# Tampa Bay Lightning December 2026 Home Games, Ranked > Find the best Tampa Bay Lightning December 2026 home games to attend. Compare dates, rivalries & giveaways. Buy tickets now on OnesToWatch Live. **Published:** 2026-10-15 | **Updated:** 2026-11-06 | **Author:** onestowatch **URL:** https://onestowatch.com/live/best-lightning-december-2026-games/ **Type:** post **Categories:** Artist tours ![Tampa Bay Lightning December 2026 Home Games, Ranked](https://resources.onestowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2026/10/1791973060458-c415cebd819e-1024x572.webp) --- ## Content ## Key Takeaways - The Tampa Bay Lightning play seven December 2026 home games at Benchmark International Arena, from December 7 through December 31. - December 31 vs. Montreal Canadiens ranks highest for playoff-rematch stakes, a rare afternoon start, and New Year’s Eve timing. - December 12 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins offers the only Saturday afternoon slot, which suits families and out-of-town visitors. - December 17 and December 22 serve as Holiday Games with limited-edition ticket packs that add clear extra value. - OnesToWatch Live tracks pricing and availability for every December 2026 Lightning home date. [Buy Tampa Bay Lightning tickets on OnesToWatch Live](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2F) ## Quick Ticket Links OnesToWatch Live tracks seven Tampa Bay Lightning home dates at Benchmark International Arena in December 2026. Scan the schedule below and lock in seats before prices shift. **Monday, December 7 — vs. Columbus Blue Jackets at Benchmark International Arena** [Reserve the Kucherov giveaway game](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-columbus-blue-tampa-florida-12-07-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF829E15&utm_medium=affiliate) **Thursday, December 10 — vs. Boston Bruins at Benchmark International Arena** [Get seats for Bruins rivalry night](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-boston-bruins-tampa-florida-12-10-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF869E1B&utm_medium=affiliate) **Saturday, December 12 — vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Benchmark International Arena** [Grab Saturday afternoon seats](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-pittsburgh-penguins-tampa-florida-12-12-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF8A9E21&utm_medium=affiliate) **Thursday, December 17 — vs. Calgary Flames at Benchmark International Arena** [Claim the White Basketball Jersey Pack](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-calgary-flames-tampa-florida-12-17-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF8E9E2D&utm_medium=affiliate) **Tuesday, December 22 — vs. St. Louis Blues at Benchmark International Arena** [Lock in the Nesting Dolls Pack](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-st-louis-tampa-florida-12-22-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF929E34&utm_medium=affiliate) **Tuesday, December 29 — vs. Nashville Predators at Benchmark International Arena** [See Nashville and Stamkos return](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-nashville-predators-tampa-florida-12-29-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF969E3A&utm_medium=affiliate) **Thursday, December 31 — vs. Montreal Canadiens at Benchmark International Arena** [Get New Year’s Eve matinee seats](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-montreal-canadiens-tampa-florida-12-31-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF9A9E3D&utm_medium=affiliate) ## Which Lightning December 2026 Home Game Should I Go To? The seven home dates below are ranked by rivalry weight, holiday timing, weekend access, and theme or giveaway value. ### 1. December 31 vs. Montreal Canadiens — New Year’s Eve Matinee Puck drops at 2:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 31, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. The rare afternoon slot lets fans attend the game and still make evening plans. The matchup is a rematch of the Lightning’s 2026 first-round playoff series against Montreal, which adds real narrative stakes to the date. At Benchmark International Arena (401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602), general doors open 60 minutes before puck drop for Tampa Bay Lightning games. As of October 13, 2026, the lowest observed get-in ticket price for this game was $66 on the secondary market, according to SeatData’s price tracker. [Get New Year’s Eve matinee seats](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-montreal-canadiens-tampa-florida-12-31-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF9A9E3D&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 2. December 12 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins — Saturday Afternoon This is the only Saturday home game of the month, with a 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time start that fits most schedules. The matchup may fall in one of the final seasons where fans see Sidney Crosby in a Lightning opponent’s jersey, which raises its historical interest. As of October 13, 2026, the lowest observed get-in ticket price for this game was $59 on the secondary market, per SeatData. [Grab Saturday afternoon seats](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-pittsburgh-penguins-tampa-florida-12-12-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF8A9E21&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 3. December 17 vs. Calgary Flames — Holiday Game + White Basketball Jersey Pack This 7:00 p.m. Thursday matchup is a Holiday Game presented by Tampa General Hospital and anchors a featured ticket pack. The White Basketball Jersey Pack includes a ticket to the December 17 game plus one limited-edition white Tampa Bay Lightning basketball jersey, with quantities limited and redemptions capped at one item per purchased ticket. The lowest observed get-in ticket price