On Jan. 22, NHL President of Events & Content Steve Mayer addressed the media in front of a semi-constructed tent at Raymond James Stadium.There was concern as to whether an outdoor hockey game in Tampa Bay would pan out, but Mayer exuded a strong sense of confidence in the NHL’s plan.NHL President of Events & Content Steve Mayer said, “What we’re doing is essentially building a tent that will go from goal line to goal line and underneath that tent, we’re building the ice.”Build it, and they will come (they being a climate-controlled tent to bring outdoor hockey to South Florida).For decades, these kinds of events have always taken place where there is winter weather, but in 2026, South Florida decided it was time to break the ice, with both of their championship teams hosting events.As cool as that sounds, a climate-controlled tent is a process with a lot of moving parts, so why go through all the trouble?Because over the past decade, South Florida has dominated professional hockey.Mayer said, “These are two of the biggest and most successful franchises in the NHL. They’ve won Stanley Cups. We needed to do a game here, I mean, this is a hotbed of hockey now.”Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk said, “I think having the outdoor games is really cool as well, along with Tampa winning championships however many years ago and us winning the last two, that itself grows the game of hockey.”Winning has its perks, and for this area, that includes two very passionate fanbases.Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said, “If you asked me 20 years ago if hockey in Florida was going to make it, I’m not so sure I would have thought that it was going to happen, and now you’ve got two organizations and a state that are thriving with the sport, and for me that’s the win.”With how much success these teams have found, you can expect a lot more of these events for years to come.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

TAMPA, Fla. —

On Jan. 22, NHL President of Events & Content Steve Mayer addressed the media in front of a semi-constructed tent at Raymond James Stadium.

There was concern as to whether an outdoor hockey game in Tampa Bay would pan out, but Mayer exuded a strong sense of confidence in the NHL’s plan.

NHL President of Events & Content Steve Mayer said, “What we’re doing is essentially building a tent that will go from goal line to goal line and underneath that tent, we’re building the ice.”

Build it, and they will come (they being a climate-controlled tent to bring outdoor hockey to South Florida).

For decades, these kinds of events have always taken place where there is winter weather, but in 2026, South Florida decided it was time to break the ice, with both of their championship teams hosting events.

As cool as that sounds, a climate-controlled tent is a process with a lot of moving parts, so why go through all the trouble?

Because over the past decade, South Florida has dominated professional hockey.

Mayer said, “These are two of the biggest and most successful franchises in the NHL. They’ve won Stanley Cups. We needed to do a game here, I mean, this is a hotbed of hockey now.”

Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk said, “I think having the outdoor games is really cool as well, along with Tampa winning championships however many years ago and us winning the last two, that itself grows the game of hockey.”

Winning has its perks, and for this area, that includes two very passionate fanbases.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said, “If you asked me 20 years ago if hockey in Florida was going to make it, I’m not so sure I would have thought that it was going to happen, and now you’ve got two organizations and a state that are thriving with the sport, and for me that’s the win.”

With how much success these teams have found, you can expect a lot more of these events for years to come.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.