Benchmark International Arena is Tampa’s premier multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, located in the downtown Channelside District. It first opened in 1996 as the Ice Palace and has since carried several names, including St. Pete Times Forum,... read more Tampa Bay Times Forum, and Amalie Arena, before adopting its current name in 2025. Owned by Hillsborough County and operated by Vinik Sports Group, the arena is best known as the home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and as one of the busiest event venues in Florida.

The arena can seat between 19,000 and 21,500 fans, depending on the event configuration, whether for hockey, basketball, concerts, or family shows. Over the years, it has hosted some of the biggest events in sports and entertainment, including multiple Stanley Cup Finals, NCAA basketball tournaments, Frozen Four hockey championships, UFC fights, professional wrestling events, and concerts by world-renowned artists. Its flexibility and prime downtown location have cemented its role as a cornerstone of Tampa’s cultural and entertainment life.

In August 2025, the venue was renamed Benchmark International Arena as part of a new naming-rights partnership with a Tampa-based global mergers and acquisitions firm. The deal includes significant contributions to local nonprofit organizations and a rebranding of the premium club level as the Benchmark International Club Level, featuring an exclusive hospitality space known as “The Mark.” This new era builds on the arena’s legacy while strengthening its ties to the community and enhancing the fan experience.