Florida is facing near-record low temperatures, setting the stage for what the NHL is calling the ‘most complex and ambitious outdoor game in league history’
It’ll be a cold one today as the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Boston Bruins in the 2026 NHL Stadium Series hockey game.
At a Glance: How to Watch NHL Stadium Series 2026
Date, Time: Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
Channel: ESPN
Streaming: DirecTV, ESPN Unlimited, Fubo
The current forecast for today’s outdoor game at Raymond James Stadium is a brisk 42° F, with a wind warning in effect. This is a near-record low temperature for Florida and there could even be a chance of snow flurries in the Sunshine State.
All that sets the stage for a must-watch TV event, with the NHL calling it the “most complex and ambitious outdoor game in league history.” Want to watch the Bruins vs. Lightning Stadium Series game? Here’s what you need to know.
How to Watch 2026 NHL Stadium Series on TV
Today’s outdoor hockey game takes place live at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida with a puck drop time of 6:30 p.m. ET. You can watch the Stadium Series game on TV through ESPN, which is the official broadcaster for the fourth consecutive year. Tune into the Bruins vs. Lightning outdoor game on ESPN with any cable provider that carries the sports network.
How to Watch 2026 NHL Stadium Series Online Free
Want to stream the Stadium Series game online? There are a few ways to watch the Lightning vs. Bruins game online without cable, including ways to livestream it for free.
OFFICIAL STREAM
ESPN Unlimited
ESPN Unlimited is the official streaming home for live sports, TV shows, films and specials on ESPN and the streamer will carry a live feed of the Bruins vs. Lightning game online. An ESPN Unlimited subscription starts at $29.99/month though the service is currently offering a promotion that bundles Disney and Hulu with ESPN Unlimited for only $35.99/month total. See details here.
FREE STREAMING
DirecTV
DirecTV is a live streaming service that lets you watch 90 live television channels over the internet, and its current channel lineup includes a live ESPN feed. Even better: DirecTV offers a five-day free trial for new users, so you can use it to livestream the NHL Stadium Series game online for free.
TOP PICK
Fubo
Fubo is one of our favorite live streamers for sports, with ESPN, Tennis Channel, NFL Network, NBA TV and more all included in its streaming plans. Test drive Fubo with a free trial here and use it to watch the Stadium Series game online free without cable. Fubo’s free trial includes free DVR so you can record the outdoor game to watch back on-demand later.
All three streaming options above let you livestream the NHL Stadium Series game on your phone, computer, tablet or smart TV. ESPN will also offer an alternate telecast streaming online for the deaf and hard of hearing community, with play-by-play and color commentary entirely in American Sign Language (ASL).
Note: while there may be free 2026 NHL Stadium Series streaming links floating around on sites like Reddit, the only official Bruins vs. Lightning livestream is through an ESPN feed on the streaming services above.
NHL Stadium Series 2026 Matchup: Teams, Odds
Today’s outdoor Stadium Series game features a matchup between two of the NHL’s top teams right now, with both the Bruins and Lightning boasting identical 8-1-1 records over their last ten games. Tampa Bay sits first in the Atlantic Division though and are favored to win at home against Boston.
Music fans have a reason to tune into today’s game as well, as the Stadium Series broadcast will feature a first intermission performance by Tim McGraw (who is skipping tonight’s Grammy Awards). The NHL is promising “rotating special guest appearances” throughout the game as well.
This is the NHL’s 45th outdoor game, and it takes place just four days before the 2025-26 regular-season schedule pauses as some NHL players head to Milan for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
