The Tampa Bay Lightning aren’t far removed from their back-to-back Stanley Cups, and they still boast one of the NHL’s most dangerous cores. With stars like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy, Bolts games are always appointment viewing.
Complicating their path back to the top are the new kings of Florida hockey: the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers. Not only are they the Lightning’s in-state rival, but they’ve also defeated Tampa Bay in each of the past two first-round playoff series.
But that doesn’t mean the Lightning are fading. Jon Cooper’s squad still has the experience, depth, and firepower to compete with anyone, and their championship pedigree makes them a threat every spring. Whether it’s chasing redemption against the Panthers or battling traditional rivals like Boston and Toronto, Tampa Bay remains one of the NHL’s must-watch teams.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly where and how to watch every Bolts game on TV this season. Let’s get you set up to follow their quest to reclaim the throne.
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What channels have Tampa Bay Lightning games?
Starting with the 2025–2026 season, in-market Lightning broadcasts will air on Scripps Sports, carried by the local station WXPX “The Spot” (channel 66). This new media deal allows fans in the Tampa Bay area to watch games over the air without a TV subscription.
Scripps will also launch a direct-to-consumer streaming option through the official Tampa Bay Lightning app for fans within the team’s broadcast territory. Stay tuned for those details.
Nationally, select Lightning games will appear on ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NHL Network. Out-of-market fans in the U.S. can stream nearly every non-national matchup on ESPN+.
Want radio coverage? Lightning fans in Tampa Bay can listen to live games on 102.5 The Bone (WHPT), with affiliate stations carrying coverage across Florida.
How to watch in Canada
Lightning games are often featured on Sportsnet or TVA Sports, especially when they face Canadian opponents or appear in the NHL’s national broadcast package. Playoff games are also carried on Sportsnet, CBC, and TVA Sports, with streaming available through Sportsnet+.
2025–2026 Tampa Bay Lightning TV schedule
The Lightning enter another season with championship ambitions and no shortage of must-watch matchups. From in-state showdowns with the Florida Panthers to Eastern Conference battles against the Bruins, Leafs, and Rangers, Tampa Bay’s schedule is filled with high-stakes games.
Below is the complete 2025–2026 Tampa Bay Lightning TV schedule, featuring game times and channel listings so you won’t miss a moment.
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Preseason |
|||
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Monday, Sept. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TampaBayLightning.com |
| At Nashville Predators | Tuesday, Sept. 23 | 8:00 p.m. | TampaBayLightning.com |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Friday, Sept. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Nashville Predators | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Florida Panthers | Tuesday, Sept. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Florida Panthers | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| At Florida Panthers | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
|
October |
|||
| Ottawa Senators | Thursday, Oct. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| New Jersey Devils | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| At Boston Bruins | Monday, Oct. 13 | 1:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| At Washington Capitals | Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Friday, Oct. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, Oct. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Chicago Blackhawks | Thursday, Oct. 23 | 6:45 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Anaheim Ducks | Saturday, Oct. 25 | 5:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Sunday, Oct. 26 | 5:00 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| At Nashville Predators | Tuesday, Oct. 28 | 7:45 p.m. | Scripps Sports |
| Dallas Stars | Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
|
November |
|||
| At Utah Mammoth | Sunday, Nov. 2 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Colorado Avalanche | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Vegas Golden Knights | Thursday, Nov. 6 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Washington Capitals | Saturday, Nov. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Florida Panthers | Saturday, Nov. 15 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Vancouver Canucks | Sunday, Nov. 16 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New Jersey Devils | Tuesday, Nov. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Edmonton Oilers | Thursday, Nov. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| At Washington Capitals | Saturday, Nov. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Philadelphia Flyers | Monday, Nov. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Calgary Flames | Wednesday, Nov. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Detroit Red Wings | Friday, Nov. 28 | 12:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Rangers | Saturday, Nov. 29 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
December |
|||
| At New York Islanders | Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Islanders | Saturday, Dec. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Monday, Dec. 8 | 7:30 p.m. | TBA |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New Jersey Devils | Thursday, Dec. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At New York Islanders | Saturday, Dec. 13 | 3:30 p.m. | TBA |
| Florida Panthers | Monday, Dec. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Los Angeles Kings | Thursday, Dec. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday, Dec. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| St. Louis Blues | Monday, Dec. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Florida Panthers | Saturday, Dec. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Montreal Canadiens | Sunday, Dec. 28 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Anaheim Ducks | Wednesday, Dec. 31 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
January |
|||
| At Los Angeles Kings | Thursday, Jan. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At San Jose Sharks | Saturday, Jan. 3 | 4:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Colorado Avalanche | Tuesday, Jan. 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Saturday, Jan. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Philadelphia Flyers | Monday, Jan. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Pittsburgh Penguins | Tuesday, Jan. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At St. Louis Blues | Friday, Jan. 16 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Dallas Stars | Sunday, Jan. 18 | 2:00 p.m. | TBA |
| San Jose Sharks | Tuesday, Jan. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Chicago Blackhawks | Friday, Jan. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN |
| At Columbus Blue Jackets | Saturday, Jan. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Utah Mammoth | Monday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Winnipeg Jets | Thursday, Jan. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
February |
|||
| Boston Bruins | Sunday, Feb. 1 | TBD | ESPN |
| Buffalo Sabres | Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Florida Panthers | Thursday, Feb. 5 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, Hulu |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Carolina Hurricanes | Thursday, Feb. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Buffalo Sabres | Saturday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
March |
|||
| At Minnesota Wild | Tuesday, March 3 | 9:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Winnipeg Jets | Thursday, March 5 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Toronto Maple Leafs | Saturday, March 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Sunday, March 8 | 6:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | Tuesday, March 10 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Detroit Red Wings | Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Carolina Hurricanes | Saturday, March 14 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Seattle Kraken | Tuesday, March 17 | 10:00 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| At Vancouver Canucks | Thursday, March 19 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Edmonton Oilers | Saturday, March 21 | 10:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Calgary Flames | Sunday, March 22 | 8:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Minnesota Wild | Tuesday, March 24 | 7:30 p.m. | TNT, HBO Max |
| Seattle Kraken | Thursday, March 26 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Ottawa Senators | Saturday, March 28 | 1:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Nashville Predators | Sunday, March 29 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Montreal Canadiens | Tuesday, March 31 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
|
April |
|||
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Thursday, April 2 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| Boston Bruins | Saturday, April 4 | 5:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Buffalo Sabres | Monday, April 6 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Ottawa Senators | Tuesday, April 7 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Montreal Canadiens | Thursday, April 9 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| At Boston Bruins | Saturday, April 11 | 12:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Detroit Red Wings | Monday, April 13 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
| New York Rangers | Wednesday, April 15 | 7:00 p.m. | TBA |
Data effective as of post date.
