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Outdoor hockey in Florida? The National Hockey League says it’s up for the challenge.
The NHL announced Wednesday that it will hold its first outdoor game in the Sunshine State.
There will be two matchups in the league next year, one as part of the Winter Classic, followed by a Stadium Series game.
The first game will be on January 2, 2026, when the Florida Panthers take on the New York Rangers at Lawndepot Park, home of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins.
A month later, the NHL will play the game again in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
NHL plans to hold two outdoor hockey games in Florida in 2026
But why host winter sports outdoors in a warm-weather state?
“The Stanley Cup, a string of sold-out games, and the rapid growth of youth and high school hockey across the state prove that Florida is a hotbed for hockey,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
“Never let it be said that our league is not willing to accept the challenge,” he added.
To accomplish this feat, the league announced it would use the roof of Miami’s Lawn Depot Park until the game begins to prevent the ice from melting. The roof will then open for matches to be held outdoors under stadium lights.
It will be a bigger challenge for Tampa because Raymond James Stadium doesn’t have a roof. So the NHL announced it would build a roof structure on top of the ice and remove the ice before the game.
The league anticipates preparation and preparation times similar to other outdoor events it has held in the past. The NHL said the stadium installation will take about two weeks.
A photo of the sign Tampa Sports erected in 2018 to attract outdoor games.
NHL President of Content and Events Steve Meyer told CNBC that this matchup will cost more than a traditional Winter Classic or Stadium Series game.
“It’s much more difficult to build structures that have never had to be built before,” he said. “I would say we are getting an incredible contribution from the Florida Athletic Commission, who understands the value of big events.”
The league said it expects about 100,000 people to attend both events combined.
Professional hockey in Florida has been a bright spot for the league. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have won the Stanley Cup a combined four times since joining the NHL more than 30 years ago. The Panthers are the league’s reigning champions.
That success is felt off the ice.
The Lightning are currently valued at $1.8 billion and the Panthers at $1.35 billion, according to CNBC’s official NHL valuations.
Hockey’s success in Florida has also created a new generation of young fans.
According to the NHL, ice hockey enrollment in Florida has increased 212% since 1999, with more than 21,000 players registered in the state last season. Women’s hockey participation in Florida alone is on the rise, up about 16% year-over-year and 56% over the past eight years, the league said.
Meyer attributes the growth of hockey in Florida to several factors. Florida snowbirds fell in love with the game, and local communities embraced the Panthers and Lightning.
The NHL acknowledges there are risks in trying to hold outdoor games in Florida, but says the rewards are worth it.
“We understand there’s some risk involved, but every game we play, no matter where we go, there’s a risk involved,” Mayer said. “I feel like Florida is embracing the growth of hockey and the game. It felt like the perfect time.”
