NHL Taking 2026 Winter Classic To Florida

For the first time in its history, the NHL will bring two outdoor games to the state of Florida. First, the 2026 Winter Classic will be hosted by the Florida Panthers at LoanDepot Park against the New York Rangers. Unlike the 2025 Winter Classic, which was played on New Year’s Eve, the 2026 Winter Classic will be played on January 2nd.

Then, about a month later, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins on February 1st, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

During a quick segment on the NHL on TNT pregame show ahead of the 2025 Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman gave a little insight as to where the game in 2026 would be held, and it would be a little unusual.

“Next week, give or take,” said Commissioner Bettman when asked when the NHL would announce the next game. “It’s going to be a little unusual. It’s going to be a little more unique. Some people think we’ve lost our minds, but we’re not ready to announce it. We will soon, and it’s going to be good.”

As George Richards of Florida Hockey Now: Richards wrote last week, LoanDepot Park will be turned into a winter wonderland next season. He also indicated that the Lightning would be hosting an outdoor game as well; thus, they could not be the opponent for the Panthers.

Heading to Florida for two games is unusual, indeed. The NHL normally does not hold these outdoor games in warm climates. The last Winter Classic held in a warm stadium was the 2020 Winter Classic between the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators at the Cotton Bowl.

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However, given the sport’s rise in popularity and the success of the Florida teams, it makes sense that the Panthers and Lightning are being rewarded. As Full Press Hockey has reported, Florida has become the new state of hockey, and the world is finally going to see it.

“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. Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our League isn’t willing to accept a challenge,” said Commissioner Bettman in a press release.

For years, the NHL has been trying to find a way to play outdoor games in the state of Florida. As the Commissioner said in the press release both teams expressed repeatedly they wanted to give their fans this special experience. As Gary Bettman noted it will be a month long celebration of how the sport of hockey has grown in the state of Florida.

Everyone thought the NHL was crazy for expanding into the state of Florida more than 30 years ago. The Lightning entered the NHL in the 1992-93 season, while the Panthers entered in the 1993-94 season. Combined, the teams have been to seven Stanley Cup Finals and won four Stanley Cups. Most recently, the Panthers won the 2024 Stanley Cup, while the Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. 

TNT will broadcast the 2026 NHL Winter Classic between the Panthers and Rangers. ESPN will carry the 2026 Stadium Series game between the Lightning and Bruins.

The 2026 Winter Classic and 2026 Stadium Series will be the 44th and 45th outdoor games in league history.

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