Benchmark International Arena Pregame Guide
Tampa Bay Lightning · Tampa, FL
Benchmark International Arena is at 401 Channelside Drive and controls none of the parking in downtown Tampa, so there is no tailgating policy to publish — the nearest option is the Pam Iorio Parking Garage at 375 Channelside Drive, adjacent to the west plaza. The bag rule has a hockey-specific tightening that catches people: bags over 12 by 12 by 12 inches are prohibited generally, but for hockey games anything larger than 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches must go through an X-ray scanner. Doors open 60 minutes before a Lightning game, or 90 for Channel Club, VIP Lounge and Executive Suite guests.
Tips & Fan Reports
For a Lightning game the X-ray threshold drops to 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches, far below the general 12-inch limit — travel with a clutch to skip the scanner.
Accessible drop-off is the circle off Channelside Drive beside the Accessible Entrance.
The Pam Iorio Garage at 375 Channelside is the closest, but the arena runs no parking itself.
Doors open only 60 minutes before puck drop unless you are in the Channel Club, VIP Lounge or a suite.
Where to Go Before the Game
Pam Iorio Parking Garage, 375 Channelside Drive
Adjacent to the west plaza at the arena and the nearest parking option, though the arena controls none of the downtown parking itself.
Known for 375 Channelside Drive · Beside the west plaza · Closest option
Channelside Drive and the west plaza
The arena's own address is 401 Channelside Drive, with the plaza on its west side. The accessible drop-off circle is off Channelside Drive next to the Accessible Entrance.
Known for 401 Channelside Drive · Drop-off circle · Beside the Accessible Entrance
Downtown Tampa parking
The wider stock of downtown garages and lots, none of which the arena runs — so parking is a downtown decision rather than an arena one.
Known for Not arena-controlled · Walking distance
Rules to Know
What Benchmark International Arena allows, and what it does not.
- Bags larger than 12" x 12" x 12" are prohibited. Large bags, not including small clutches, must go through an X-ray scanner prior to entry.
- For hockey games, bags larger than 4" x 6" x 1.5" must go through an X-ray scanner prior to entry.
- Medical and parenting bags exceeding these sizes are permitted, subject to additional search procedures.
- Doors open for a Tampa Bay Lightning game 60 minutes prior to the start. Doors for Channel Club, VIP Lounge and Executive Suite guests open 90 minutes prior.
- The arena does not control any parking in the downtown area. The Pam Iorio Parking Garage at 375 Channelside Drive is adjacent to the west plaza.
- An accessible drop-off area is off Channelside Drive in the drop-off circle, adjacent to the Accessible Entrance.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Bags larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches are prohibited, and bags larger than 4 x 6 x 1.5 inches at hockey games must go through X-ray screening.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are prohibited except when needed for medical purposes.
- A card or a phone wallet
All arena-managed retail and concession locations use cashless payment.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
All tickets for games and events at Benchmark International Arena are mobile only.
Tampa Bay Lightning Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Tampa Bay Lightning gear for the ultimate tailgate.
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It never affects our prices or rankings. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
Benchmark International Arena (amaliearena.com) official site: Know Before You Go, Arena Policies, and ADA/Accessibility
- Venue policies
Current Benchmark International Arena guide, accessibility, ticketing, parking, and Tampa Bay Lightning dietary pages reviewed for Lightning policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals