MIAMI — Next season, hockey will take center stage outdoors in Florida, with exciting events on the horizon. The NHL has revealed that the Florida Panthers, last season’s Stanley Cup champions, will face off against the New York Rangers in the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on January 2, 2026. Additionally, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in a Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium on February 1, 2026.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman praised the state’s commitment to hockey, noting, “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.” He emphasized the league’s determination to take on challenges, underscoring the significance of playing outdoor games in Florida.
The decision comes after both the Panthers and Lightning have represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Finals five times recently, alongside their growing fan bases. For years, both teams had advocated for outdoor games to be brought to Florida, which the league has now honored.
Matthew Caldwell, president of the Panthers, expressed excitement about the upcoming matches, stating, “To be able to celebrate these two franchises against great Original Six teams is phenomenal. Our time has come, and we’re fired up to have it right here locally.”
The venue for the Panthers-Rangers match, loanDepot Park, is situated about a 45-minute drive from the Panthers’ arena in Sunrise, with a seating capacity of approximately 37,000. Raymond James Stadium, home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, can accommodate around 65,000 fans for events, with the potential for expansion if necessary.
Lightning CEO Steve Griggs shared enthusiasm for the events, saying, “We couldn’t be more excited for this landmark event to finally arrive for Bolts Nation and the Tampa Bay community. This moment has been a long time coming, and we’re thrilled to see this dream become a reality.”
However, hosting outdoor games in Florida presents unique challenges. Last year, Miami recorded a high of 78 degrees on January 2, while Tampa saw a high of 66 degrees on February 1. Historically, the NHL’s previous outdoor games faced similar temperature challenges, with the warmest game-time temperature being 65 during a match in Denver in 2016.
Steve Mayer, the NHL president of content and events, acknowledged the risks involved but described them as opportunities. For the Panthers-Rangers matchup, loanDepot Park’s retractable roof will be crucial. The game is slated for a night when the roof will be opened, while air conditioning will be significantly utilized to maintain ice quality. Conversely, for the Lightning-Bruins showdown, a temporary roof will be erected over the open-air ice surface, which will be dismantled shortly before game time.
Mayer added, “We want to bring a little bit of a winter wonderland to Florida.”
These games in 2026 will mark the 44th and 45th outdoor regular-season contests in NHL history. The Rangers have a perfect record of 5-0-0 in prior outdoor games, while the Bruins have won four of their five, and the Lightning triumphed in their only outdoor appearance. Notably, the Panthers have never taken part in such an event.
“Having 100,000 people watching hockey live, outside, in Florida is simply unthinkable,” emphasized Bill Zito, Panthers general manager and hockey operations president. He expressed optimism about the growing popularity of hockey in Florida, highlighting the increasing number of fans engaging with the sport.