Best TV plans for watching the Tampa Bay Lightning
The best way to watch the Lightning depends on where you’re tuning in from. To help you catch every game, I’ve outlined the top TV plans for fans in the U.S. and Canada below.
Lightning coverage in the United States
This season marks a huge win for in-market Lightning fans. Local broadcasts are moving from the expensive FanDuel Sports Network Sun to WXPX (channel 66). That’s a big deal, as it gives any fan in the Tampa Bay area a free, over-the-air option to watch games with a digital antenna. Scripps is also partnering with the team to launch a direct-to-consumer streaming option through the Lightning’s official app for in-market viewers.
For fans outside Florida, ESPN+ is the simplest way to watch nearly every Lightning game. It streams all out-of-market matchups that aren’t nationally televised, making it an essential option for Bolts fans across the U.S.
Whether you’re in state or out of state, you’ll still need a live TV service to cover games shown nationally on ESPN, TNT, TBS, ABC, or NHL Network. My top recommendation is Hulu + Live TV, as it bundles ESPN+ with the major national sports networks for complete Lightning coverage in one package.
Lightning coverage in Canada
Canadian viewers can catch Lightning games through Sportsnet and TVA Sports, which carry the NHL’s national broadcast package and all Stanley Cup Playoff games. These channels are also available for streaming via Sportsnet+.
While TSN is a major NHL broadcaster in Canada, its coverage is limited to the regional rights of specific Canadian teams (Maple Leafs, Senators, Jets, and Canadiens). That means Lightning games typically won’t appear there unless they’re playing against one of those clubs in a TSN region.
How to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning for free
The most direct way to watch Lightning games for free is with a digital TV antenna. Local games will be broadcast on WXPX (channel 66), branded as “The Spot – Tampa Bay 66,” while nationally televised matchups may appear on ABC. If you’re in the Tampa Bay area, you can simply use a TV antenna to pick up both channels and watch coverage without any subscription fees.
If you’re outside Florida, your best bet is a streaming service free trial. DIRECTV and Fubo frequently offer trial periods that include national NHL channels, while Hulu + Live TV trials also bundle in ESPN+.
Canadian fans can sometimes catch Lightning games at no cost when they’re featured on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, which is broadcast nationally over the air and streamed free via CBC Gem.
How to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning FAQ
How can I watch the Lightning if I don’t live in Tampa Bay?
For U.S. fans living outside the Tampa Bay area, ESPN+ is your go-to service for out-of-market Lightning matchups. But you’ll also need a live TV plan that includes channels like ESPN and TNT for nationally televised games. For fans in Canada, you can watch the Bolts on the NHL’s national broadcasters (CBC, Sportsnet, and TVA Sports). To stream these games without cable, your best bet is a Sportsnet+ subscription, which also carries playoff coverage.
How can I stream Bally Sports Sun without cable?
Lightning fans won’t need to worry about FanDuel Sports Network Sun (formerly Bally Sports Sun) during the 2025–2026 NHL season. Scripps Sports will now air in-market coverage on WXPX (channel 66) and its upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming platform.
Does ESPN+ show every Lightning game?
No, ESPN+ is primarily for out-of-market Lightning fans and is subject to blackouts. Most games airing nationally will be blacked out, as will the local broadcasts on Scripps Sports (WXPX) if you live in the Tampa Bay area. The good news is that ESPN+ does offer on-demand replays of all NHL games after they conclude.
Is Tampa Bay still a contending team?
While the Lightning have been eliminated in the first round by the Florida Panthers in back-to-back years, they remain one of the NHL’s most talented and experienced squads. With Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevskiy still anchoring the lineup, Tampa Bay has the star power and championship pedigree to challenge any opponent. The core of the team may be older, but under Jon Cooper—the NHL’s longest-tenured coach—the Lightning are always in the mix. They may not be overwhelming favorites like they were during their Cup-winning seasons, but no team (except maybe the Panthers) looks forward to drawing Tampa Bay in a seven-game series.
Why you should trust us
As a longtime NHL writer who has followed the Lightning through their Stanley Cup dynasty and even interviewed Dave Andreychuk at the Hockey Hall of Fame during the Tampa Bay legend’s induction, CableTV.com contributor Ian McLaren has spent years testing the best ways to watch Lightning games without missing a shift
This guide draws on firsthand experience navigating and comparing cable, satellite, and streaming platforms to find the most reliable and consistent Lightning coverage. Before publishing, Ian reviewed the full 2025–2026 NHL broadcast schedule to ensure Lightning fans get the most accurate, up-to-date viewing info available.
Check out CableTV.com’s How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
