2026 NHL Winter Classic and Stadium Series are coming to the state of Florida. The 2026 Winter Classic will take place on January 2nd at Loan Depot Park in Miami between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers. Following that up will be the Stadium Series. February 2nd 2026 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa the Tampa Bay Lightning will play host to the Boston Bruins.
The NHL has had outdoor games in all kinds of venues and markets, but this is the first time they are venturing to the state of Florida for outdoor games. And it's about time. The last five Eastern Conference Champions, and three of the last five Stanley Cup Champions have resided in the Sunshine State. This has turned into very much a hockey state.
The NHL is finally expanding the hockey market to the south with these outdoor games. These two venues should have no problem drawing the crowds that the NHL is looking for. Hockey has grown leaps and bounds in the state of Florida since teams have joined down here in 1993. This will not be the first time the NHL has attracted huge crowds for stadium games in the state of Florida. The Lightning played at the ThunderDome, the domed stadium now known as Tropicana Field, from 1993-96. They drew 28,183 for their 4-1 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 23, 1996. That was the NHL record until the League began playing outdoor games in 2003.
The opponents for these two games are pretty good choices. The Rangers are a huge draw playing in Miami. As for who Tampa, it's fitting they facing one of their biggest rivals in the Boston Bruins.
Both Florida teams have been a draw and it's going to get even better with these outdoor games coming up
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