Upcoming Tampa Bay Lightning dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Lightning seats in one look
For a Tampa Bay Lightning game, the best all-around seat is a lower-level sideline section near center ice, row 10 or higher. From there you clear the glass and the players standing at the benches, which RateYourSeats places in front of sections 130, 101 and 102. Hockey capacity is 19,092.
- Behind a goal: choose the end in front of sections 108 and 109, where Tampa Bay attacks twice.
- Lower price behind a goal: the 123–124 end, where the visitors attack twice.
- All-inclusive glass: rows A and B of the 100 level.
- Value: 300-level seats near the center line.
The 2026–27 regular season opens September 29, 2026, and ends April 10, 2027.
Three levels, and seat 1 on the aisle
The arena at 401 Channelside Drive opened on October 20, 1996, as the Ice Palace. It later became the St. Pete Times Forum, the Tampa Bay Times Forum and, from 2014, Amalie Arena; the Benchmark International Arena name took effect on August 13, 2025. Older maps, signs and rideshare apps may still say Amalie.
- 100 level, sections 101 to 130: the lower bowl around the rink. RateYourSeats shows rows A to X in a typical section such as 112.
- 200 level: a compact middle ring of club and terrace space.
- 300 level: the upper bowl, with rows that widen toward the top.
A handy detail from TickPick: each row starts with seat 1 at the aisle bordering the next-lower section number. If you want an aisle, ask for seat 1 or the highest number in the row. The same guide notes that accessible seating sits at the top of most sections.
Attack end at 108–109, visitors at 123–124
Home teams shoot at one net in the first and third periods. Two guides, TickPick and RateYourSeats, agree that Tampa Bay's two-period goal sits below sections 108–109, while opponents get two periods toward 123–124.
That gives you a clear choice behind the goals. Sit at 108–109 to watch more Tampa Bay scoring chances; sit at 123–124 to save money, since that end usually costs less. Confirm on your listing's map and watch warmups, since arrangements can change.
Center ice
Because the benches occupy the 130/101/102 stretch and the penalty boxes face them from the far side, either center-ice side gives the full-rink view. On the bench side, the low rows put standing players and staff in your line of sight; row 10 and up fixes that.
Lexus Club glass, the Chase Club and value upstairs
Glass rows
The first two lower-level rows, A and B, make up the Lexus Club: glass seats with food and drink bundled in for Lightning games. TickPick's advice is that once you are behind row B, sitting at row 10 or above shows the corners and far goal better than rows 3 through 9.
The 200 level
The Chase Club sits on the 200 level behind the visitors' attacking end, with a buffet and lounge access. It suits a group that wants an easy night and a meal included more than a center-ice angle.
The 300 level
Upstairs is where most budgets land. Seats near the center line read the game well, with passing lanes and line changes in view. The top-row corners are the seats to skip unless you are content watching the video board.
Panthers, snowbirds and Original Six crowds
From 2026–27, NHL teams play 84 regular-season games, 42 at home, after a four-game September preseason. The postseason starts in April and can last until June.
- Florida Panthers: the in-state feud known as the Battle of Florida has had real heat since the two clubs first met in the 2021 playoffs; expect these to be among the toughest tickets.
- Original Six visitors: the Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins, Red Wings, Blackhawks and Rangers arrive with plenty of their own fans.
- January through March: snowbirds wintering in Florida push demand above its usual level.
- Weekends and holiday weeks: sell ahead of weeknights.
- Playoffs: the year's peak, priced by round and opponent.
Resale makes up most of the inventory, so the opponent, the day of the week and the standings set the price. A weeknight against a Western Conference team on its one visit is typically the simplest ticket to find.
Streetcar to Channelside, then inside
The TECO Line Streetcar has a stop at the arena and runs to downtown and Ybor City, a good way to avoid garage traffic after the horn. Confirm hours and fares on the day. Parking is spread across Channelside and downtown garages and lots, with rates that vary by date.
- Get there for warmups: your ticket lists door times, and the pregame skate is when fans crowd the glass.
- Entry: as of 2025–26, entry across the NHL is generally by phone, and bag sizes are capped. Read the arena's posted bag rules before game day.
- Pack a layer: shorts weather outside, a cold rink inside, especially in low rows.
Restaurants and bars in the Channelside District are a short walk away. Inside, ThunderBug the mascot works the crowd, and the terrace level has a bar and stage area built around a digital theater organ. A 100% guarantee covers every Reserved Seat order. The schedule and team news are on the Lightning team site.
Expo Hall, the ThunderDome and three Cups
Phil Esposito, a Hall of Fame player, led the group that won the franchise on December 6, 1990. Opening night was October 7, 1992, at the state fairgrounds' Expo Hall: Chris Kontos scored four times in a 7–3 win over Chicago. Earlier that fall, Manon Rhéaume played in a preseason game, the first woman to appear in a game in any of North America's major pro leagues.
- 1993 to 1996: home games at the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg, the dome now called Tropicana Field.
- 2004: a first Cup, over Calgary, in the club's 12th season.
- 2015: a six-game Final loss to Chicago.
- 2018–19: the Presidents' Trophy with 62 wins, tying the NHL record.
- 2020: a Cup over Dallas, decided inside the pandemic-era bubble in Edmonton.
- 2021: a Cup over Montreal, clinched at home 1–0 on July 7.
- 2022: a six-game Final loss to Colorado.
The championship parties since 2020 have floated down the Hillsborough River by boat. Retired jerseys honor Vincent Lecavalier (4) and Martin St. Louis (26). The arena has also hosted All-Star Games in 1999 and 2018, three Frozen Fours and the Toronto Raptors' temporary home season in 2020–21.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the benches at Benchmark International Arena?
Per RateYourSeats, the benches line sections 130, 101 and 102; the penalty boxes are across from them.
What are the Lexus Club seats?
Rows A and B of the 100 level, the glass seats, which TickPick says come with food and drink included for Lightning games.
Which end is cheaper behind the goal?
The end in front of sections 123 and 124, where the visitors attack twice, usually costs less than the Lightning's 108–109 end.
Is Amalie Arena the same building?
Yes. The Amalie name ran from 2014 to August 13, 2025; the building did not change.
How do I get to a Lightning game without driving?
Ride the TECO Line Streetcar, which has an arena stop and links Ybor City and downtown. Confirm service hours first.
How many times have the Lightning won the Stanley Cup?
Three, in 2004, 2020 and 2021. They also played in the 2015 and 2022 Finals.