Country Music Icon Tim McGraw to Headline Historic NHL Stadium Series in Florida
The National Hockey League has made an exciting announcement. Grammy Award-winning country music superstar Tim McGraw will provide the headline entertainment for the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series. This marks a significant moment for both sports and music fans.
Historic Outdoor Hockey Match in Florida
The highly anticipated outdoor game features the Tampa Bay Lightning facing off against the Boston Bruins. It is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. This matchup creates history as the first outdoor NHL game ever to be played in a football stadium within the state of Florida.
Live television coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. ESPN will broadcast the game in the United States. Canadian viewers can watch on Sportsnet and TVA Sports.
McGraw's Center Stage Performance
Tim McGraw receives the honor of performing during the first intermission. The presentation is sponsored by Ticketmaster. The country music legend will take the stage beside the hockey rink inside a specially constructed climate-controlled structure.
The 58-year-old artist brings an extraordinary career to this event. McGraw has sold over 106 million records globally. He has achieved an impressive 49 number one singles on the charts throughout his legendary run. Many consider him one of the most successful touring acts in the history of country music.
A Multifaceted Entertainer
Beyond his musical accomplishments, Tim McGraw has found success in multiple creative fields. He has authored four New York Times bestselling books. His acting credits include major films like Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side.
Most recently, McGraw starred alongside his wife Faith Hill and actor Sam Elliott in the Yellowstone prequel series 1883. The series earned three Emmy nominations, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
Ticketing and Event Information
A limited number of tickets for the game remain available for purchase. Fans can secure them through Ticketmaster, which serves as the official ticketing partner of the NHL. Additional information about ticket purchases and event details is available on the official NHL website at NHL.com/events.
Florida's Monthlong Outdoor Hockey Celebration
The Stadium Series will conclude a monthlong celebration of outdoor hockey in Florida. The festivities began with the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic. That game featured the Florida Panthers versus the New York Rangers at loanDepot park in Miami.
That historic contest marked the very first outdoor hockey game ever played in Florida. A sellout crowd of 36,153 fans attended the Winter Classic. This attendance brought the total number of fans at NHL outdoor games to 2,276,221. The game represented the 17th consecutive sellout in Winter Classic history.
Innovative Stadium Setup
The NHL will construct a regulation-size hockey rink inside a steel-framed, air-conditioned structure. This innovative setup protects the ice from Florida's warm climate. The state-of-the-art tent measures 34 feet high, 125 feet wide, and 240 feet long.
Crews will dismantle the structure just before puck drop. This allows both teams to compete outdoors under the primetime lights, creating a unique atmosphere for players and spectators.
Anticipation Builds for the Event
The NHL plans to announce additional details about game presentation and entertainment in the coming weeks. Fans are already expressing their excitement. Many eagerly await the chance to see Tim McGraw perform live at this historic sporting event.
The combination of elite NHL hockey and top-tier musical entertainment promises an unforgettable experience. The 2026 Stadium Series is shaping up to be a landmark event for sports and music enthusiasts across North America.
