The “Sunshine State” has hosted the Eastern Conference Champion each of the last five seasons. In 2026, it will host a pair of outdoor games.
2026 Winter Classic
You won’t want to miss it!
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) January 8, 2025
The game will occur at loanDepot Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. The Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers in the 17th Winter Classic. loanDepot Park will be the tenth MLB park to host the event.
It will be the Panthers first appearance outdoors. For the Rangers, this will be their third Winter Classic after appearing in 2012 and 2018. Furthermore, the team participated in Stadium Series games in 2014 and 2024 at Yankee Stadium and MetLife Stadium, respectively.
2026 Stadium Series
Outdoor hockey is coming to Tampa
We’re hosting the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union
NHL #StadiumSeries at @RJStadium!
: https://t.co/gCWR8bjJjL pic.twitter.com/H1OXZyAko4
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 8, 2025
The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins at Raymond-James Stadium, home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This will be the second outdoor game for the Lightning, as well as their first time hosting. For the Bruins, this will be their first appearance in the Stadium Series. However, this will be their sixth outdoor game, after appearing in the 2010, 2016, 2019, and 2023 Winter Classic. Boston became the first city to host multiple Winter Classic games in 2016. In addition, Boston’s Fenway Park became the first venue to host multiple Winter Classic games in 2023.
Florida’s Success Earned Outdoor Games
Either the Lightning or the Panthers have represented the Eastern Conference in the Stanley Cup Final since 2020. The two teams have won a combined three Stanley Cups in those appearances. It is fitting that the NHL is choosing to let both teams receive the honour of hosting outdoor games.
While it would have made sense to have the Panthers and Lightning face each other in an outdoor game, the way the NHL has chosen makes more sense. This gives both teams the honour of hosting an outdoor game as an award for their recent success. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Rangers and the Bruins maintains the tradition of an “Original Six” team in an outdoor game. In the process, the NHL is honouring its history while celebrating the success of the present. That is what these outdoor games have always been about. It is fitting that the Panthers and Lightning receive this honour of hosting outdoor games in 2026.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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