Visit St. Pete-Clearwater Becomes the Official Beaches of the Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2025) – Visit St. Pete-Clearwater today announced a new partnership with their local NHL franchise, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The agreement aligns two incredible hometown brands and positions the Sunshine City and 35 miles of award-winning beaches throughout key markets such as New York, New Jersey, Detroit, Toronto, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Charlotte and Nashville. The prominent VisitSPC branding will remind viewers of the sun & fun they are missing out on in St. Pete-Clearwater during the cold-weather winter months.

The agreement provides exposure for America’s Favorite Beaches through:
Designation as The Official Beaches of the Tampa Bay Lightning
Digitally enhanced board signage appearing on the away team broadcasts for each Lightning home game
Inclusion in the Tampa Bay Lightning Pride Night festivities on April 13
Official sponsor of Thunderbug’s Spring Training Tour
Bolt to the Beach. An interactive social media-driven co-branded sweepstakes during the NHL’s 4 Nations Face Off this month, offering up the Beaches of Tampa Bay as the ideal place to relax and recharge during the team’s 3-week hiatus as fans gear up for a playoff push

The partnership will deliver additional social media collaborations between the two brands, as well as special features on Lightning and VisitSPC social media channels. VisitSPC branding will also appear as part of the Lightning Game Day Newsletter and inclusion in select Lightning Insider Emails.

“We love this partnership with the hometown Tampa Bay Lightning to show that even during a game played on the coldest surface, the sunshine and warmth of America’s Favorite Beaches is always close by – whether you’re in town attending a game or watching from any of the many markets with direct flights to our destination,” said Visit St. Pete-Clearwater CMO Steve Grimes. “We appreciate the leadership of the Lightning and the Vinik Sports Group in their efforts to create a partnership consisting of mutually beneficial elements with the goal of attracting more visitors to enjoy slapshots & sunsets in our slice of paradise.”

This marks the first partnership between the two organizations and expands VisitSPC’s sports partnership portfolio. VisitSPC is also a partner of MLS teams Philadelphia Union and FC Cincinnati, and sponsors the Betfred Rugby League in the U.K., part of the organization’s international marketing efforts in a core market for the destination. 
 

– America’s Favorite Beaches & Then Some –

About Visit St. Pete-Clearwater:
Nestled on a sun-soaked peninsula on Florida's west coast, separating the Gulf Coast from Tampa Bay, St. Pete-Clearwater is the gateway to world-class cultural experiences along with 35 miles of award-winning white-sand beaches annually ranked among the world's best. Immerse yourself in our picturesque sunsets & go beyond the beaches to explore our unique cultural heritage, interactive art exhibits, sporting & recreational activities, a culinary scene serving an innovatively delicious dining experience, & great local shopping. St. Pete-Clearwater is your only destination with spectacular beaches complimented by world-renowned museums, family fun & endless sunshine.  To learn more about St. Pete-Clearwater, visit visitstpeteclearwater.com.

Media contacts:
Eddie Delgado, [email protected], 727-415-1337
Jason Latimer, [email protected], 727-386-3783