NHL to Host Winter Classic and Stadium Series in Florida for First Time

The NHL announced Wednesday that it will bring its marquee outdoor games to Florida for the first time in 2026. The Florida Panthers will host the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2, facing the New York Rangers. Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Feb. 1, playing against the Boston Bruins.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called the decision a testament to the league’s willingness to embrace challenges. “Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our league isn’t willing to accept a challenge,” Bettman said in a statement. The announcement marks a significant milestone for hockey in Florida, a state that has seen exponential growth in the sport over the past three decades.

LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins, features a retractable roof, providing flexibility for weather conditions. Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is an open-air venue, raising questions about ice maintenance in warmer temperatures. However, the NHL has experience managing outdoor games in varying climates, including games played in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Florida’s hockey history dates back to the early 1990s, with the Lightning joining the NHL in 1992 and the Panthers following in 1993. Both teams have since become powerhouses, with the Lightning winning three Stanley Cups (2004, 2020, 2021) and the Panthers capturing their first championship in 2024. The state has also hosted multiple NHL Drafts and All-Star Games, solidifying its status as a hockey hub.

Panthers president Matt Caldwell expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “This is something we have wanted for a long time.” The Panthers have never participated in an outdoor game, while the Lightning made their outdoor debut in the 2022 Stadium Series in Nashville. The 2026 Winter Classic will be the Rangers’ sixth appearance in the event, and the Bruins will be playing in their sixth outdoor game.

The announcement reflects the NHL’s confidence in Florida’s hockey market, which has seen a 212% increase in ice hockey registration since 1999. The state now boasts a growing number of NHL players, with at least eight Florida-born players in the league for the past six seasons.

For fans like Nikolajs Slavin and his son, Nikolajs Slavin Jr., the news is a dream come true. The Panthers season ticket holders from West Palm Beach attended the 2025 Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, never imagining their home state would host such an event. “We never thought it would happen,” Slavin Jr. said. “No one thought it would happen.” Now, Florida hockey fans will have not one but two outdoor games to look forward to in 2026.