In a groundbreaking announcement, the National Hockey League (NHL) has revealed its innovative plan for constructing the rink for the highly anticipated 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series™. This thrilling outdoor matchup features the Boston Bruins® going head-to-head with the Tampa Bay Lightning® at the iconic Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on February 1, starting at 6:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted live on ESPN, SN, and TVAS. In the second episode of the docuseries "Road to the NHL Stadium Series presented by Fastenal," fans will get an exclusive sneak peek at the impressive climate-controlled tent that marks the NHL's most ambitious outdoor game setting yet.
Given the unique challenges posed by hosting a hockey game in an open-air venue in Florida, the NHL is taking exceptional measures. They will construct a regulation-size rink within a cutting-edge, air-conditioned structure designed to shield it from the unpredictable weather. This impressive tent will measure 34 feet in height, 125 feet in width, and 240 feet in length, and is being developed by GNB Global, based in Texas. After the ice is ready, this sophisticated tent will be taken down just before the puck drops under the stars in Florida.
"Creating the ice for outdoor NHL games is always an exhilarating experience, but this one stands out. We’re not just building an ice rink inside Raymond James Stadium; we’re also erecting a fully enclosed refrigerated tent to ensure that the ice is in perfect condition for the game," stated Derek King, Vice President of Hockey Operations at the NHL. "Factors such as sunshine, rain, and humidity are significant challenges. Thus, maintaining control over these elements for as long as possible during the ice-building process is crucial. Fans are going to be thrilled with what they see when that tent comes off on game day!"
Steve Mayer, President of Content & Events at the NHL, expressed his excitement about the undertaking, saying, "What we’re constructing in Tampa is one of the most ambitious event structures we’ve ever attempted. The conditions are tough, the timeline is tight, and every little detail is important -- but that’s what makes it remarkable. Our skilled team thrives on pushing boundaries, and we are confident that sports fans will witness something utterly unique before and after the doors of Raymond James Stadium open!"
This year's NHL Stadium Series will mark the culmination of a month-long outdoor hockey celebration in the Sunshine State, which commenced with the NHL Winter Classic® game between the Florida Panthers™ and the New York Rangers®. The historic match took place in front of a sold-out crowd of 36,153 at loanDepot park in Miami and marked the first-ever outdoor NHL hockey game in Florida. This milestone event brought the total attendance at NHL outdoor games to an impressive 2,276,221 and celebrated the 17th consecutive sellout in Winter Classic history.
The upcoming 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series will represent the 45th outdoor game in NHL history. For those interested, a limited number of tickets are still available through Ticketmaster, the NHL’s official ticketing partner. For more details, fans can visit NHL.com/events for updates. Stay tuned, as further announcements regarding the NHL Stadium Series are expected in the coming weeks.
