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

Hockey. Outdoors. In Florida. Next season, the NHL is making it happen twice. The NHL announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan.

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.

Bolts to Take on Bruins in Landmark Outdoor Game on February 1, 2026

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.

Traveling northwest to Tampa Bay, the Lightning will play in their second Stadium Series contest in franchise history after defeating the Nashville Predators in 2022 at Nissan Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Like their in-state counterpart, it’ll be the first time the Lightning have hosted an outdoor event in franchise history.

MIAMI -- Hockey ... 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 ...

playing host to the New York Rangers on January 2 at the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins. In addition, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in the NHL Stadium ...

FILE – The roof is open during an interleague opening day baseball game between the Miami Marlins and the Detroit Tigers, Tuesday, April 5, 2016, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File) Lightning

It’s a long time coming, but the Panthers and Lightning ... loanDepot Park in Miami — home of baseball’s Marlins — on Jan. 2, 2026, in the Winter Classic, with the Tampa Bay Lightning ...

The high in Miami on Jan. 2 this year was 78. The high in Tampa last year on Feb. 1 was 66. Those temperatures aren’t conducive to finding ice outside. And the high game-time temperature for any ...