Although some fans may think, the NHL still has success in these outdoor games. Whether it’s the Winter Classics or the Stadium Series, these games are still very popular, especially for areas where the games are hosted. Just watch last year in the Winter Classics and Stadium Series between Wrigley Field and Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets.
NHL is still very popular outdoor games
That stadium series on Ohio State campus, on Horseshoe, attracted record crowds and record audiences on TV. A big reason is the playoff impact around the blue jacket and Red Wings game. For the most part, these games have been in traditional cold cities.
However, games have been played in Texas, Tennessee and California. Now, the NHL is taking the risk of bringing these outdoor games to next season’s hockey NSW Florida. The Florida Panthers will hold a Winter Classic at Marlins Park on January 2, 2026. Then, a month later, Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Brown Bears on February 2, 2026 at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
As Steve Mayer, NHL’s president of content and events told NHLRUMORS.com’s Jim Biringer that the outdoor game to be played in Florida next year involves Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Black Panthers. Mayer describes the uniqueness of each game and the challenge of building an ice rink and preparing for the match day.
nhlrumors.com Transcription
NHL News: Florida hosts 2026 Winter Classics and 2026 Stadium Series
Jim Biringer: “Do you guys have already made designs in those two games, especially in Florida Black Panthers Games and Tampa Bay Lightning Games, and when I heard you were going to go to two games in Florida, I said, OK, I want to see these games in person because I want to see what they do because every stadium series or winter classic is unique.”
Steve Mayer: “Yes, these two people will be as unique as we were before. Yes, we do have designs. We’ve been to Florida. In fact, we were in Miami and Tampa last week. We’re working on it. We’re working on it, the whole team is motivated, activated and energetic, ready, ready. This is a risk we’ve had, but we can imagine it, and we can imagine it.
Obviously, Miami games will be different from Tampa games. In Miami, the stadium has a roof, so we were able to build the rink and ice comfortably, which we called 50 degrees because we set it to 50 degrees in the building, which absolutely can. Then, one day of the game, we will open the roof and we will play some hockey. In Tampa, this will be very different from Florida or Miami. I should say that in Tampa, we are building a tent warehouse to build an ice rink inside the stadium inside Raymond James.
NHL Rumor: Florida Black Panthers and Five Potential Eric Carlson Destinations
So we will first build this warehouse structure, then build the rink under it, and then on the day of the game we will actually deconstruct the facility, the warehouse, we will play hockey. Of course, in Florida, the risk is not only the weather, not only the high temperature, but also the rain.
But obviously we will take some opportunities and we think we will succeed. We put ourselves in the best position to succeed and it would be a great story. The content it will come out from there is very interesting to say the least.
Then, like Florida is a hotbed for hockey, I use the term hotbed, I have to be careful because I don’t want it to be too hot. But we will sell both games. Fan base is just crazy for their team. These games are the first time in Florida, and it is the first time the Panthers have competed in outdoor games. So everything is great.
This will be an event. In my world, it’s so cool when we can say it’s going to be an event. ”
Florida fans have wanted these outdoor games for years. Well, now they’re going to get them, the hockey world can’t wait to see what happens, and the NHL pulls it away.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor reviews and hot topics across the league. We also posted some content on Instagram.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcw0hxcym8m
