Watching the Tampa Bay Lightning take on their opponents in the playoffs is an exciting experience for any hockey fan. If you want to watch the game with other cheering fans, attending a Lightning watch party is a great option. But do you need tickets for a Lightning watch party? The short answer is that it depends on the specific watch party. While some watch parties are free and open to the public, others require purchasing tickets in advance.
What are Lightning watch parties?
Lightning watch parties are events where fans can gather together to watch Lightning playoff games on big screens. Watch parties are hosted by a variety of organizations and venues throughout the Tampa Bay area during the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Lightning organization themselves often hosts official watch parties at Amalie Arena where fans can gather on the plaza outside the arena to watch the games on the jumbotron.
In addition to the official watch parties, many local bars, restaurants, movie theaters, parks, and other venues will also host watch parties for Lightning fans. These watch parties aim to recreate the exciting communal viewing experience of watching the game in the arena. Fans can cheer, boo, and react together as they watch the action on massive screens.
Do you need tickets for Lightning watch parties?
Whether or not you need tickets for a Lightning watch party depends on the specific event. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Official watch parties hosted by the Lightning at Amalie Arena’s Thunder Alley are free and open to the public. You do not need a ticket for these large outdoor watch parties.
- For watch parties at local bars, restaurants, or other venues, some will be open to anyone free of charge while others will require purchasing a ticket. This allows the venue to control capacity.
- The Lightning will sometimes host smaller watch parties at sponsored locations like movie theaters. These often require obtaining a free ticket in advance.
- Keep an eye on the Lightning website and social media pages for details on how to attend various watch party events.
- If tickets are required, they are usually available through the host venue’s website, at the box office, or through a ticketing provider.
Where to find Lightning watch parties
Here are some places in the Tampa area to check for Lightning watch parties, whether ticketed or free:
- Amalie Arena Thunder Alley – Free outdoor plaza parties
- Sparkman Wharf in Channelside – Outdoor space with big screens
- Armature Works in Tampa Heights – Indoor/outdoor watch parties
- Eddie C’s in St. Petersburg – Bar hosts watch parties
- MacDinton’s Irish Pub multiple locations – Bars open for fans
- Coppertail Brewing in Ybor City – Brewery hosts watch parties
- Rec Room Tampa – Indoor gaming venue screens the games
- Tampa Theatre – Free or ticketed big screen viewing
- TIA Tampa International Airport – Airport hosts watch parties for traveling fans
- Cigar City Brewing – Brewery has big screens and beer specials
Be sure to also check out your local sports bars, movie theaters, parks, hotel lobbies, and other community venues for potential watch parties open to the public during the playoffs.
What to expect at a Lightning watch party
Attending a Lightning watch party allows you to share the thrill of playoff hockey with enthusiastic fans. Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect:
- Multiple large screens broadcasting the game with the volume turned up
- Lightning gear and decorated venues with banners and signs
- Fans cheering, booing, and reacting loudly throughout the game
- Chants, cheering, and crowd camaraderie just like being in the arena
- Enjoying drinks and food during the game
- Fun giveaways, raffles, and contests during intermissions
- Fans gathering hours before the puck drops to tailgate and socialize
Watch parties capture the electric energy and excitement of playoff hockey as a communal experience. Attending with other fans makes the wins more thrilling and the agonizing defeats more bearable.
Getting tickets to watch parties
If you find a watch party that requires tickets, here are some tips for getting your seats:
- Follow the Lightning and venue social media closely for ticket release announcements and presale codes.
- Sign up for email/text alerts from the venue to get notifications on tickets.
- Check the venue’s box office and website for ticket sale dates and times.
- See if the venue offers any discounts for students, military, senior citizens, etc.
- Consider splurging on VIP tickets for premium seats, exclusive amenities, and food/drink deals.
- Join fan clubs like the Lightning Stickettes for access to ticket presales.
- Get tickets as soon as possible after the sale starts as they go quickly.
- StubHub, VividSeats, and other resale sites can provide last minute ticket options.
Can’t get tickets?
If your desired watch party is sold out, don’t worry! You have alternatives including:
- Head to Thunder Alley to soak up the fun free outdoor atmosphere.
- Consider hosting your own watch party at home with friends and family.
- Check out sports bars in the area to catch the game over some wings and beer.
