Tampa, FL – The Tampa Bay Lightning are preparing for a rare outdoor regular season game as they get set to host the Boston Bruins in the NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium, bringing professional hockey to one of Florida’s largest sports venues on Friday.
The matchup marks the first time the Lightning will play an outdoor game on home ice and the first NHL game ever held at the stadium.
Transforming an NFL stadium into a hockey venue has required weeks of planning and construction.
Crews have installed a full regulation NHL rink on top of the football field, complete with specialized cooling systems designed to handle Florida’s warm winter conditions.
The league has also constructed a large climate controlled enclosure to protect the ice during the build process and maintain playing quality leading up to game day.
Lightning players have continued their regular season schedule while adjusting to the unique environment that comes with an outdoor setting.
Team officials say the conditions, sightlines, and atmosphere will be different from a traditional arena but emphasize that the ice surface will meet NHL standards.
The Bruins, a long established Original Six franchise, will be playing in their first Stadium Series game, adding significance to the matchup.
The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans and includes expanded security, traffic planning, and fan engagement activities around the stadium.
League officials view the game as an opportunity to showcase hockey to a broader audience while highlighting Tampa Bay as a major sports market capable of hosting marquee national events.