Benchmark International Arena
Tampa · Home of 🏒 Tampa Bay Lightning
⚡ Quick answers
- Who plays at Benchmark International Arena?
- Benchmark International Arena in Tampa is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).
- What is the closest airport to Benchmark International Arena?
- Tampa (TPA) is the closest major airport, about 6 miles (10 km) from Benchmark International Arena — roughly 10 min by car depending on traffic.
- How much is parking at Benchmark International Arena?
- Game-day parking starts around $10 USD. Benchmark International Arena has no on-site lot, and Channelside's street grid is almost entirely metered with active enforcement, though spaces north of Kennedy Blvd ca…
- How much is a beer at Benchmark International Arena?
- A standard beer is about $9.25 USD at regular stands, 2024-25. Prices vary by stand and size and may change.
- How do you get to Benchmark International Arena without a car?
- The free TECO Line Streetcar runs a 'park and ride the streetcar to the arena for free' option - check the TECO Line Streetcar site for schedule/route map.
- Where are the best seats at Benchmark International Arena?
- Lower bowl (100s) for the electric Bolts crowd (and the Tesla-coil goal celebration); upper 300s cheap. Downtown by the Channel District — sit lower.
- What is the bag policy at Benchmark International Arena?
- Bags up to 12×12×12 in. (larger bags are X-rayed); some concerts ban backpacks and large bags. No outside food or drinks except for medical needs; call 813-301-6500 about medical or religious dietary needs. One empty plastic bottle is allowed for the bottle fillers; no glass, and some concerts ban all bottles.
- Is Benchmark International Arena wheelchair accessible?
- Wheelchair ('WC') rows are on the 100, 200, Club and 300 levels; buy through Ticketmaster or the box office (813-301-6700). The arena recommends the Pam Iorio Parking Garage (Florida Ave entrance, has an elevator), and the drop-off circle on Channelside Dr is next to the barrier-free Accessible Entrance. An ADA elevator at the northwest corner and six guest elevators reach all public areas. Free wheelchair service from the drop-off circle or any staff member will take you to your seat.
✈️🚗 Getting to Benchmark International Arena
Nearest major airport: Tampa (TPA) — about 6 mi / 10 min away.
🏟️ Fan guide
Best seats
Lower bowl (100s) for the electric Bolts crowd (and the Tesla-coil goal celebration); upper 300s cheap. Downtown by the Channel District — sit lower.
Parking
Garages/lots around the arena in the Channelside/downtown area; walkable. The free TECO streetcar serves the area. ($20–35 USD)
Getting there
Free TECO Line streetcar from downtown/Ybor to the Channel District; or walk from downtown Tampa.
Bar scene
Sparkman Wharf and the Channel District right by the arena have bars/restaurants; Ybor City (historic nightlife) is a short streetcar ride.
Pre-game bars
- Sparkman Wharf — Open-air food/bar hall by the arena.
- Ybor City — Historic bar district, short streetcar ride.
Concession prices (USD, approx)
- Standard beer, 2024-25$9.25
- Cuban sandwich$12
Prices vary by stand and size and may change.
Insider tips
- Free TECO streetcar
- Sparkman Wharf or Ybor pre-game
♿ Accessibility at Benchmark International Arena
Wheelchair ('WC') rows are on the 100, 200, Club and 300 levels; buy through Ticketmaster or the box office (813-301-6700). The arena recommends the Pam Iorio Parking Garage (Florida Ave entrance, has an elevator), and the drop-off circle on Channelside Dr is next to the barrier-free Accessible Entrance. An ADA elevator at the northwest corner and six guest elevators reach all public areas. Free wheelchair service from the drop-off circle or any staff member will take you to your seat.
- Sensory-friendly
- Lightning Sensory Room (designed with USF CARD) in the Suites entrance lobby, open to any guest. Free sensory bags at Guest Services, Section 101, while supplies last.
- Hearing
- Assistive listening devices at Guest Services across from Section 101 (photo ID). Hockey game captions in the Lightning app (from older info).
- ASL interpreters
- Email guestexperience@viniksportsgroup.com or accessibility@viniksportsgroup.com at least two weeks ahead.
🎒 Can I bring it? Bag & food policy
- Bags
- Bags up to 12×12×12 in. (larger bags are X-rayed); some concerts ban backpacks and large bags.
- Bag check
- No general bag check confirmed; non-folding strollers can be checked at Guest Services across from Section 101.
- Outside food
- No outside food or drinks except for medical needs; call 813-301-6500 about medical or religious dietary needs.
- Water bottles
- One empty plastic bottle is allowed for the bottle fillers; no glass, and some concerts ban all bottles.
- Refill stations
- Touchless bottle filling stations throughout the arena.
- Re-entry
- No re-entry.
Not allowed & exceptions
- Medical and parenting bags allowed with extra search
- Binocular and camera bags
- Cameras with 6 in.+ lenses at hockey
- Signs on poles
⚠️ Check before you go: The arena's A-Z page contradicts itself on empty metal bottles, and some concert pages ban all bottles—bring only an empty plastic bottle, or none at concerts.
From the venue's official guest guide, checked 2026-10. Rules can change by event. Official policy ↗
🧳 Visiting Benchmark International Arena as an away fan
The next visiting teams, and the airport you'd fly into: Tampa (TPA) (TPA). Each link has that team's full road-trip guide.
- Sat, Oct 17Vancouver Canucks at Lightning NHL
- Thu, Oct 29Winnipeg Jets at Lightning NHL
- Tue, Nov 3Detroit Red Wings at Lightning NHL
- Thu, Nov 5Chicago Blackhawks at Lightning NHL
- Sat, Nov 14Detroit Red Wings at Lightning NHL
- Tue, Nov 17Washington Capitals at Lightning NHL
🎟️ Tickets & more
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