The Lightning have had three homes since their first season in 1992: an exhibition hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, a domed baseball stadium in St. Petersburg they called the ThunderDome, and since 1996 the downtown Tampa arena now called Benchmark International Arena.
Here is each home in order, with the years the Lightning played there, what happened there and what the building is used for today. Each arena with a ThrillZing guide links to it.
Every Lightning Arena, 1992 to Today
- Tampa
- 1992
Expo Hall
An exhibition hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds, used for the first season. The Lightning won their first game here, 7–3 over Chicago on October 7, 1992, with four goals from Chris Kontos. At 10,425 seats it was too small.
Today: Still standing at the Florida State Fairgrounds, used as an exhibition hall during the state fair
- St. Petersburg
1993–1996The Florida Suncoast Dome, a baseball stadium, renamed and set up for hockey. A 1996 playoff crowd of 28,183 is still the largest ever at a Stanley Cup playoff game. It became Tropicana Field in 1996.
Today: Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays; its roof was rebuilt after Hurricane Milton and the Rays returned in April 2026
Stadium history →- Tampa
- 1996–presentCurrent home
Opened in October 1996 as the Ice Palace, later the St. Pete Times Forum and Amalie Arena; renamed in 2025. The Lightning clinched the 2004 and 2021 Stanley Cups on home ice here.
Visiting guide →
Lightning Arena FAQ
Where did the Lightning play before Benchmark International Arena?
At the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg from 1993 to 1996, and before that at Expo Hall on the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa for the 1992–93 season.
How many arenas have the Lightning had?
Three: Expo Hall (1992–93), the ThunderDome (1993–1996) and Benchmark International Arena (1996–present). The current arena has also been called the Ice Palace, the St. Pete Times Forum, the Tampa Bay Times Forum and Amalie Arena.
Did the Lightning really play in a baseball stadium?
Yes. The Florida Suncoast Dome opened in 1990 as a stadium designed for baseball. It was set up for hockey and renamed the ThunderDome for the Lightning, and its huge capacity set NHL attendance records. A 1996 playoff game drew 28,183, still the largest crowd at a Stanley Cup playoff game. The building became Tropicana Field and is now home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Is Expo Hall still standing?
Yes. It is still an exhibition hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Its 10,425 seats were too few for the NHL, which is why the Lightning stayed only one season.
Where do the Lightning play now?
At Benchmark International Arena in downtown Tampa, which took that name in August 2025 after 11 years as Amalie Arena. It seats 19,092 for hockey, and the Lightning clinched the 2004 and 2021 Stanley Cups on home ice there.