TAMPA, Fla. — Pirates are taking over the ice in Tampa for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series.
While work continues inside a massive tent to build the ice rink, crews outside are laying down what will become a giant treasure map covering the field at Raymond James Stadium.
"We've leaned in as we said we were going to do all along to Tampa, to the Lightning, and to Gasparilla,” said NHL President of Entertainment & Content, Steve Mayer.
The NHL released a rendering of the final field design, and Mayer said the treasure map includes numerous special details.
"You've got to hone in, but there's Vasilevskiy Bay, there's McDonough Marsh, there's Brayden's Point of No Return."
The NHL unveiled its field design for the Feb. 1 outdoor matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium, inspired by Tampa’s rich pirate history and the Gasparilla Pirate Fest.
"We had fun with player names and pirate names, and bay names,” Mayer said.
The field design will also include real pirates and floats direct from the Gasparilla Parade. Mayer said the display will ultimately lead to a real treasure.
"There will be. We will identify some things in the next few days."
Other named locations include Bear’s Den, Guentzel’s Grotto, Cross Check Cape, Slapshot Shoals, Lightning Lagoon, Thunderbug Cove, Vinik’s Voyage, and Hedman Reef. Surrounding the rink will be shipwreck remains and sea creatures.
A wooden dock between Lord Stanley Point and Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla will serve as the stage for country music star Tim McGraw, who will headline the first intermission
The NHL says sightlines inside the football stadium are expected to be strong for a hockey game, even for fans seated in the upper levels.
"Everybody gets that from football. I want to be down low, I want to be in the hundreds sections. If you are in the 300s sections, you've got an amazing seat for what we've got going on,” Mayer said.
Mayer said preparations are on schedule to be completed by Sunday and that organizers are pleased with the weather forecast.
The league says the event has been years in the making and describes it as the most complex and ambitious outdoor game it has staged.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will face the Boston Bruins in the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium. The game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern and will air on ESPN.
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