoor game resulted in a 3-2 victory against Nashville in 2022.

These events will represent the 44th and 45th outdoor games in NHL history.

The Miami venue features a retractable roof; however, the NHL has previously played outdoors in temperatures reaching 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius), as evidenced by Detroit's 5-3 victory over Colorado in Denver in 2016.

"In Miami, we fully intend to play with the roof open, but the retractable roof provides us with flexibility and safeguards our rink setup," remarked Dean Matsuzaki, NHL Executive Vice President of Events.

"In Tampa, the venue is entirely open-air, making the rink setup more exposed."

Following the Miami game, the only team from the inaugural season that will not have participated in an NHL outdoor event is the Utah team.

"This is an opportunity we have long anticipated," stated Panthers president Matt Caldwell. "For the past five years, the Stanley Cup has passed through Florida, and we are hopeful that this year will mark a sixth occasion.

"I believe our moment has arrived, and we are worthy of being included in an outdoor game."