Over the years, the National Hockey League has set the standard for storied venues for its Stadium Series games. From legendary places like Yankee Stadium to service academy campuses like the U.S. Naval Academy and Air Force Academy, the NHL has brought an entertaining product to fans, with top-notch rivalry games in an exciting environment. This year will be no different.
The 2026 NHL Stadium Series is sponsored by USAA, and it already looks like it will be insane. This year, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins will be facing off in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium. That’s right… there will be hockey. Outdoors. In Florida.
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Typically, the outdoor games are hosted in northern cities where you might expect outdoor hockey to be played. But these are unprecedented times, and the NHL has been very keen to break precedents. Don’t believe me? Last season, it abandoned the usual All-Star Week and instead hosted a whole Four Nations Tournament, pitting Team USA against Canada, a game which featured a lot of goals and a lot more fights (three fights to start off a game was pretty fun/insane/really fun).
The Bruins were 2-2 against the Lightning for the 2024-2025 season, but there was never a dull moment. (Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now, thanks to a partnership with USAA, the NHL will have another audacious spectacle as fans will be able to watch hockey while working on their suntans. Tampa Bay, which has been a top-level team the last few years, will be playing in its backyard. Their opponents, the Boston Bruins, have struggled of late but will be bringing a massive contingent of rabid fans down south.
The 2025 iteration of the Stadium Series was hosted by the Ohio State University, where the Columbus Blue Jackets played the Detroit Red Wings in the behemoth Ohio Stadium. That game drew not just on hockey enmity but the deep-seated hatred between the states of Ohio and Michigan (who went to war over Toledo. Look it up!).
The 2025 Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium. Hockey the way it was meant to be played. (Phoenix Five)
While the rivalry between Boston and Tampa isn’t as intense, the teams are probably going to go all out to win, especially under such historic conditions. And of course, fans are going to see what special jerseys each team rocks to commemorate the series. While it remains to be seen what entertainment and events will be around the game, we know USAA will also probably go all out.
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This isn’t the first rodeo for USAA (which has also literally sponsored rodeos). The banking and insurance giant has plenty of military and sports partnerships, most notably the annual Army-Navy Game. It has also been involved with military activations with the NFL (see Salute to Service month every November), motor racing, and other sports. This Stadium Series game will be one to watch!
The 2026 NHL Stadium Series begins February 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.