Tampa Bay Lightning to host outdoor game against Boston Bruins

Franchise founder Phil Esposito excited to see Lightning's growth in Tampa

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:15pm

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The Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins in an outdoor NHL Stadium Series game, a vision that franchise founder Phil Esposito has had since the team's early days in Tampa. The game will take place in a football stadium in downtown Tampa, which has seen remarkable development and growth around the Lightning's home arena over the past two decades.

Why it matters

The outdoor game represents a milestone for the Lightning franchise, which Esposito helped bring to Tampa in 1992. The team has become a powerhouse, winning three Stanley Cups, and has been a driving force behind the revitalization of downtown Tampa. The game will showcase the city's transformation to a national audience.

The details

When the Lightning's home arena, then known as the Ice Palace, opened in 1996, the surrounding Channelside district was largely undeveloped. But over the years, a $3 billion Water Street project spearheaded by former owner Jeffrey Vinik has transformed the area into a bustling hub of hotels, condos, restaurants and bars. The Lightning have been at the center of this urban renewal, winning three Stanley Cups since 2004 and establishing themselves as one of the NHL's elite franchises.

  • The Lightning-Bruins outdoor game will take place on February 1, 2026.
  • The Lightning franchise was founded in 1992 by Phil Esposito.
  • The team's current home arena, Benchmark International Arena, opened in 1996.

The players

Phil Esposito

The founder of the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise, who believed the sport would be successful in Tampa despite initial skepticism.

Jeffrey Vinik

The Lightning's majority owner from 2010 to 2024, who spearheaded the $3 billion Water Street project that transformed the area around the team's arena.

Jon Cooper

The current head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

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What they’re saying

“I always thought the sport would be successful here, or else I wouldn't have done what I did. I believed. I believed in the people here. I believed that the people would be interested. I believed they would like this game because they liked football, they love boxing, they love wrestling, they love car racing and crashes. Well, we've got it all in hockey.”

— Phil Esposito, Franchise Founder (NHL.com)

“Gasparilla is the city's miniature version of Mardi Gras.”

— Jon Cooper, Head Coach (NHL.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This outdoor game represents the culmination of Phil Esposito's vision for bringing hockey to Tampa and the Lightning's transformation into one of the NHL's elite franchises, driving the revitalization of downtown Tampa in the process.