The NHL Winter Classic Heads to South Florida
The ice hockey spotlight is shifting to the Sunshine State as the NHL Winter Classic makes an unprecedented appearance in South Florida. On January 2, 2026, the Florida Panthers will break new ground by hosting the New York Rangers at the famed loanDepot Park, a venue historically synonymous with Miami Marlins baseball. This event marks a milestone for the Panthers who will be making their debut in the Winter Classic, while the Rangers will be skating into their sixth appearance at this esteemed outdoor event.
Despite being the inaugural appearance for the Panthers, the team skates into the Winter Classic with strong credentials. Both the Panthers and their regional counterparts, the Tampa Bay Lightning, have turned Florida into an unexpected hockey stronghold, a point emphasized by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: "Stanley Cups, strings of sellouts and the exponential growth of youth and high school hockey throughout the state have demonstrated that Florida is a hockey hotbed."
The choice of loanDepot Park as the venue is significant. Known best for hosting Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins, the park will be transformed from a baseball diamond into an ice rink, underlining the NHL's ambition and willingness to accept new challenges. As Bettman himself noted, "Outdoor NHL games in the Sunshine State? Never let it be said that our League isn’t willing to accept a challenge."
The New York Rangers are no strangers to the Winter Classic stage, with their last appearance dating back to 2018 at Citi Field against the Buffalo Sabres. Their seasoned presence promises an enthralling matchup for fans in Florida and those watching from afar.
Florida’s Hockey Fever Continues with the Stadium Series
January won't be the end of the state's outdoor hockey extravaganza. Florida is also set to host another marquee NHL event, the Stadium Series, at Raymond James Stadium on February 1, 2026. This time, the spotlight will be on the Tampa Bay Lightning as they face off against the Boston Bruins. Tampa Bay, known for its previous Stadium Series performance against the Nashville Predators in 2022, which ended in a 3-2 victory, is determined to make another memorable appearance.
The Boston Bruins, with five prior outdoor game experiences, bring their own legacy and experience to the ice. Their most recent outdoor game success occurred at the 2023 Winter Classic, where they defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins at the iconic Fenway Park.
Recent years have shown that the natural Florida weather conditions can present unique challenges for outdoor games. The 2021 Stadium Series experienced an interruption due to afternoon sunlight during a matchup between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vegas Golden Knights. However, these challenges only add to the excitement and unpredictability that fans have come to expect from NHL outdoor events.
As the Panthers and Lightning prepare for their respective challenges, the impact of their achievements extends beyond the rink. Both teams joined the NHL in the early 1990s, and their Stanley Cup victories have helped fuel a growing passion for hockey throughout Florida. The excitement surrounding the Winter Classic and the Stadium Series reflects the sport's growing popularity in the area.
Whether for the allure of playing in such a unique setting or the chance to showcase hockey in Florida's vibrant sports landscape, the upcoming NHL events will capture the imagination of fans in and beyond the state. Florida has firmly established itself as a key location on the NHL map, and these historic matches are set to be a testament to its hockey renaissance.