Tampa to Host NHL Stadium Series Game During Gasparilla Weekend

The Boston Bruins will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in an outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The NHL has announced that the Boston Bruins will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The game will be played during the city's annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest, adding a unique local flavor to the event.

Why it matters

The decision to host the Stadium Series game in Tampa, rather than having the in-state rival Florida Panthers and Lightning play each other, allows both Florida teams to host their own outdoor games, giving more NHL franchises the opportunity to showcase the sport in unique outdoor settings. The matchup between the historic Bruins and the modern-day Lightning also creates an intriguing storyline of old versus new in the NHL.

The details

The Stadium Series game will take place on Sunday, January 26, 2025, as part of the Gasparilla Pirate Fest, Tampa's signature annual event. The game will feature the Boston Bruins, an Original Six franchise with a long history of outdoor games, taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning, one of the NHL's most successful teams in recent years.

  • The NHL Stadium Series game will be played on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
  • The game will be part of Tampa's annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest.

The players

Boston Bruins

An Original Six NHL franchise with a long history of participating in outdoor games.

Tampa Bay Lightning

One of the NHL's most successful teams in recent years, hosting their first outdoor game.

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What they’re saying

“Every NHL franchise deserves to host its own outdoor game. All but four teams will have hosted or at least played an outdoor game in their home market once the Lightning play the Boston Bruins in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium.”

— Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer (NHL.com)

“The NHL will make the Stadium Series game unique to Tampa, which is why it is centered around Gasparilla Weekend. You can't get more unique to Tampa than the Gasparilla Pirate Fest. It is the city's signature event.”

— Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer (NHL.com)

What’s next

The NHL will work with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the city of Tampa to plan and promote the 2025 Stadium Series game, ensuring it is a unique and memorable event for fans.

The takeaway

The decision to host the NHL Stadium Series game in Tampa during the Gasparilla Pirate Fest showcases the league's commitment to bringing outdoor hockey to new and diverse markets, while also allowing both the Lightning and Panthers to host their own unique outdoor games.