Hockey’s biggest outdoor party is heading to Florida – twice.
The NHL dropped some major news that’s sure to raise eyebrows: The 2026 Winter Classic will be played in Miami, marking the first time this signature event has ventured into the Sunshine State.
The Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers on January 2 at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. But that’s not all – Tampa’s getting in on the action too.
Just a month later, on February 1, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, where the NFL’s Buccaneers usually play.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman isn’t shy about breaking new ground. “Florida is a hockey hotbed,” he said. “Never let it be said that our League isn’t willing to accept a challenge.”
It’s been quite a journey for hockey in Florida. Both teams arrived in the early ’90s – the Lightning in 1992 and the Panthers following a year later. Since then, they’ve turned the state into a legitimate hockey powerhouse.
Just look at the numbers: A Florida team has played in each of the last five Stanley Cup Finals. The Panthers are fresh off their first-ever Cup victory in 2024, while Tampa Bay has three championships to their name, including back-to-back wins in 2020 and 2021.
For the Panthers, this will be their Winter Classic debut. The Rangers? They’re old hands at this, making their sixth appearance. Their last outdoor game was a thriller – a 3-2 overtime win against Buffalo at Citi Field in 2018.
The Lightning have played outdoors once before, beating Nashville 3-2 in 2022. Boston brings plenty of outdoor experience too, with a impressive 4-1 record in these special games.
But here’s the real challenge: weather. The NHL’s never staged the Winter Classic this far south, and past outdoor games in warm spots have had their issues. Remember the 2021 game in Lake Tahoe? They had to pause it for hours because the sun was melting the ice.
That game didn’t finish until nearly 2 a.m. Eastern time – though Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon made it worth the wait with a goal and two assists in their 3-2 win.
Will the NHL pull off this bold experiment? We’ll find out in 2026. One thing’s for sure – hockey in Florida isn’t just surviving anymore. It’s thriving.
