Report: Panthers, Lightning to host outdoor games next season

The NHL might be taking its game outdoors in the warmest climate in the league.

According to Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards, the NHL is expected to host outdoor games in Florida during the 2025-26 season, with the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning having contests in their markets.

During the TNT broadcast of the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Eve, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stated the league will be making an official announcement in the near future, and the plans for outdoor games will be “a little unusual.”

“It’s going to be a little more unique,” Bettman said. “Some people will think we’ve lost our minds. We’re not ready to announce it, but we will soon. And it’s going to be good.”

The Panthers would be holding their game at LoanDepot Park, the home of the MLB’s Miami Marlins, in Little Havana. Per Richards, rumors arose that the New York Rangers would be Florida’s opponent.

Richards stated that an outdoor edition of The Battle of Florida will not happen, as the Lightning will be hosting their own game as well. The logical venue for that game would be at the home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Raymond James Stadium, especially since the only other large stadium in the area, Tropicana Field, had its roof destroyed by Hurricane Milton.

With the Columbus Blue Jackets set to host the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Stadium Series on March 1, the Panthers will be one of two teams remaining that have yet to play an outdoor game. The only other team that has yet to play outside is the Utah Hockey Club.

The Lightning faced the Nashville Predators in the Music City as part of the 2022 Stadium Series, beating the Preds 3-2.

This wouldn’t be the first time the NHL has held games in the Sun Belt. The Predators faced the Dallas Stars at the Cotton Bowl in the 2020 Winter Classic, while the league has held a pair of games in California.