Lightning’s Home Gets a New Name
Written By Madison Adams
Over the last decade, Tampa Bay Lightning players and fans have called Amalie Arena their home. That changed on August 13, 2025, when it was announced that Amalie Motor Oil would no longer serve as the arena’s naming-rights sponsor. Instead, the company will continue its relationship with the franchise as a corporate partner. The venue will now be known as Benchmark International Arena, marking a new chapter in the building’s history.
Benchmark International, a global mergers-and-acquisitions firm, has pledged to invest more than $3 million into non-profit organizations throughout the Tampa Bay area. The Lightning’s ownership group emphasized that the new partnership goes beyond signage, aiming to create lasting community impact through outreach, youth programs, and local economic development.
The arena has undergone several identity shifts over the years. Four years after the Lightning joined the National Hockey League in 1992, the doors opened under its original name: Ice Palace. In 2002, it was renamed the St. Pete Times Forum, followed by another change in 2012 to Tampa Bay Times Forum. By 2014, Amalie Motor Oil took over the naming rights, ushering in an era that saw the Lightning lift the Stanley Cup twice—both victories forever linked to Amalie Arena, including their most recent championship on home ice.
As with any renaming, fan reaction has been mixed. Many are sentimental about the memories tied to Amalie Arena—from playoff glory to unforgettable concerts—while others are optimistic about what the change means for the future. The hope is that the new partnership will not only maintain the arena’s world-class reputation but also bolster local causes and strengthen ties with the community.
Lightning owner Jeff Vinik praised the move, stating:
“Benchmark International shares our commitment to excellence, community, and innovation. This partnership is more than just a name on a building—it’s an investment in Tampa Bay.”
With a fresh name and a renewed focus on community engagement, the franchise is looking ahead to a new era—one where the home of the Lightning continues to be a place of history in the making.
