Pirate Ships and Puck Drops: 2026 NHL Stadium Series Preview

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The 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series is set to transform Raymond James Stadium into a winter wonderland in the tropics this Sunday, February 1, 2026. For the first time in history, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host an outdoor game, welcoming the Boston Bruins to the home of the Buccaneers for a high-stakes Atlantic Division showdown.

The “X Marks the Spot” Spectacle

The NHL has gone “all-in” on Tampa’s pirate heritage, designing the field as a massive, wall-to-wall treasure map.

The Design: The rink sits at the center of a map dotted with hockey-themed landmarks like Lightning Lagoon, Bear’s Den, and Hedman Reef.
Gasparilla Vibes: Shipwreck remnants, sea creatures, and parade floats from the legendary Gasparilla Pirate Fest (which takes place the day before) will surround the ice.
The Intermission: Country music superstar Tim McGraw is scheduled to headline the first intermission performance on a custom-built wooden dock stage.

Defying the Florida Heat

Building a regulation NHL rink in an open-air Florida stadium is the league’s most ambitious engineering feat to date.

The “Cool” Tent: To combat humidity, the rink was built inside a 34-foot-high, climate-controlled structure. This tent will be dismantled just hours before puck drop to reveal the ice for the first time.
Perfect Weather: Nature is cooperating in a big way. Forecasts for Sunday evening predict temperatures in the low 40s (around 5°C) at puck drop—the coldest “Sunshine State” outdoor game conditions ever recorded.

Game Outlook: Playoff Intensity

This isn’t just an exhibition; the two points are critical in a razor-tight Atlantic Division.

The Standings: The Lightning (34-14-4) enter as the class of the division, while the Bruins (32-20-3) are fighting to close the five-point gap and move out of the wild-card hunt.
Victor Hedman’s Return? Lightning fans are on “Hedman Watch.” The All-Star defenseman, out since December following elbow surgery, has practiced in a regular jersey and is “targeting” this game for his return.
Bruins Injury Crisis: Boston faces a potential center shortage. Elias Lindholm and Pavel Zacha both suffered upper-body injuries this week, leaving rookie Matthew Poitras with a heavy workload in the outdoor spotlight.

The Kits: “Sky Blue” vs. “Sunshine Gold”

Both teams will debut “next-generation” uniforms designed specifically for the Florida sun:

Tampa Bay: A royal and “Sky Blue” look featuring a pirate-inspired shoulder patch and debossed “Gasparilla beads” on the sleeves.
Boston: A vibrant “Sunshine Gold” base with sun-ray embroidery on the sleeves and bear claw slashes on the “B” monogram.

Fan Info

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN, ESPN+, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Tickets: High demand has driven average prices to approximately $1,500, though “get-in” prices on resale markets like Ticketmaster and Vivid Seats started around $250–$300 as of Friday morning.