Lightning’s rink renamed to Benchmark International Arena

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s home rink will have a new name for the 2025-26 NHL season and beyond, as the team announced that AMALIE Arena has been renamed Benchmark International Arena as part of a multi-year naming rights deal.

Vinik Sports Group and Benchmark International announced the new name for the multi-use hockey and entertainment venue on Aug. 13, officially ending the building’s 11-year tenure where it was known as AMALIE Arena. 

Ahead of the new season, the building will undergo a thorough rebranding process of all signage, and a renaming of the premium club level to the Benchmark International Club Level. 

Benchmark International, a mergers and acquisitions firm, marks the fifth name of the arena, which opened as the Ice Palace in 1996, before spending several years as the St. Pete Times Forum and Tampa Bay Times Forum, before the 2014 branding of AMALIE Arena. 

During its time as AMALIE Arena, the Lightning won two Stanley Cups and made four Stanley Cup finals. However, their 2020 Stanley Cup win and series were played in Edmonton during the COVID-19 NHL bubble. 

“Benchmark International is a well-respected brand with global reach and strong ties to the Tampa Bay community,”  Vinik Sports Group CEO Steve Griggs said. “This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, service and community impact. As we transition to this new era, we are grateful for our long-time naming rights partner, AMALIE Motor Oil, who will continue to be a corporate partner of our organization.”

“This arena belongs to everyone in Tampa Bay. We’re excited to invite fans, families and the entire community to be part of this historic new chapter.”

The Lightning will play their first regular-season game at Benchmark International Arena on Oct. 9 against the Ottawa Senators, with hopes of paving the way to a better season, after falling out of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first round against their rivals, the Florida Panthers.