Benchmark Intl’ Arena

• Driving & Parking
  From I-275, take Exit 44 Ashley Drive and head south, or Exit 45 Ybor City/21st/22nd Street. Downtown Tampa garages and lots surround the stadium.
• Public Transit
  • TECO Line Streetcar
    The TECO Line Streetcar System provides a completely fare-free, 2.7-mile route connecting downtown Tampa through the Channelside district to Ybor City, stopping directly near the arena. For game nights and major weeknight events, streetcar service is conveniently extended until midnight and up to 2:00 AM on weekends. If you are traveling from Tampa International Airport,
  • Bus Lines
    HART Routes 10, 30, and 32 offer direct connections to downtown, while the PSTA 300X serves riders coming from Pinellas County.
• Rideshare
  To avoid heavy traffic, use the dedicated zones managed by the arena and the city. Before the event, rideshare drop-offs are restricted to the 15-minute circle just east of Morgan St. and Channelside Dr. After the event, standard rideshare apps route drivers to official Rider Pick Up zones located at the intersections of Jefferson & Eunice, Nebraska & Eunice, Nebraska & Cumberland, and Water & Cumberland. Walking a few blocks out into Water Street or down toward the Publix area makes summoning an Uber or Lyft significantly faster and cheaper.

The Channelside/Water Street district, Sparkman Wharf, and nearby Ybor City offer excellent pregame options.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• Hattricks
  The arena's official restaurant and bar, directly attached to the building. Named for the hockey term, it's the most convenient pregame option with a game-night atmosphere.
• Sparkman Wharf
  A waterfront dining and entertainment district on the Tampa Riverwalk near the arena, featuring shipping container-style restaurants, a beer garden, and outdoor seating with water views. Multiple food concepts and craft beer make it a diverse pregame destination.
• American Social - Bar & Kitchen - Tampa
  A sports bar and restaurant on Water Street near the arena with craft beer, cocktails, and elevated bar food.
• JOTORO Kitchen & Tequila Bar
  A Latin-inspired restaurant near the arena offering creative cuisine and an extensive tequila selection.
• Anchor Tavern
  A neighborhood tavern near the arena with cold beer and a casual atmosphere.
• Yeoman's Topgolf Swing Suite
  An entertainment venue near the arena combining golf simulators with food and drinks.
• Eddie And Sam's N.Y Pizza
  A New York-style pizza spot near the arena for a quick pregame slice.
• Naked Farmer
  A farm-to-table restaurant near the arena emphasizing fresh, local ingredients.
• TASTE Restaurant & Bar
  A restaurant near the arena offering creative cuisine and cocktails.

Neighborhood Attractions

• Ybor City
  Tampa's historic Latin quarter, about 10 minutes from the arena (or a short streetcar ride). Founded by cigar manufacturers in the 1880s, it's now an entertainment district with bars, restaurants, and nightlife. The Columbia Restaurant. Florida's oldest restaurant (1905) serves legendary Spanish-Cuban cuisine.
• Armature Works
  A renovated 1910 streetcar maintenance building on the Tampa Riverwalk housing a food hall, event space, and bars. About 15 minutes from the arena.
• The Florida Aquarium
  Located on the Channelside waterfront, about a 5-minute walk from the arena. Interactive exhibits on Florida's marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, wetlands, and a shark tank.
• Tampa Riverwalk
  A 2.6-mile waterfront walkway connecting downtown Tampa's attractions, including the arena, the Tampa Convention Center, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, and the Tampa Museum of Art. One of the best urban riverwalk experiences in Florida.

