Lightning And Bruins Prepare For Historic Outdoor NHL Showdown

Excitement is reaching fever pitch in Tampa as the city prepares to host its first-ever outdoor NHL game, marking a historic milestone for both the Tampa Bay Lightning and the state of Florida. Down the road from the Lightning’s usual home at Benchmark International Arena, Raymond James Stadium—typically the fortress of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers—is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The stadium is being reimagined as a hockey venue for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series, where the Lightning will face off against the Boston Bruins on February 1, 2026.

Lightning fans, players, and staff have had this event circled on their calendars for months, but as defenseman JJ Moser put it, "It kind of crept up on you fast." Indeed, the anticipation in the locker room is palpable, and with just five games left before the big day, the reality of hosting Tampa Bay’s first outdoor hockey game is finally setting in.

"It’s pretty damn cool, to be honest," said veteran defenseman Victor Hedman. For Hedman, who was drafted by the Lightning in 2009 and recently became the first defenseman in franchise history to play 1,000 NHL games, this is yet another career milestone. "That’s hockey how I know it growing up back home. This is obviously a little bit bigger," Hedman added, reflecting on the magnitude of the moment for both himself and the team.

Hosting an NHL game outdoors in Florida’s warm climate is no small feat. The NHL has assembled an ice crew of 26 people, with around 100 total personnel working tirelessly to construct the rink and supporting facilities. The process of creating a regulation NHL ice surface inside Raymond James Stadium is intricate and time-consuming—taking about six days just to freeze the necessary layers of ice. Unlike a typical indoor rink, the outdoor ice for this event will be between two and three inches thick, nearly double the standard, to help it withstand the Florida heat.

The ice itself is being built atop blocks, piping, and plywood, all designed to support state-of-the-art refrigeration and temperature control. NHL Vice President of Hockey Operations Derek King and Senior Manager of Facilities Operations Andrew Higgins are overseeing every detail. King explained, "Once the tent is up, we’re going to have some HVAC units, dehumidification units inside the tent—same process that they would do at any other arena." The NHL is also employing tarps, tents, and cooling systems to keep the ice in pristine condition, with the biggest concern being a long, warm rain rather than the cold that typically threatens outdoor hockey games elsewhere.

"A brief shower, sun, any of that, we’ve lived through before," Higgins said. "Really, we’re just worried about a long warm rain." But the outlook is promising, as Higgins noted that the forecast for game day is mid to low 60s Fahrenheit—"pretty much perfect for us." Still, the NHL is taking no chances, bringing in two refrigeration units to ensure the ice holds up even if temperatures climb to 75 degrees.

For the Lightning, the event is about more than just the logistics. It’s a celebration of how far the franchise has come. Tampa Bay has reached the NHL playoffs in eight consecutive seasons, cementing its reputation as one of the league’s elite teams. "The Lightning has been a team that is looked upon as one of the best in the NHL. So it’s fitting for us to get an outdoor game. That’s for sure," Hedman remarked. He also shared, "There is Lightning everywhere. It’s very cool to see what’s it’s gone from when I first got here to where it is today."

Coach Jon Cooper echoed the excitement, emphasizing the uniqueness of the occasion. "There’s going to be 70,000+ people that are making their way to Tampa to go watch this game," Cooper said. For a city that’s never hosted an outdoor NHL game, the prospect of such a massive crowd is both exhilarating and a testament to hockey’s growing popularity in the region. Cooper also joked about the timing, noting, "It’s Gasparilla weekend. If you’ve ever been to Gasparilla, I feel like it’s just going to roll right into Raymond James [Stadium] on Sunday." The combination of the city’s famous pirate festival and the Stadium Series promises a truly electric atmosphere.

The NHL Stadium Series itself has a storied history, having started in 2014 with a memorable game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The league has since brought outdoor hockey to iconic venues across the country, adapting its playbook to the unique challenges each location presents. Just weeks ago, the Florida Panthers played their first outdoor game at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic against the New York Rangers. Now, it’s Tampa Bay’s turn to shine on the national stage.

Adding to the spectacle, Grammy Award-winning country star Tim McGraw is slated to perform during the first intermission. Fans can look forward to live renditions of hits like "Live Like You Were Dying," "Something Like That," and "I Like It, I Love It" on a stage set up beside the rink. It’s yet another element that makes this event more than just a hockey game—it’s a full-blown celebration of sports, music, and community.

As the days tick down to February 1, the stadium continues its metamorphosis. Aerial footage has captured the steady progress as crews work around the clock to ensure every detail is perfect. The Lightning will get their first skate on the outdoor ice the day before the game, giving players a chance to adjust to the unique conditions. Hedman noted, "As a player you look at like the bounces off the walls and the ice quality. Is it harder, softer? You can make small adjustments to your skates regarding that in the way you sharpen them."

With over 70,000 fans expected to pack Raymond James Stadium, the energy promises to be unmatched. The logistics may be daunting, but the NHL and the Lightning are pulling out all the stops to deliver an unforgettable experience. And with the weather forecast looking favorable, all eyes will be on Tampa as it enters the annals of hockey history.

As the rink nears completion and the city buzzes with anticipation, one thing is clear: Tampa Bay is ready to embrace outdoor hockey in style. The Lightning, their fans, and the entire NHL community are set for a weekend that won’t soon be forgotten.