TAMPA, Fla. — For the first time in National Hockey League history, outdoor games will be played in Florida.

The NHL on Wednesday announced that the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins next season in the "2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series" on Feb. 1, 2026.

That game will be played at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Meanwhile, in January, the Florida Panthers will play host to the New York Rangers at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2, 2026, in the "Discover NHL Winter Classic."

“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," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

"Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our League isn’t willing to accept a challenge."

In the more than 30 years since the NHL expanded into Florida – the Lightning’s first season was 1992-93, and the Panthers’ first season was 1993-94 – both franchises have enjoyed significant success, including most recently with each of the last five Stanley Cup Final series featuring one of the Florida franchises.

The Panthers captured their first Stanley Cup championship in 2024 while the Lightning have won three championships in their history, including back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021.

You can read the full release about the outdoor games by clicking here.