Benchmark International Arena
Benchmark International Arena is a hockey rink in Tampa, Florida, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL, Atlantic Division). It opened in 1996, making it 30 years old in 2026 and seats 19,092 for hockey. That makes it the 8th-largest rink in NHL.
Rink facts
- Location
- Tampa, Florida
- Home of
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- League
- NHL · Atlantic Division
- Opened
- 1996
- Capacity
- 19,092
- Former names
- Ice Palace (1996–2002)
St. Pete Times Forum (2002–2012)
Tampa Bay Times Forum (2012–2014)
Amalie Arena (2014–2025) - Size rank in NHL
- 8th of 32
Famous moments at Benchmark International Arena
- Lightning won 2004 Stanley Cup on home ice (2004)
- 2018 NHL All-Star Game (2018)
- Lightning clinched 2021 Stanley Cup on home ice (2021)
- Opened as the Ice Palace; the Lightning beat the Rangers 5–2 in the first game (1996)
- Hosted the NHL All-Star Game (1999)
- Hosted the Frozen Four, the first held outside the northern U.S. since 1999 (2012)
- Colorado became the first visiting team to win the Stanley Cup at the arena (2022)
Game night
Getting there. TECO Streetcar at Benchmark International Arena
Seating & views at Benchmark International Arena
Seating is on the Promenade, Suite, Club and Terrace levels. A 2012 renovation removed eight corner suites to open views from the concourse, and an 11,000-square-foot outdoor deck faces the downtown skyline.
Parking & tailgating
Nearby garages include the Pam Iorio, Tampa Convention Center and Channelside garages, plus several surface lots. The free TECO Streetcar serves the arena.
Sources: Wikipedia, benchmarkintlarena.com, blog.ticketmaster.com
Plan your trip to Benchmark International Arena
Rinks near Benchmark International Arena10
- 1ECHLKia Center — Orlando Solar Bears 81 mi
- 2ECHLHertz Arena — Florida Everblades 112 mi
- 3ECHLVyStar Veterans Memorial Arena — Jacksonville Icemen 171 mi
- 4NHLAmerant Bank Arena — Florida Panthers 187 mi
- 5ECHLEnmarket Arena — Savannah Ghost Pirates 294 mi
- 6SPHL/FPHLPensacola Bay Center — Pensacola Ice Flyers 336 mi
- 7SPHL/FPHLMacon Coliseum — Macon Mayhem 344 mi
- 8SPHL/FPHLColumbus Civic Center — Columbus River Dragons 347 mi
- 9ECHLNorth Charleston Coliseum — South Carolina Stingrays 371 mi
- 10SPHL/FPHLAkins Ford Arena — Athens Rock Lobsters 419 mi
Questions about Benchmark International Arena
Where do the Tampa Bay Lightning play home games?
The Tampa Bay Lightning play at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.
How many people does Benchmark International Arena hold?
Benchmark International Arena seats 19,092 for hockey.
When did Benchmark International Arena open?
Benchmark International Arena opened in 1996.
Where do you park at Benchmark International Arena?
Nearby garages include the Pam Iorio, Tampa Convention Center and Channelside garages, plus several surface lots. The free TECO Streetcar serves the arena.
What is the seating like at Benchmark International Arena?
Seating is on the Promenade, Suite, Club and Terrace levels. A 2012 renovation removed eight corner suites to open views from the concourse, and an 11,000-square-foot outdoor deck faces the downtown skyline.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your rink? Get the “Listed on RinkGuide.com” badge for your website.