The Tampa Bay Lightning will celebrate Noche Latina on Thursday with their 2026 event, hosting the Seattle Kraken at Benchmark International Arena behind a specialty jersey designed by Guatemalan-born Ybor City artist Carlos Pons. The game, set for October 15, doubles as a showcase for Pons' custom logo redesign.
The Lightning and the Lightning Foundation announced the matchup and date back on September 3, confirming the Kraken as the opponent and Benchmark International Arena as the venue for the team's second Noche Latina under its current format, according to the Tampa Bay Lightning. As Tampa Bay 28 reported, Pons created a special jersey design for the team, and the Noche Latina jersey will be available at a team store on October 15, with purchases also possible through tblnochelatina.givesmart.com.
Fans attending in person or following online have more ways to take part than just buying a jersey. The Lightning Foundation is selling player-signed mystery pucks featuring Pons' custom design for $40 at Section 123 inside the arena, or $50 online.
An Artist With Deep Tampa Bay Roots
Pons, born in Guatemala City in 1989, moved to the United States in 2000 and worked under DACA protection before becoming a U.S. resident, according to VoyageTampa. He founded his commercial art firm, Paz Art Creations, in 2019 and has a studio at Kress Contemporary in Ybor City. The Lightning describes him as having more than 15 years of creative expertise spanning paintings, murals and digital illustrations.
His public art footprint around Tampa Bay predates his Lightning jersey. A mural by Pons at ZooTampa dates to 2024.
Part Of A Growing League-Wide Program
Pons' selection is the latest chapter in the Lightning's Local Artist Collaboration program, part of its Hockey Is For Everyone initiative. The program commissions local artists to redesign the team logo on specialty jerseys for five theme nights each season, including Noche Latina, Pride, Hockey Talks, Black Heritage and Women in Sports, per the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The team's first Noche Latina under this collaboration model came last October 26, when Mexican-born artist Juan Pablo “JP” Parra provided the artwork and the Lightning donated more than 220 tickets to local Hispanic-serving nonprofits, Tampa Bay 28 reported. Those beneficiaries included Enterprising Latinas, SOMOS HCC, Tampa Hispanic Heritage Inc. and the Puerto Rican Ice Hockey Association.
Why Tampa Bay Is A Natural Fit
The timing and location make sense given the region's demographics.
Tampa's Lightning aren't alone in marking the close of Hispanic Heritage Month this way. The Florida Panthers are hosting their own Vamos Gatos Night on October 15, 2026, in a state where 29.2% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to The Rat Trick. The Lightning's Noche Latina was held October 26.
The NHL and NHLPA announced a joint Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in September 2021, per the same outlet.