for this game was $17, according to SeatData’s secondary-market tracker as of September 29, 2026. [Claim the White Basketball Jersey Pack](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-calgary-flames-tampa-florida-12-17-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF8E9E2D&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 4. December 22 vs. St. Louis Blues — Holiday Game + Nesting Dolls Pack, National Broadcast The December 22, 2026 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. St. Louis Blues game is a Holiday Night theme game with a 7:00 p.m. ET start. The Nesting Dolls Pack pairs a ticket with a limited-edition nesting doll set. The set features Victor Hedman, Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Andrei Vasilevskiy. The lowest observed get-in price for this game is $42, based on SeatData’s secondary-market listings as of August 20, 2026, excluding marketplace fees. [Lock in the Nesting Dolls Pack](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-st-louis-tampa-florida-12-22-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF929E34&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 5. December 7 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets — Kucherov Collectible Pocket Art Giveaway The first 10,000 fans receive a Nikita Kucherov Collectible Pocket Art card designed by Spector Art. Combined with a 7:00 p.m. Monday start and a lowest observed all-in get-in price of $27, this becomes the month’s most accessible giveaway game. [Reserve the Kucherov giveaway game](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-columbus-blue-tampa-florida-12-07-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF829E15&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 6. December 10 vs. Boston Bruins — Original Six Rivalry, Weeknight Boston brings one of the NHL’s deepest rivalry histories, and the 7:00 p.m. Thursday start works for many fans who can handle a weeknight outing. No theme night or giveaway is attached. The matchup quality and a lowest observed get-in price of $44, excluding marketplace fees and based on SeatData’s latest observation, make it a solid mid-tier choice. [Get seats for Bruins rivalry night](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-boston-bruins-tampa-florida-12-10-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF869E1B&utm_medium=affiliate) ### 7. December 29 vs. Nashville Predators — Steven Stamkos Returns The December 29, 2026 Lightning vs. Predators game starts at 7:00 p.m. on a Tuesday and carries a lowest observed ticket price of $43.74, per TixScape’s comparison of 13 ticket sources. It ranks seventh because the Tuesday slot and lack of a theme night or giveaway narrow its appeal compared with other dates. [See Nashville and Stamkos return](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2Ftampa-bay-lightning-vs-nashville-predators-tampa-florida-12-29-2026%2Fevent%2F0D0064F8CF969E3A&utm_medium=affiliate) ## How Much Do Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets Cost in December 2026? Ranking aside, cost shapes which December date makes the most sense. Prices for the seven December home games span nearly four times over, from $17 to $66. The lowest observed get-in prices for December 2026 home games at Benchmark International Arena are, according to SeatData’s 2026-27 price tracker: $23 on Dec 7 vs. Columbus, $45 on Dec 10 vs. Boston, $59 on Dec 12 vs. Pittsburgh, $17 on Dec 17 vs. Calgary, $40 on Dec 22 vs. St. Louis, $52 on Dec 29 vs. Nashville, and $66 on Dec 31 vs. Montreal. These figures reflect market pricing at a point in time and will move as games approach. The Quick Ticket Links section at the top of this page connects directly to current inventory for each date. ## Additional Mentions: The Full December Road Slate December also includes eight road contests that frame the home schedule. Road games include: - December 2 at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET - December 5 at Ottawa Senators, 7:00 p.m. ET - December 13 at St. Louis Blues, 8:00 p.m. ET - December 15 at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:00 p.m. ET - December 19 at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 p.m. ET - December 20 at Detroit Red Wings, 5:00 p.m. ET (Little Caesars Arena) - December 26 at Florida Panthers (Sunrise), 6:00 p.m. ET - December 28 at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:00 p.m. ET ## Looking Ahead: 2027 Home Dates vs. Florida The Lightning host the Florida Panthers at Benchmark International Arena on February 16, 2027 and March 23, 2027. ## Patterns, Themes, and Takeaways Several clear patterns define the December home slate. Theme nights cluster in the back half of the month, with Holiday Games on December 17 and 22 and the New Year’s Eve matinee closing the schedule. Weekend access is scarce, since December 12 is the only Saturday, so that date becomes the default choice for fans with tight work or school schedules. Giveaway activity centers on December 7, which features the Kucherov pocket art, and on the two ticket-pack games on December 17 and 22. Rivalry weight peaks at the top of the ranking, where the playoff-rematch Canadiens game and the Crosby-era Penguins matchup stand apart from the rest. The December 22 national broadcast on TNT and truTV adds visibility for fans who want to attend a game that carries a larger television audience. ## Practical Reader Guidance Single-game tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2026-27 season go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, with pre-sales for certain fan groups beginning August 11-13. Ticket-pack items such as the White Basketball Jersey on December 17 and the Nesting Dolls set on December 22 are available in limited quantities and require purchase through the dedicated pack offer. All games are at Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, with doors typically opening 60 to 90 minutes before ticketed start time, subject to change. If ease of access matters most, the Saturday afternoon slot on December 12 offers the simplest choice. If you want an occasion, the New Year’s Eve matinee on December 31 delivers that experience. If you want something physical for your money, the giveaway and pack games on December 7, 17, and 22 provide the strongest tangible value per ticket dollar. