Few teams can make a 50-win season feel unsatisfying, but that’s where the Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves. Nikita Kucherov won the Hart Trophy, Andrei Vasilevskiy took home the Vezina, and Jon Cooper earned the Jack Adams. Yet a fourth straight first-round playoff exit kept the postseason questions alive. The core remains built to win, and adding John Carlson gives Victor Hedman and company another accomplished veteran on the blue line.
Fortunately, following the Bolts has become considerably easier. Scripps Sports carries most regional games on free over-the-air stations, while fans throughout the Lightning’s broadcast territory can stream those same games with a paid subscription through the official Lightning App.
There are still national broadcasts and out-of-market rules to navigate, but that’s where this guide comes in. Below, we’ll break down how to watch Tampa Bay Lightning games locally and from elsewhere, along with the complete TV schedule and our favorite viewing options.
What channels have Tampa Bay Lightning games?
Most regional Lightning games air through Scripps Sports, with WXPX-TV “The Spot” (channel 66) serving as the primary over-the-air home in the Tampa Bay market. Local fans can also stream Scripps-produced Lightning games through the official Lightning App.
Outside the Lightning’s broadcast territory, most regional games stream on NHL Power Play in the ESPN app with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited. Those same matchups are available on cable and satellite via NHL Center Ice. Lightning games also air nationally on ESPN, ABC, and TNT, with select matchups streaming on ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu.
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.
2026–2027 Tampa Bay Lightning TV schedule
Tampa Bay has very few quiet stretches in its 84-game schedule. Beyond 13 grueling sets of back-to-backs and two six-game homestands, the slate features major tests like a trip to Madison Square Garden and an Atlantic Division clash against Boston at Benchmark International Arena. Fans can also look forward to four highly anticipated matchups against Florida to reignite their Sunshine State rivalry.
To help you track every puck drop, check out the complete Lightning TV schedule below. We’ll update this table throughout the season with the latest Eastern start times and channel listings.
NHL - Tampa Bay Lightning Schedule
| Opponent | Date | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
Preseason | |||
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot, Lightning App | |
Tuesday, Sept. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot, Lightning App | |
Thursday, Sept. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot, Lightning App | |
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot, Lightning App | |
October | |||
Thursday, Oct. 1 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Saturday, Oct. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Monday, Oct. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | NHL Network, The Spot | |
Thursday, Oct. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Saturday, Oct. 10 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Tuesday, Oct. 13 | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Thursday, Oct. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 4:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Tuesday, Oct. 20 | 10:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Oct. 23 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
At Utah Mammoth | Saturday, Oct. 24 | 9:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot |
Thursday, Oct. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
Saturday, Oct. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | ESPN+, The Spot | |
November | |||
Tuesday, Nov. 3 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Nov. 7 | 8:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Nov. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Nov. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Nov. 19 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 5:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Wednesday, Nov. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Friday, Nov. 27 | 3:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Nov. 28 | 6:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
December | |||
Wednesday, Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Dec. 5 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, Dec. 7 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Dec. 10 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Dec. 12 | 3:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Sunday, Dec. 13 | 8:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Dec. 15 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Dec. 17 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Sunday, Dec. 20 | 5:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Dec. 22 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Saturday, Dec. 26 | 6:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, Dec. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Dec. 29 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Dec. 31 | 2:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
January | |||
Saturday, Jan. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Jan. 5 | 9:40 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Jan. 7 | 9:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Jan. 9 | 3:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, Jan. 11 | 8:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, Jan. 14 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Jan. 16 | 3:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, Jan. 18 | 1:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Jan. 21 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Jan. 23 | 12:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Jan. 26 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, Jan. 30 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
February | |||
Tuesday, Feb. 2 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Wednesday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Friday, Feb. 12 | 7:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, The Spot | |
Saturday, Feb. 13 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Feb. 16 | 7:30 p.m. | ||
Thursday, Feb. 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, The Spot | |
Saturday, Feb. 20 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, Feb. 23 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
At Dallas Stars | Thursday, Feb. 25 | 8:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, The Spot |
Saturday, Feb. 27 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
March | |||
Wednesday, March 3 | 10:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Friday, March 5 | 10:00 p.m. | Amazon Prime Video, The Spot | |
Saturday, March 6 | 10:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, March 8 | 8:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, March 11 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, March 13 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Monday, March 15 | 3:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Wednesday, March 17 | 7:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, March 18 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, March 20 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, March 23 | 7:00 p.m. | ||
Thursday, March 25 | 6:30 p.m. | ||
Saturday, March 27 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, March 30 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
April | |||
Thursday, April 1 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, April 3 | 3:00 p.m. | ||
Monday, April 5 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Tuesday, April 6 | 7:30 p.m. | The Spot | |
Thursday, April 8 | 7:00 p.m. | The Spot | |
Saturday, April 10 | 8:00 p.m. |
Best TV plans for watching the Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning have one of the more flexible local viewing setups in the NHL. Fans throughout the regional territory can get most games free over the air through Scripps Sports affiliates, while the Lightning App offers the same regional broadcasts as a season-long streaming subscription.
