The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Bolts Rewards, a fan engagement and loyalty program created in partnership with Uptop, a Rain company. The program gives fans ways to earn points by attending Lightning games and events, spending inside Benchmark International Arena and shopping with participating partners. Bolts Rewards is Uptop’s first National Hockey League program.
Fans can create a free account and link an existing debit or credit card to participate. Uptop will recognize qualifying purchases made with the linked card at participating merchants and add points to the fan’s balance. The program will be available at BoltsRewards.com and inside the Tampa Bay Lightning mobile app starting later in October 2026.
How Tampa Bay Lightning fans can earn points
Fans can earn points by attending Tampa Bay Lightning games and events, spending inside Benchmark International Arena and shopping with participating partners. The announcement lists Bonefish Grill, Busch Gardens, Carrabba’s, Culver’s, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and Outback Steakhouse among those partners. The program is enabled by Avalanche.
Fans can redeem their points for merchandise, memorabilia, tickets and exclusive Tampa Bay Lightning experiences. The linked-card system recognizes qualifying purchases made at participating merchants and credits those purchases to a fan’s balance. Points can be redeemed after they are added to the account.
Comments from Tampa Bay Lightning and Uptop
Chris Overholt, chief commercial officer at Vinik Sports Group, said the program gives the Tampa Bay Lightning another way to recognize fan support. Overholt said that support includes the passion, energy and loyalty Lightning fans bring to Benchmark International Arena throughout the season. He also described the partnership with Uptop as an opportunity to enhance the fan experience.
“Bolts Nation is at the center of everything we do, and we’re always looking for new ways to enhance the fan experience,” said Chris Overholt, Chief Commercial Officer at Vinik Sports Group. “This new partnership with Uptop provides us with another authentic opportunity to recognize and reward the passion, energy and loyalty Lightning fans bring to Benchmark International Arena throughout the season.”
Zac Sebo, head of partnerships at Uptop, said the Tampa Bay Lightning were the company’s first NHL partner for the program. Sebo emphasized that hockey fans support their teams throughout the year, both during the season and in the offseason. The program is designed to provide additional ways for fans to support the team.
“If you’ve been to a hockey game of any level, you know that hockey fans are an incredibly passionate group and want to support their teams all year, regardless of if it’s in-season or off-season,” said Zac Sebo, Head of Partnerships, Uptop. “We couldn’t have asked for a better first partner in the Tampa Bay Lightning to bring an amazing rewards program to life for their fans. Just as excited as the fans are for this season, we’re excited to give them new ways to support their team.”
FSB Take
Bolts Rewards connects Tampa Bay Lightning games, events, arena spending and purchases with participating partners through one points-based program. The most important details for fans are the linked-card process, the listed earning opportunities and the range of redemption options. Fans will be able to access the program at BoltsRewards.com and inside the Tampa Bay Lightning mobile app starting later in October 2026.
Source: Original report