The NHL has announced that the current Stanley Cup champion, the Florida Panthers, will play host to the New York Rangers at Loan Depot Park in Miami — home of baseball’s Marlins — on January 2nd, 2026, in the Winter Classic!
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning playing host to the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st, 2026, in a Stadium Series game.
(Above: Our first Panthers game facing Alex Ovechkin and Washington in February 2018.)
The Marlins’ ballpark, located about a 45-minute drive south of the Panthers’ home arena in Sunrise, can hold about 37,000 fans.
Raymond James Stadium — home of the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers — can hold about 65,000 for most events, and capacity can be increased a bit if necessary.
Normal Florida temperatures for Winter can be between 18 and 25 degrees, so ice making can be a challenge, but the Marlins’ Park has a retractable roof and that will play a big role in getting that stadium ready for hockey as their air conditioning will be cranked up — wayyyy up!
(Above: Our second Florida Panthers game facing Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins in February 2018.)
(Above: Spotting a Halifax Mooseheads puck in the Panthers Puck Pile.)
It will be interesting to see how Florida will make these Winter games happen in the “Sunshine State.”
It was weird going to the Panthers games in shorts!
-Ian
(Credits: Ian Robinson photos.)
