Looking for where to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning this season? This is your complete 2026-27 guide to Tampa Bay Lightning games on TV and streaming: the national networks, the regional and local options, and a live look at exactly where the next game airs.
Tampa Bay Lightning national TV and streaming in 2026-27
National Lightning games are split between ESPN and TNT Sports. ESPN’s package spans ABC, ESPN and streaming on ESPN+, Hulu and Disney+, while TNT Sports carries games across TNT, TBS, truTV and Max. Select national games also appear on NHL Network. In all, the league has 172 national broadcasts in 2026-27, 100 on the ESPN, ABC and ESPN+ side and 72 on TNT Sports, and the season opens on September 29, 2026.
Watching from out of market? Every Lightning game that is not on your national or local channel is available through NHL Power Play on the ESPN App, the league’s out-of-market package, which carries more than 1,050 games across the season.
Where Lightning games air regionally
Lightning games outside the national windows air locally through Scripps Sports on over-the-air television across the Tampa Bay market, putting many local games within reach of an antenna.
Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 season snapshot
The Tampa Bay Lightning open the 2026-27 regular season on Thursday, October 1, on the road against the New York Rangers, at 7:00 PM ET. The home opener lands on Saturday, October 3 against the Washington Capitals. Like every club this season, the Lightning play an 84-game schedule, the NHL’s first 84-game regular season.
Want the full slate? Grab the printable Tampa Bay Lightning 2026-27 schedule, see the full league picture on the NHL schedule hub, and check the nightly NHL on TV tonight page for every game across the league.
Frequently asked questions
What channel is the Lightning game on tonight?
Check the live box near the top of this page. It updates every night with the next Lightning game and the exact channel or stream. Nationally, Lightning games air on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+, TNT, TBS, truTV, Max or NHL Network.
How can I stream Tampa Bay Lightning games?
National games stream on ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+ and Max depending on the broadcaster, and out-of-market games stream through NHL Power Play on the ESPN App. Local and regional games stream through the Lightning’ regional carrier where available.
How many games do the Tampa Bay Lightning play in 2026-27?
84 regular-season games, up from 82, as part of the NHL’s new 84-game format that begins this season.
