Being a sports fan in Florida has always come with its perks — sunshine, passionate fan bases, and teams that actually win. But for hockey fans across Southwest Florida, the upcoming season brings something even better: easier, free access to Tampa Bay Lightning games than ever before.
For the 2025–26 NHL season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have made a move that directly benefits fans across the region by returning all locally televised home games to Scripps Sports — and adding a brand-new local HD antenna broadcast option on Channel 66.1, “The Spot.”
Free, Over-the-Air Hockey Is Back
For fans who live within roughly 100 miles of the Tampa Bay broadcast area, this change is a big deal.
With a standard HD antenna, viewers across Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Port Charlotte, and much of Southwest Florida should be able to pick up Channel 66.1 clearly — no cable subscription required.
That means:
- No regional sports network blackouts
- No expensive cable packages
- No juggling multiple streaming services just to watch your home team
If you’ve got a TV and a basic antenna, you’re back in the game.
A Real-World Setup That Actually Works
To put this to the test personally, I picked up a compact indoor HD antenna from Amazon and can confirm it picks up Channel 66.1 perfectly — no rooftop antenna, no outdoor mounting, no complicated setup.
It’s a small, unobtrusive antenna that sits inside the house, and it locked onto the Lightning broadcast in clean HD without any issues.
Honestly, it’s worth giving it a shot.
One antenna costs less than what many fans paid for just three months of streaming last season, and once you have it, you’re set — no recurring fees, no monthly subscriptions, no surprises on your bill.
A Win for Florida Fans — Especially in Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida has long been Lightning country. From watch parties at local bars to families following the team together at home, the Lightning’s success over the past decade has built a strong fan base well beyond Tampa.
This new broadcast setup recognizes that reality.
Whether you’re in Sarasota County, Manatee County, Charlotte County, or Lee County, the ability to watch Lightning hockey for free and in HD reinforces what it means to be a Florida fan — accessibility, community, and pride in a team that consistently competes at the highest level.
Still Plenty of Streaming Options
For fans who prefer streaming, nothing is being taken away. Scripps Sports continues to support digital viewing options alongside traditional broadcasts, ensuring fans can watch at home, on the road, or wherever they are.
But the return of over-the-air local broadcasts feels especially meaningful in an era when sports access has become increasingly fragmented and expensive.
Florida Hockey, Done Right
The Lightning have always been about more than just what happens on the ice. They’ve helped grow the game in Florida, proved that hockey belongs in the Sunshine State, and built a culture that fans across the region can rally behind.
Bringing games back to free local TV is another example of that mindset.
For Southwest Florida fans, it’s simple:
- Turn on the TV
- Tune to 66.1 The Spot
- Watch one of the NHL’s premier franchises do what it does best
And enjoy the fact that, once again, being a Florida hockey fan just got easier.
Go Bolts. ⚡
How to Watch:
Full details on broadcast and streaming options are available directly from the Lightning:
https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/how-to-watch-the-lightning-for-the-2025-26-season-tv-channel-streaming-info-and-more