• Statues
  • Phil Esposito
    The bronze statue of Hockey Hall of Famer and Lightning co-founder Phil Esposito remains a major fixture outside the main entrance plaza. He is depicted in a business suit holding a hockey stick.
  • Dave Andreychuk
    Standing tall in the plaza, this statue captures the iconic moment from 2004 when captain Dave Andreychuk hoisted the franchise’s very first Stanley Cup.
• Championship banners
  2004, 2020, & 2021. Presidents' Trophies banner
• The Digital Pipe Organ
  Located on the terrace level near the Between the Pipes party deck is the massive, 5-manual Walker digital pipe organ. It features hundreds of speakers spread across the venue and functions as the thunder to match the Tesla Coils lightning" during game presentations.
• The Tesla Coils
  Hanging from the arena ceiling are the famous, high-voltage Tesla Coils. They are fired up during pre-game introductions and blast real, 25-foot arcs of lightning through the air every time the Lightning score a goal or win a gam

• The Mark
  Located on the premium tier, this is the arena's crown jewel all-inclusive club for Lightning games. Upgraded with elegant finishes, it features an upscale all inclusive buffet alongside complimentary mixed drinks, craft beer, wine, and soda. Ticket holders here also enjoy a dedicated premium entrance right off the Publix Plaza and access to the exclusive Diamond Crown Cigar Lounge.
• Ashley VIP Lounge & Glass Seats
  The most exclusive ticket in the building. These memberships put you directly on the glass in Rows A and B of the 100 level or Row C right behind the team benches. Benefits include a private entrance off Ford Thunder Alley, 90-minute early entry, and access to a lavish, private lounge serving premium cocktails and a high-end chef's buffet.
• The Channel Club
  Situated on the 200 level, this highly sought-after, full-season membership tier offers a perfect elevated view of the ice rink. It features a private club concourse with its own upscale buffet stations, dedicated bars, and all-inclusive beer, wine, liquor, and soda.
• Upexi Loge Boxes
  Positioned smoothly between the lower level and the club tiers, these semi-private, luxury loge boxes offer a premium corporate hospitality environment. They feature private, cushioned seating clusters with excellent sightlines, table space, and premium food and beverage pairings.
• The Lofts
  Located on the Tampa Bay Club Level, these two expansive open-air party areas are designed for premium group hosting of 40 to 125 guests. Tickets include oversized theater-style leather seats in front of the private lounge area, a fully open buffet with beer, wine, and soda, and personalized video board recognition.
• Executive & Super Suites
  Spread across the private suite level, these classic luxury boxes accommodate up to 22 guests Executive or up to 40 guests Super Suites. They provide complete privacy, customized high-end catering options, VIP parking passes, and a dedicated suite-holder entrance near Gate C.
• Benchmark International Club Level
  For fans wanting extra comfort without the full all-inclusive price tag, sections 201–230 feature oversized, extra-padded stadium seats with extended legroom. While they do not come with complimentary catering, they grant exclusive access to the private Club Level concourse, which boasts shortened lines for high-end local food concessions and upscale bars.

• Signature Items
  Tampa and Ybor City claim to have invented the Cuban sandwich. Devil crab a Tampa original spiced crab meat in a breaded croquette is a unique find.
• Market on Four
  Located on the 200 level, this upscale food-court style marketplace features a rotating, seasonally inspired menu. It acts as a culinary hub, offering a diverse mix of gourmet options alongside premium craft cocktails served in reusable glassware.
• Bolts Bites Guest Chef Series
  A highly popular addition to the main concourse. On select game days, OVG partners with top-tier local Tampa institutions to host pop-up menus, showcasing exclusive dishes from spots like Bern's Steak House, Zukku Sushi, Bavaro's, and Meat Market.
• Loli's Tacos
  A massive win for local flavor, this beloved Tampa favorite serves authentic, street-style tacos on fresh-pressed tortillas, packed with flavorful meats and vibrant salsas.
• Bull Market
  A fan-favorite hidden gem located on the terrace level (behind sections 309–310). It is famous for serving up hearty, high-quality Asian-inspired rice bowls, specifically their signature ginger beef bowl topped with fresh broccoli and carrots.
• Bowl'd Over
  Offering an alternative to traditional heavy stadium food, this stand specializes in fresh, customizable grain and green bowls packed with clean proteins and healthy toppings.
• Knead Italia
  The premier stop for Italian comfort food, serving up thick-crust personal pizzas, artisanal flatbreads, and freshly baked garlic knots.