It’ll mark the first time in league history that an outdoor game will be played at a football stadium in Florida, with thousands of people set to pack the stands.

TAMPA, Fla. — Preparations have been underway at Raymond James Stadium as the Tampa Bay Lightning get ready to make history at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series game.

It’ll mark the first time in league history that an outdoor game will be played at a football stadium in Florida, with thousands of people set to pack the stands. 

Crews have been working to transform the football field into an outdoor ice hockey rink, freezing all the necessary ice and making sure the design supports temperature control. The league has been building a regulation-size rink on the field inside a steel-framed, air-conditioned tent to protect it from the elements. The tent, which will span 34 feet high, 125 feet wide and 240 feet long, will be dismantled right before the game.

The game in Tampa comes after the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers faced off in front of a sold-out crowd of 36,153 at LoanDepot Park in Miami. That game, which happened on Jan. 2, was the first-ever outdoor hockey game in Florida.

Here’s what to know ahead of the NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium.


Fan festival prior to the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa

The official fan festival, known as the NHL PreGame, will be taking place just a few hours before the pucks hit the ice. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 at parking lots 5 and 7 outside the stadium.

The fan festival will feature interactive experiences and hockey-themed attractions from dozens of the NHL’s official partners. Fans can drop by the Fanatics activation tent to be scanned for their own keepsake AI bobblehead image, or even strap in for the “Giant Human Claw Machine” as they get lowered into a pit full of prizes.

A full list on what fans can expect at the fan festival can be found on the NHL’s website. A 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series ticket is required for entry. 


Parking for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series in Tampa

A parking pass is required for all on-site parking facilities at Raymond James Stadium on the day of the event, according to the NHL website. Parking passes may not be available for purchase on-site on the day of the event, so it’s recommended to purchase in advance through the ParkWhiz website. 

Parking facilities will open at 12:30 p.m. on the day of the event to accommodate guests attending the NHL PreGame.


Who is headlining the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa?

Country music legend Tim McGraw will perform at the highly anticipated outdoor game. He’ll sing hit songs like “Live Like You Were Dying,” “Something Like That” and “I Like It, I Love It” during the game’s first intermission on a stage alongside the rink. 

McGraw has sold a whopping 106 million records worldwide and secured 49 No. 1 singles in his decades-long career. On top of being one of the most successful touring acts in the history of country music, he has four New York Times bestselling books and has acted in works like “Friday Night Lights, “The Blind Side” and the “Yellowstone” prequel, “1883.”


Where to buy tickets for the Lightning vs. Bruins game in Tampa

Tickets for the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa can still be purchased on Ticketmaster. 


What time is the Lightning vs. Bruins game in Tampa?

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be taking on the Boston Bruins at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.