The national schedule still requires ESPN and TNT access, so our three recommendations cover the other pieces. DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack is the best national-TV complement, the Lightning App is the simplest local streaming option, and ESPN Unlimited makes the most sense for Bolts fans living outside the team’s broadcast territory.
Best Overall
DIRECTV’s MySports Genre Pack covers the national side of the Lightning schedule with ESPN, TNT, truTV, NHL Network, and ABC in eligible markets, plus ESPN Unlimited access. Pair MySports with your local free Scripps Sports affiliate or a Lightning App subscription, and you’ll have every currently announced regular-season Bolts broadcast covered.
Local channel availability varies by market, so we wouldn’t assume The Spot or another Lightning affiliate is automatically included with MySports at every address. The good news is that Tampa Bay’s free over-the-air setup gives local fans an easy alternative.
Best for Local Streaming
If you’d rather stream than set up an antenna, the official Lightning App is the most straightforward way to get regional Bolts broadcasts. The in-market subscription costs $66 for the full season and works throughout the team’s designated broadcast territory.
The subscription covers Scripps-produced regional games, but national exclusives on ESPN platforms and TNT Sports require separate access. That’s why we prefer it as a local complement rather than a complete NHL TV replacement.
Best for Out-of-Market Fans
ESPN Unlimited is the most complete ESPN option for Lightning fans outside the team’s home territory. NHL Power Play in the ESPN app carries regional Bolts broadcasts out of market, while Unlimited also includes ESPN, ESPN+, and ESPN on ABC.
You’ll still need separate TNT access for Tampa Bay’s TNT exclusives. If you’re primarily interested in the familiar ESPN+ out-of-market package and don’t need the linear ESPN networks, ESPN Select is the cheaper option.
How to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning FAQ
Can I watch Tampa Bay Lightning games for free?
Yes, if you're in the Lightning's regional broadcast territory. Most locally produced games air free over the air through Scripps Sports affiliates. You'll just need an over-the-air antenna and sufficient reception for your local affiliate.
How can I stream Lightning games without cable?
In-market fans can subscribe directly through the official Lightning App for $66 per season. The service streams Scripps-produced regional games throughout the Lightning's broadcast territory, subject to location restrictions.
How do I watch out-of-market Lightning games?
Outside Tampa Bay's regional territory, most Scripps-produced Lightning broadcasts stream through NHL Power Play in the ESPN app. The package is part of ESPN+ content and is included with both ESPN Select and ESPN Unlimited. NHL Center Ice is the cable and satellite alternative.
Who are the Tampa Bay Lightning TV announcers?
Dave Randorf handles Lightning play-by-play alongside analyst Brian Engblom, with Gabby Shirley reporting rinkside. The Scripps Sports broadcast also includes studio coverage surrounding regional games.
Why you should trust us
CableTV.com Contributing Writer Ian McLaren has covered the NHL for nearly two decades and hosts the daily “Locked On Bruins” podcast. He’s followed Tampa Bay from its rise into a perennial contender through multiple Stanley Cup runs, and he even interviewed Lightning great Dave Andreychuk during the Hall of Famer’s induction weekend.
To build our NHL viewing guides, Ian reviews official team schedules, regional and national broadcast information, streaming access rules, and TV provider lineups. CableTV.com also revisits these pages as channel assignments, media rights, streaming services, and provider packages change. Learn more about our process on our How We Rank page.
More ways to watch NHL games
There are a lot of channels and services to keep tabs on this NHL season. But don't worry. Our guide gives you a complete rundown, highlighting the best TV providers so you don't miss a single body check.
NHL Center Ice is an out-of-market sports package for cable and satellite TV subscribers that gets you around 40 NHL games per week. It also includes NHL Network for around-the-clock hockey coverage.
Skate into endless hours of NHL action with ESPN+. Stream 1,050+ out-of-market games and 47 exclusive national matchups with ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited.
