The National Hockey League hosts a few outdoor games during the NHL season. The NHL held two stadium series last season and is now planning to host more stadium series games this upcoming season.
The idea of the NHL hosting an outdoor game in Florida is something that has been mentioned in recent years. This has especially come to light since both Florida hockey teams the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup.
Florida Panthers Hosting an Outdoor Game
Between both Florida teams, they have been the top team in the Eastern Conference and have made the Finals in the past five years; bringing the trophy in the last three out of five years. Since both of the best teams play in Florida and are one of the biggest heated rivals in hockey, why not host an outdoor game? It would seem it be in the NHL’s greatest interest to host an outdoor game in Florida.
There have been outdoor games in Los Angeles, Dallas and Nashville. These are all relatively warm climates. In 2023, Raleigh hosted an NHL outdoor game and the outside temperatures were in the 60s and 70s during the day leading up to game time. The average temperature in Miami during January is 67.6 according to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
The only ideal stadium for the Florida Panthers to host an outdoor game is where the Miami Marlins play. The Marlins stadium plays at loanDepot Park where the stadium has a retractable roof and air conditioning. This can certainly host a possible hockey game. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was asked about the possibility of Florida hosting an outdoor game he mentioned “I’m not going to break any news today, but we are mindful of the fact that, at some point, it would be good for the Panthers to be in an outdoor game.” But for now, the Panthers will have to wait and see if the NHL decides to do an outdoor game in Florida.
Final Thoughts
Since the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning do not like each other in the least bit, it would be a great stadium series for the NHL. Hopefully, in the upcoming future, the NHL will consider having both teams play in a stadium series at loanDepot Park in January. It will not be for this upcoming season but maybe for the following. As long as the Panthers and Lightning keep a solid playoff-caliber team, it will draw more attention to NHL fans and the league. Only time will tell how the planning and execution brings out the best of the best.
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