After 11 years as Amalie Arena, Vinnik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightning announced a name change. Effective immediately, the home arena of the Lightning will be known as Benchmark International Arena.
The Lightning and the mergers and acquisitions group signed a multi-year deal for the naming rights. Financial terms were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the situation said the deal is for 10 years and is among the top five richest for a standalone NHL arena. The UBS deal for the Islanders’ home arena is believed to be the most lucrative for an NHL-only building at $18M a year.
The Vinik Sports Group and Benchmark International said the partnership includes more than $3 million in non-profit contributions to benefit the Tampa area.
Benchmark International is a global mergers and acquisitions firm that provides business owners and operators with creative, value-maximizing solutions for growing and exiting their businesses. They have closed over $12.5 billion in transaction value across multiple industries. They have headquarters in Tampa and offices worldwide. The firm is known for its strategic guidance and exceptional results for business owners and operators worldwide.
Vinik Sports Group CEO Steve Griggs commented on the name change. “We’re proud to welcome Benchmark International as the new naming rights partner of our venue. Benchmark International is a well-respected brand with global reach and strong ties to the Tampa Bay community. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to excellence, service, and community impact. As we transition to this new era, we are grateful for our long-time naming rights partner, AMALIE Motor Oil, who will continue to be a corporate partner of our organization.”
As part of the name change, the arena will undergo a rebrand, including new interior and exterior signage and digital integrations. The Premium Club level will now be the Benchmark International Club Level. Amalie Motor Oil will remain a corporate partner with the organization. Additional sponsorship announcements, including new food and beverage experiences, will be unveiled in the next few months, leading to the 2025-26 Lightning season.
The arena opened in 2002 and was known as the St. Pete Times Forum until 2012. The arena was known as the Tampa Bay Times Forum until 2014, when it changed its name to Amalie Arena. It was here that the Lightning won their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship in 2021.
The arena has also hosted concerts, NBA exhibition games, professional wrestling, and the NCAA basketball men’s and women’s tournaments. It hosted the National Republican Convention in 2012 and will host the AAC post-season tournament in 2028. The rebrand will also include free community events in mid-October, with details to be announced soon.