On Wednesday, the NHL released its full 2025-26 schedule. For the final time before the league launched an 84-game campaign in 2026-27, the Tampa Bay Lightning will play 82 games. The home/road splits are fairly well distributed during most the season. January and February are the exceptions.
The 2026 calendar year kicks off with four home matches and nine road games. February (Olympics months) features six overall in-season games with five at Amalie Arena.
The downside of this schedule for the Lightning: 15 sets of back-to-back games. All but two involve travel between games. Every month features at least B2Bs, excluding February. October and March feature three back-to-back gauntlets.
Circle these schedule dates on the calendar
As is with all season schedules, there are several big dates to keep an eye on as we enter into next season. The Lightning and their Sunshine State rivals, the Florida Panthers, wclash four times this season. The two-time reigning Stanley Cup champs have gotten the best of the Lightning in back-to-back first round playoff matchups. What better way to kick off a revenge tour than to take it to the Panthers on November 15? The Bolts will then host the Panthers for the first time next season a month later on December 15. Their remaining two games will take place on December 27 and February 5.
Another date many fans may be eagerly anticipating is the Edmonton Oilers arrival in Tampa Bay on November 20th. Former first round Lightning draft pick Isaac Howard all but forcing his way out of Tampa Bay has understandably left a bitter taste in the mouths of some fans. If Ike Howard is in the lineup for the Oilers come mid November, you can bet on a very friendly welcome from Bolts fans.
Maybe the biggest spectacle of the year will be on February 1st, when the Bolts host the Boston Bruins and take it outside to Raymond James Stadium for the 2026 Stadium Series game. This will be the second Stadium Series that the Lightning have participated in, the first being in Nashville against the Predators at Nissan Stadium in 2022.
Some other notable game dates for the Lightning
- Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand return to Seattle on March 17
- Nick Perbix returns to Tampa Bay on March 29
- The final game of the season is on April 15 (home against the Rangers)
