Amalie Arena opened on October 20, 1996, as the Ice Palace in the Channelside District of Downtown Tampa, Florida. Built at a cost of approximately $139 million and owned by Hillsborough County, the 19,092-seat multipurpose arena became the permanent home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and quickly established itself as one of the Southeast’s premier sports and entertainment venues.
The arena operated under the Amalie name from September 2014 through August 2025, when Amalie Oil Company held naming rights. During that era it gained national recognition by hosting four Stanley Cup Finals, including Lightning championship clinchers in 2004 and 2021. In August 2025 the venue was renamed Benchmark International Arena, but its legacy under the Amalie banner remains central to Tampa Bay sports history.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
- Location: 401 Channelside Drive, Downtown Tampa, Florida
- Opened: October 20, 1996
- Capacity (Hockey): 19,092
- Capacity (Concerts): up to 21,500
- Construction Cost: ~$139 million
- Stanley Cup Finals Hosted: 2004, 2015, 2021, 2022
- NHL All-Star Games: 1999, 2018
A Hub for Hockey and Championship Moments
The Tampa Bay Lightning captured their first Stanley Cup championship at the arena in 2004, defeating the Calgary Flames in seven games, with games one, two, five, and seven all played on home ice. The Lightning returned in 2021 to clinch another title at the arena, beating the Montreal Canadiens in five games. The venue also hosted the 2015 and 2022 Finals, making it one of the most frequently used Stanley Cup stages of the modern era.
Beyond the Lightning, the arena briefly welcomed the Toronto Raptors as tenants during the 2020–21 NBA season, when COVID-19 border restrictions prevented the team from playing in Canada. A $35 million renovation completed before the 2012 Republican National Convention modernized the concourses, video systems, premium seating, and added an outdoor deck facing the downtown waterfront.
Concerts and Collegiate Championships
With a concert configuration reaching 21,500 seats, Amalie Arena consistently ranked among the top-grossing arenas in North America for live music. Its location adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Bay waterfront made it an anchor of the city’s Channelside entertainment district and a natural draw for major touring acts.
On the collegiate side, the arena hosted the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Final Four in 2008, 2015, 2019, and 2025, as well as the NCAA Frozen Four in 2012, 2016, and 2023. The NHL All-Star Game visited twice — in 1999 and again in 2018 — underscoring the venue’s long-standing reputation as a reliable host for the league’s marquee occasions.
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Amalie Arena FAQs
When did Amalie Arena open?
The arena opened on October 20, 1996, originally named the Ice Palace. It was renamed Amalie Arena in September 2014 when Amalie Oil Company acquired the naming rights.
What is the seating capacity of Amalie Arena?
Amalie Arena seats 19,092 for NHL hockey games and can accommodate up to 21,500 for concerts and center-stage events.
Is the arena still called Amalie Arena?
No. In August 2025 the venue was renamed Benchmark International Arena. It operated under the Amalie name from September 2014 to August 2025.
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Photo: Miosotis Jade / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.