- Search for movie theaters that may be screening the game.
- See if any local parks are setting up big screens.
- Scope out hotel bars, lobbies or pools that may have TVs and space.
With how passionate Tampa fans are, you’ll have no problem finding a lively spot to cheer on your Bolts alongside other fans during the NHL playoffs!
Do watch parties sell out?
Yes, Lightning watch parties often do sell out quickly due to their popularity among fans. The limited capacity viewing areas like Thunder Alley, bars, theaters, etc. have a finite number of tickets. Demand dramatically exceeds supply for these lively gatherings during the playoff chases.Prestige events like Stanley Cup Final games will essentially insta-sell out. Even watch parties for early round games can hit capacity if the excitement is high enough in a given playoff year. Planning ahead and getting tickets early is key for hot watch parties.
Here is an overview of how quickly different watch parties can sell out:
Watch Party Location | How early tickets sell out |
---|---|
Thunder Alley | Hours to days |
Arena bars/restaurants | Days to weeks |
Local bars | Days to hours before event |
Movie theaters | Hours after onsale |
Stanley Cup Final games | Instant sellouts |
As you can see from the table, the most in-demand watch parties like for the Finals can essentially sell out instantly. Even games early in playoff rounds can have watch party tickets gone within hours or days of going onsale. Your best bet is to repeatedly check social media and sign up for venue alerts to stay on top of watch party announcements to get tickets fast.
Tips for buying tickets
Here are some tips Lightning fans should use to try and get tickets before watch parties sell out:
- Follow watch party hosts and Lightning social media accounts to get announcements for onsale dates/times
- Sign up for pre-sales and fan club access codes when available
- Bookmark ticket pages and refresh right when sales begin
- Use pre-loaded payment options to check out faster once tickets are in cart
- Only buy from official sources and beware of scammers
- Act fast as waiting even 5 minutes can be too long for hot games
- Have a back-up plan like Thunder Alley if you miss out
Utilizing these tips, being persistent, and jumping on tickets quickly will give fans the best shot at securing seats before capacity is reached. Proper planning prevents missing out!
Can you watch games outside the arena without tickets?
Yes, Tampa hockey fans can watch Lightning playoff games outdoors around Amalie Arena even without getting tickets to the official watch parties. While you won’t have access to the concerts, contests, amenities and screens of Thunder Alley outside the arena, there are public areas nearby where you can soak up the excitement.
Places to watch near Amalie without tickets
- Channelside Bay Plaza – Open air plaza with bars/restaurants
- Water Street Tampa – Street usually closed to traffic during games
- Sparkman Wharf – Outdoor waterfront shops and eateries
- Curtis Hixon Park – Grass park within walking distance
- Riverwalk – Pathway along the water by Amalie
The energy and crowd excitement from the arena and Thunder Alley activities will still permeate these nearby areas. Fans can congregate on the waterside outside Thunder Alley to high five and chat with their Lightning-loving neighbors. The cheers after Bolts goals will echo through the plaza and riverwalk areas.
You can even puck drop crawl by bar hopping closeby establishments showing the games on their TVs and patios. Go early to stake out a good spot if you want to be closest to the arena action. Many fans tailgate or bring lawn chairs to set up and hang out for hours before the games start.
What to bring if watching outside Amalie:
- Lawn chairs or blankets to sit on
- Cooler with beverages and snacks
- Battery powered TV or radio to follow game audio
- Lightning gear like jerseys, face paint and flags
- Sunscreen and hats for day games
- External phone charger
- Rain ponchos in case of storms
Arriving early is key to get a front row grassy spot along the riverwalk or prime position to watch the crowds. Bring supplies to make an outdoor tailgating experience. The energy may not be as immersive as Thunder Alley, but you can still significantly enjoy the playoff atmosphere outside Amalie for free.
Conclusion
Attending a Lightning watch party is a quintessential part of the Tampa playoff experience. Lively crowds, thunderous cheering, and nonstop excitement combine to allow fans to unite behind the Bolts. While some watch parties are free, popular events will require purchased tickets that can sell out quickly. Use tips like getting on pre-sales lists and monitoring social media to try to secure your seats early before capacity is reached. With strategic planning, Lightning fans in Tampa won’t miss a minute of the electric energy and action surrounding the team’s Stanley Cup chase.