2026 NHL Stadium Series tickets: The NHL’s outdoor showcase heads to Tampa for a first-of-its-kind Florida football-stadium game. Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning will meet at Raymond James Stadium as part of the Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. ET. Below is a thorough, easy-to-scan guide so you can plan your purchase and your trip with confidence—without wading through rumors or guesswork.
1) Key dates at a glance of 2026 NHL Stadium Series tickets
- Public on-sale: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, 10:00 a.m. ET
- Game date: Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026 — Bruins vs. Lightning
- Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
2) Why this matchup matters
This game pairs an Original Six draw (Boston) with a modern powerhouse (Tampa Bay). The Lightning have become a benchmark franchise in the cap era, and the Bruins travel with one of the league’s largest fan bases. The result is a marquee, national-stage event with playoff-level atmosphere in a neutral-site style setting.
3) Why the venue is special
Raymond James Stadium—best known for NFL Sundays—offers a dramatic, wide-open backdrop that outdoor hockey thrives on: grandstand sightlines, massive staging for player intros, and room for broadcast camera positions that make the telecast feel cinematic. For fans, it means more seating options and festive concourses tailored to big events.
4) Florida firsts and milestones
This is Tampa Bay’s first outdoor home game and a landmark for NHL events in Florida. It’s also the first NHL outdoor game held in a Florida football stadium, underscoring how far the sport has expanded in the Sun Belt.
5) How the ticketing typically works
Tickets are released at a set on-sale time and allocated across price tiers and sections throughout the stadium. Inventory often moves quickly at launch, so be ready a few minutes early, have payment details saved, and decide in advance which sections you’ll target (see Section 7). If demand is heavy, new batches can appear as holds clear; staying patient and refreshing within the official checkout flow can pay off.
6) Weather planning and the ice build
Warm-weather outdoor games require meticulous prep. The league’s playbook calls for building the rink under controlled conditions—shielded from sun and humidity—before the final reveal. In Florida, that means managing ice temperature, moisture, and sunlight with specialized equipment and scheduling. Expect a nighttime or late-day faceoff window to minimize direct sun and keep the surface crisp.
7) Choosing your seats: a practical overview
- Center-ice lower bowl: Most “traditional hockey” view; see plays develop and line changes.
- Corners: Great for tracking battles, rush entries, and net-front scrums.
- End zones: Closer to goalie action and team entrances; fun for warm-ups.
- Club/Mezzanine levels: Wider vistas and a full-stadium feel; good for photos and seeing the entire setup.
- Sightline tip: The rink sits on the field; elevation often beats proximity. A slightly higher row can help you see over benches and broadcast platforms.
8) What the game day should feel like
Outdoor games double as festivals. Anticipate team-themed fan activations, live entertainment, and a choreographed opening sequence that makes full use of the stadium scale—lights, pyro, and on-field staging. Concourse décor and pop-ups typically lean into the Stadium Series aesthetic, creating a “special-edition” vibe compared with a standard regular-season night.
9) Travel and timing pointers
- Arrive early. Outdoor spectacles draw bigger crowds and more pregame activity; build in time for parking and security.
- Layer up. Florida evenings can feel cooler in a large open venue; bring a light layer and something water-resistant for dew.
- Hydrate and pace yourself. It’s a long, celebratory day—snacks and water go a long way, especially if you’re exploring fan zones.
10) Context inside a Florida hockey month
The Stadium Series in Tampa lands in a month that showcases the sport’s growth in the state. With a separate outdoor headliner earlier in January in South Florida, the Sunshine State becomes a winter destination for traveling hockey fans, packing two massive spectacles into one calendar stretch.
What not to expect (and why)
- Exact faceoff time: Outdoor start times in warm markets are often finalized closer to the event, based on sun and temperature forecasts.
- Detailed pricing tiers here: Prices and availability shift by section and demand; the most reliable information appears at the instant of purchase.
- Long presale windows: These events prioritize a clear, public on-sale date to simplify inventory release and manage demand.
Quick prep checklist
- Calendar the on-sale: Sept. 18, 2025, 10 a.m. ET
- Decide your target sections and a backup choice
- Have payment details and account login ready
- Aim for slightly elevated rows for cleaner sightlines
- Screenshot your order confirmation once you check out
Bottom line
The 2026 NHL Stadium Series in Tampa is set up to be a can’t-miss, open-air showcase pitting the Bruins against the Lightning in a football cathedral. With 2026 NHL Stadium Series tickets hitting the market on Sept. 18 at 10 a.m. ET, a little planning—seat strategy, timing, and expectations—will help you secure a great view and soak in one of hockey’s most photogenic stages.
