Chris O'Meara/AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
Chris O'Meara/AP Photo/Chris O'Meara
FILE - Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov looks on before Game 1 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Montréal Canadiens, April 19, 2026, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
By:Leilyn Torres
Posted and last updated
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced the date and opponent for the 2026-2027 season home opener.
The Bolts will play the Washington Capitals on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at Benchmark International Arena. In a "Mean Girls" inspired post on X, the Bolts posted a burn book with the teams, date, and time on it.
TAMPA, Fla. — On October 3rd he asked us what day it was.
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) July 15, 2026
It's the Bolts home opener 😊 pic.twitter.com/60v6d5kF25
The Lightning will open the season on the road against the New York Rangers on Oct. 1.