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How Many Home Games Do the Tampa Bay Lightning Play in December 2026? The Lightning play seven home games at Benchmark International Arena in December 2026. The home dates are December 7, 10, 12, 17, 22, 29, and 31. ### What Is the Tampa Bay Lightning’s New Year’s Eve Game in 2026? The Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens on December 31, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena. The game is designated the New Year’s Eve Game and is a rematch of the teams’ 2026 first-round playoff series. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop, which leaves the evening free for other plans. ### Which December 2026 Lightning Home Games Have Giveaways or Theme Nights? Four December home games carry a promotion. December 7 vs. Columbus gives the first 10,000 fans a Nikita Kucherov Collectible Pocket Art card. December 17 vs. Calgary and December 22 vs. St. Louis are the two Holiday Games, and December 22 also features the Nesting Dolls special ticket pack. December 31 vs. Montreal is the New Year’s Eve Game. No theme night or giveaway is scheduled for the December 10, 12, or 29 home games in the 2026-27 season. ### Do the Lightning Play on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve in 2026? The Lightning have no home game on December 24 or December 25. The final home game before Christmas is December 22 vs. St. Louis, and the next home game after Christmas is December 29 vs. Nashville. On December 26, the team plays a road game at the Florida Panthers in Sunrise. ### Where Can I Buy Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets for December 2026? Tickets for all seven December home games are available through the links above. Prices fluctuate with demand, so earlier purchase generally yields better availability and pricing. [Browse all December Lightning home games](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2F) ## Conclusion The December 31 New Year’s Eve matinee against Montreal stands as the clear top choice for narrative stakes and calendar impact. The December 12 Saturday afternoon game against Pittsburgh is the strongest option for fans who prioritize weekend access, and the December 17 and 22 Holiday Games deliver the most added value through their ticket packs. Prices for the seven December home games start as low as $17, with higher-demand dates sitting at the top of the range. Tickets for the December 31 matinee and the December 12 Saturday game are the two most likely to sell out first. [Buy tickets](https://ticketmaster.evyy.net/c/6581772/264167/4272?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.com%2F) ## Read Next - [When To See The Tampa Bay Lightning Play In November 2026](https://onestowatch.com/live/lightning-november-2026-home-games/) - [Tampa Bay Lightning October 2026 Home Game Tickets](https://onestowatch.com/live/tampa-bay-lightning-october-schedule/) - [Best Tampa Events To Catch in December 2026](https://onestowatch.com/live/best-tampa-december-holiday-activities/) - [Buccaneers December 2026 Home Tailgate Tickets & Dates](https://onestowatch.com/live/buccaneers-tailgate-december-2026-games/) - [Top Things To Do In Tampa The Weekend Of December 11, 2026](https://onestowatch.com/live/best-things-to-do-tampa-weekend/) --- ## Structured Data **@graph:** **FAQPage:** **MainEntity:** **Question:** - **Name:** How Many Home Games Do the Tampa Bay Lightning Play in December 2026? **Answer:** - **Text:** The Lightning play seven home games at Benchmark International Arena in December 2026. The home dates are December 7, 10, 12, 17, 22, 29, and 31. **Question:** - **Name:** What Is the Tampa Bay Lightning's New Year's Eve Game in 2026? **Answer:** - **Text:** The Lightning host the Montreal Canadiens on December 31, 2026, at Benchmark International Arena. The game is designated the New Year's Eve Game and is a rematch of the teams' 2026 first-round playoff series. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop, which leaves the evening free for other plans. **Question:** - **Name:** Which December 2026 Lightning Home Games Have Giveaways or Theme Nights? **Answer:** - **Text:** Four December home games carry a promotion. December 7 vs. Columbus gives the first 10,000 fans a Nikita Kucherov Collectible Pocket Art card. December 17 vs. Calgary and December 22 vs. St. Louis are the two Holiday Games, and December 22 also features the Nesting Dolls special ticket pack. December 31 vs. Montreal is the New Year's Eve Game. No theme night or giveaway is scheduled for the December 10, 12, or 29 home games in the 2026-27 season. **Question:** - **Name:** Do the Lightning Play on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve in 2026? **Answer:** - **Text:** The Lightning have no home game on December 24 or December 25. The final home game before Christmas is December 22 vs. St. Louis, and the next home game after Christmas is December 29 vs. Nashville. On December 26, the team plays a road game at the Florida Panthers in Sunrise. **Question:** - **Name:** Where Can I Buy Tampa Bay Lightning Tickets for December 2026? **Answer:** - **Text:** Tickets for all seven December home games are available through the links above. Prices fluctuate with demand, so earlier purchase generally yields better availability and pricing. **Article:** - **Headline:** Tampa Bay Lightning December 2026 Home Games, Ranked - **Description:** Find the best Tampa Bay Lightning December 2026 home games to attend. Compare dates, rivalries & giveaways. 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