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Game day traffic on Tampa cruise days

Some sail days from Port Tampa Bay land on a home game. Here is what that means for getting to the port, and every upcoming sail day with a home game, from this site's own schedule data.

Lightning home games

Lightning home games are at Benchmark International Arena on Channelside Drive, a few blocks from Terminals 2 and 3. Garages near the arena and the port fill up and Channelside Drive backs up before and after the game. Allow extra time to reach the port on these days. See every Lightning sail day on Lightning home games on sailing days.

Buccaneers home games

Buccaneers home games are at Raymond James Stadium near I-275 and the airport. Traffic between the airport and downtown is heavy for hours around kickoff, so leave extra time if you are flying in or driving down I-275. Allow extra time to reach the port on these days. See every Buccaneers sail day on Buccaneers home games on sailing days.

What I suggest

• Leave earlier than you normally would on a flagged date.
• Look at parking and getting there before you go, and consider booking port parking ahead.
• Check your cruise documents for your terminal and check in time.

Upcoming sail days with a home game

• Sat, Nov 14, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Detroit Red Wings, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Nov 19, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Edmonton Oilers, 7:30 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)

• Sun, Nov 22, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres, 5:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Wed, Nov 25, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Carolina Hurricanes, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Fri, Nov 27, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Ottawa Senators, 3:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Mon, Nov 30, 2026

  ⚠ Buccaneers vs Carolina Panthers, 8:15 PM ET, Raymond James Stadium

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Sun, Dec 6, 2026

  ⚠ Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers, 1:00 PM ET, Raymond James Stadium

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Mon, Dec 7, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Dec 10, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Boston Bruins, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Norwegian Gem (Norwegian Cruise Line)

• Sat, Dec 12, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 3:30 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Dec 17, 2026

  ⚠ Lightning vs Calgary Flames, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)

• Sun, Dec 20, 2026

  ⚠ Buccaneers vs New Orleans Saints, 1:00 PM ET, Raymond James Stadium

  • Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Sat, Jan 2, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Buffalo Sabres, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Sun, Jan 3, 2027

  ⚠ Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Rams, time TBD, Raymond James Stadium

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Jan 14, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Norwegian Gem (Norwegian Cruise Line)

• Sat, Jan 16, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Ottawa Senators, 3:30 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Sat, Jan 30, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs New York Islanders, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Fri, Feb 12, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Dallas Stars, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Norwegian Gem (Norwegian Cruise Line)

• Sat, Feb 13, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Colorado Avalanche, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Feb 18, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Anaheim Ducks, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Sat, Feb 20, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Radiance of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Sun, Feb 28, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Utah Mammoth, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Celebrity Summit (Celebrity Cruises)
  • Enchantment of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)

• Thu, Mar 11, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs New Jersey Devils, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)

• Sat, Mar 13, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs New York Islanders, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Legend (Carnival Cruise Line)
  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Tue, Mar 23, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Florida Panthers, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Thu, Mar 25, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers, 6:30 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)

• Sat, Mar 27, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs New York Rangers, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)
  • Norwegian Gem (Norwegian Cruise Line)

• Thu, Apr 1, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

• Thu, Apr 8, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Montréal Canadiens, 7:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Carnival Paradise (Carnival Cruise Line)

• Sat, Apr 10, 2027

  ⚠ Lightning vs Boston Bruins, 8:00 PM ET, Benchmark International Arena

  • Jewel of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International)
  • Margaritaville at Sea Islander (Margaritaville at Sea)

Home games from the official NHL schedule (nhl.com/lightning/schedule) and the ESPN NFL schedule (cross check buccaneers.com/schedule); sailings from the official Port Tampa Bay cruise schedule. Game times can change; check the team's schedule before you go.

Questions about a sailing? Ask me.