Creating Ice in the Sunshine State: The NHL's Innovative Solution for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series
The NHL is gearing up for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, where the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning will face off at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. To combat the challenges of playing hockey in an open-air football stadium in Florida, the NHL will construct a climate-controlled tent on the field to create the ice for the game. This unique solution will allow the teams to practice inside the tent before the game on February 1. Tickets for the event will be available for purchase on Thursday via Ticketmaster.
Playing outdoor games in warm climates like Florida has always been a challenge due to factors like sun, rain, and humidity. The NHL typically takes about seven days to build the ice for an outdoor game, using a process of spraying water in layers to create a thick sheet of ice. However, the humidity in Florida posed a new challenge, leading the League to experiment with building outdoor rinks in Tampa and discovering the need to control the environment to maintain the ice quality.
In contrast to the upcoming game in Tampa, the NHL will also host the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic in Miami at loanDepot park, which has a retractable roof that can be closed to maintain the ice quality. The average high and low temperatures in Miami on January 2 are more favorable for outdoor hockey compared to Tampa, allowing the League to keep the roof closed and use air conditioning while preparing the ice.
For the Stadium Series game in Tampa, the NHL will construct a custom-designed tension fabric building to cover the rink during the ice build. This massive structure will be enclosed and air-conditioned, providing a controlled environment for the ice. The League aims to maintain a temperature of 60 degrees and a dew point of 38 inside the tent to ensure optimal ice conditions for the game.
Despite the challenges of hosting an outdoor game in Florida, the NHL is confident in its ability to overcome obstacles and deliver a memorable event for fans. The extensive planning and preparation involved in creating a suitable environment for the game demonstrate the League's commitment to providing a high-quality experience for players and spectators alike.