The NHL announced two outdoor game sites

Outdoor hockey is coming to Florida. The NHL will have games in Miami and Tampa next season.
The NHL announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami — home of baseball’s Marlins — on Jan. 2, 2026, in the Winter Classic, with the Tampa Bay Lightning playing host to the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on Feb. 1, 2026, in a Stadium Series game.
Florida to host 2 outdoor NHL games in 2026, including Winter Classic in Miami
The Panthers will host the Rangers at loanDepot park on Jan. 2, 2026, and the Lightning will host the Bruins at the Raymond James on Feb. 1.
NHL to hold outdoor games in Florida next season, including 2026 Winter Classic
Outdoor games have become a staple of the NHL's regular season schedule with contests being staged in some of baseball's and football's most iconic stadiums. The NHL has even held
The NHL announced two outdoor game sites and they are not where you'd expect them to be
Every year since 2008, the NHL has played at least one game outdoors whether it be in the Winter Classic, Stadium Series or Heritage Classic. Almost every time these games are scheduled, they're scheduled for cold weather sites because, you know, if it's too warm the ice will melt. Melted ice isn't great conditions for a hockey game.
Florida to host outdoor games in Miami and Tampa next season
Ice hockey may not evoke thoughts of beaches, sunshine and palm trees but that did not stop the NHL from announcing on Wednesday that, for the first time, it will hold outdoor games in Florida next season.
NHL plans to host two outdoor games in Florida in 2026
The National Hockey League is enjoying growth in Florida, where two of its most successful current franchises, the Lightning and Panthers, play.
NHL outdoor games in Miami, Tampa big step for NHL, Florida fans
LoanDepot Park, home of the Marlins of Major League Baseball, has a retractable roof. Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League, does not. But the NHL has played 42 outdoor games in all kinds of conditions.
Miami and Tampa to host outdoor NHL contests in 2026
Ice hockey rinks will join palm trees in sunny Florida next year when the NHL stages unprecedented outdoor games in Miami and Tampa, the league announced on Wednesday."The Panthers and Lightning have told us repeatedly that they and their fans want this special
NHL will have outdoor games in Miami and Tampa next season
Outdoor hockey in Florida is a long time coming, but the Panthers and Lightning have represented the Eastern Conference in each of the last five Stanley Cup Finals and they’ve built heavily engaged fan bases.
The NHL would have two outdoor games in Florida next season.
An outdoor NHL game often takes place in winter cities where the temperatures are frequently below zero degrees Celsius. This time, the NHL may have to push its limits for the presentation of its next two outdoor games.
The NHL goes ‘a little unusual’ by naming Miami and Tampa as winter hosts for marquee outdoor games in 2026
On Wednesday, the NHL revealed the league’s unique idea by announcing the 2026 Winter Classic will be played in South Florida at loanDepot park, the home of MLB’s Miami Marlins, on January 2.

NHL Stadium Series, Tampa Bay Lightning and Raymond James

‘Our time has come:’ Panthers to host 2026 Winter Classic as NHL celebrates state of Florida
The NHL announced Wednesday that the Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Winter Classic, facing the New York Rangers on Jan.
National Hockey League12h
Florida Panthers to Host 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic® at loanDepot park in Miami on Jan. 2
SUNRISE, Fla. – The National Hockey League announced today that the Discover 2026 NHL Winter Classic will feature the Florida ...