Floridians may be complaining about what could end up being a historically cold weekend across the state this weekend, and yes, it is going to be bitterly cold in Florida, and snow is even a potential across Tampa Bay; but, for construction workers and those working around the clock to keep an NFL field under and between 20 \u2013 24 degrees Fahrenheit through Sunday night, this weather could not have come at a better time.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to host what the NHL cold the \u201cmost ambitious outdoor game ever\u201d on Sunday, February 1 against the Boston Bruins. And this feat, one that spans across an almost two-week period to setup and hope you don\u2019t hit a hiccup along the way.<\/p>\n
The @TBLightning<\/a> and @NHLBruins<\/a> enter Monday as two of the NHL’s hottest teams and end the week head-to-head at the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL #StadiumSeries<\/a> at Raymond James Stadium (Feb. 1 on @ESPN<\/a>, @Sportsnet<\/a>, @TVASports<\/a>).#NHLStats<\/a>: https:\/\/t.co\/Nl0iPUJHas<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/eu14uWCkmU<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Construction of the stadium rink began at Raymond James Stadium right on time on January 19 and players and Lightning staff spoke about their excitement in interviews on January 20 as the construction continued.<\/p>\n Ladies and gentlemen, the NHL has descended upon Raymond James Stadium. The work has begun on bringing an outdoor game to Tampa. #GoBolts<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/YndqCZ9kIZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Benjamin Pierce (@BenjaminJReport) January 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n ON January 23 the clock began to really tick as things got closer to ice getting laid down. But first came an air-conditioned tent will remain atop the ice rink until the mere hours before puck drop on Sunday night.<\/p>\n \u201cFor many years it was just hard to figure out how to engineer what we\u2019re about to do,\u201d said Steve Mayer. \u201cWe\u2019re off and running and I can\u2019t believe we\u2019re just a few short days away,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The ice rink is coming together! NHL Executive VP of Events Dean Matsuzaki and Tampa Sports Commission Senior VP of Events Claire Lessinger spoke on the positive teamwork and dedication between the NHL and Team Tampa Bay to bring this historic event to Tampa. pic.twitter.com\/VZJLTzyXc1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 RaymondJames Stadium (@RJStadium) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Then came the moment of truth inside the insulated and vented 24 degree Fahrenheit, climate-controlled tent: it was time to lay some ice and began building a skating rink. On Sunday, just one week before puck drop, crews began arriving with mobile refrigeration units, 42 feet trailors connected to panels, all pumping glycol to pull heat from the surface and the process of laying and building the ice that the two teams will play on was officially under way.<\/p>\n Ice On The Grass: Outdoor Hockey Hits Tampa To Cap Off Gasparilla Weekend #tampa<\/a> #nhl<\/a> #stadium<\/a> #bolts<\/a> #Bruins<\/a><\/p>\n Read here: https:\/\/t.co\/MFtU7rQNWm<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/BxanS5Cnck<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tampa Free Press (@tampafreepress) January 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n And that same day it just so coincidentally was mentioned that there\u2019s a chance Floridians see temperatures below 20 degrees across some parts of the state just in time for when officials will reveal the ice under the Florida sun in such a strategic time that it remains playable for the remainder of the stadium series matchup between the visiting Boston Bruins and the Tampa Bay Lightning.<\/p>\n NHL Ice Crews begin the process of building the ice that the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins will play on in the outdoor Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium. This custom built climate controlled tent will be used to build and protect the ice from the Florida heat\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/DCarZFw9Ce<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Luis Santana (@LuisSantana) January 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This drastic change in weather forecast was just what officials needed as they finish final preparations to play the \u201cmost ambitious outdoor game\u201d in the history of the NHL.<\/p>\n With the ice beginning to go down, stadium signage began to change from Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Tampa Bay Lightning Stadium Series signage. Video boards began to be tested. And on Tuesday, just five days before puck drop, the rink outline was unveiled: a beautiful treasure map with Gasparilla floats surrounding the rink.<\/p>\n NHL to transform Raymond James Stadium into hockey-themed treasure map with Gasparilla Pirate Fest floats for historic 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL #StadiumSeries<\/a> in Tampa on Feb. 1.<\/p>\n Details: https:\/\/t.co\/6inr038SGT<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FSLybbGhJY<\/a><\/p>\n