Upcoming games
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No upcoming games currently listed for Amerant Bank Arena.
Plan your trip
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Amerant Bank Arena fills early.
Getting there
Amerant Bank Arena sits in Sunrise, Florida at 1 Panther Parkway, roughly 35 miles northwest of downtown Miami and immediately east of Sawgrass Mills mall. There is no rail line directly to the arena — Tri-Rail's Cypress Creek and Fort Lauderdale stations are the closest commuter-rail stops but both require a connecting bus or rideshare. Most fans drive in via I-595 to the Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869) and exit at Sunrise Boulevard or NW 136th Avenue. Arena-affiliated and adjacent surface lots ring the venue, and reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats event-day pricing. Rideshare drop-off zones are signed at the arena's main entrances. Confirm bag and entry policies on the Panthers' official site before going.
The neighborhood
Sunrise is a suburban West Broward city and the blocks immediately around the arena are dominated by Sawgrass Mills (one of the largest outlet malls in the country) and the IMG Academy-affiliated training-center developments adjacent to the arena. There is no built-up walkable bar-and-restaurant district within easy walking distance — pre-game eating happens at Sawgrass Mills, in the chain restaurants ringing the mall, or back in Plantation, Davie, or Fort Lauderdale before driving over. The Panthers' Stanley Cup runs have spawned a livelier pre-game scene at the arena's plaza and at the BankUnited Center and surrounding parking-lot tailgate setups, but this is not a walkable urban neighborhood. Travelers building a wider day can pair the visit with Sawgrass Mills shopping, an afternoon at Fort Lauderdale Beach, or an Everglades airboat tour west on I-75.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Walkable pre-game options are limited and lean mall-adjacent. Options at or near Sawgrass Mills a short walk west include The Cheesecake Factory Sawgrass Mills, Texas de Brazil Sawgrass (the Brazilian churrascaria a short walk over), and Grand Lux Cafe Sawgrass. For a denser pre-game meal pattern, the Plantation and Davie corridor a short drive east includes Tap 42 Davie (the South Florida craft-beer-and-burger small chain) and Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park (a short drive east — destination South Florida craft beer). American Social Las Olas on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is the destination pre-game sports bar if you're approaching from the east. Inside the arena, the team's Stanley Cup-era concessions have expanded the local-South-Florida lineup. Pre-game crowds at the closest mall options build quickly within an hour of puck drop.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before puck drop — there is no easy transit option, lot ingress slows down on rivalry nights and playoff dates, and the arena is genuinely in the suburbs. Two-time defending Stanley Cup champion ticket demand is real: the Panthers won the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cups and home playoff dates routinely sell out months in advance. The team's 'Rat Trick' tradition — fans throwing rubber rats onto the ice after Panthers hat tricks — dates back to the 1995-96 Cup run and is the building's signature in-game ritual. Mobile-only tickets and cash-free concessions are the norm; download tickets in advance. The Panthers publish current bag policy and gate-open times on their official site and these change season to season.
Best games to catch
Panthers–Lightning is the in-state I-4 rivalry and the loudest regular-season weekend at the arena. Panthers–Bruins, Panthers–Maple Leafs, and Panthers–Rangers consistently spike demand as the Atlantic Division contention has tightened. Visits from the original-six Canadian markets (Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton) draw heavy traveling crowds. Panthers Stanley Cup playoff dates — back-to-back champions in 2024 and 2025 — are the hardest tickets in South Florida sports and routinely set arena attendance and decibel records. The team's heritage nights, jersey giveaways, and themed promotional dates are published on the official site each year and vary year to year.
What to know
The arena opened in October 1998 as the National Car Rental Center, was renamed Office Depot Center in 2002, became BankAtlantic Center in 2005, BB&T Center in 2012 after BB&T's purchase of BankAtlantic, FLA Live Arena in 2021 after BB&T's merger into Truist, and was renamed Amerant Bank Arena in May 2023 under a multi-year deal with the Coral Gables-based bank. The Panthers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, making the building one of the most identifiable in the modern NHL after decades as a quieter ticket. The seating geometry is intimate by NHL standards and the building was significantly modernized in the lead-up to the championship runs — concourse improvements, scoreboard upgrades, and premium-club additions. The arena also hosts major concerts and the FLA Live Arena-era touring properties year-round. Sunrise's distance from downtown Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale is the one thing visitors should plan around — there is no convenient transit option from either city.
Frequently asked questions
What time do doors open at Amerant Bank Arena?
Doors typically open about 90 minutes before puck drop on standard Panthers game nights, with earlier openings for premium-ticket holders and on certain promotional dates. Check the Panthers' official gates and entry page for the current season's schedule.
How do I get to Amerant Bank Arena without a car?
There is no rail line directly to the arena. Tri-Rail's Cypress Creek and Fort Lauderdale stations are the closest commuter-rail stops, but both require a connecting bus or rideshare to complete the trip. Rideshare from downtown Miami or Fort Lauderdale is the most common car-free approach.
Where can I park near Amerant Bank Arena?
Arena-affiliated and adjacent surface lots ring the venue, with additional capacity at Sawgrass Mills next door. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats event-day pricing — particularly on playoff dates.
Is Amerant Bank Arena the same as the BB&T Center?
Yes — the arena was BB&T Center from 2012-2021, FLA Live Arena from 2021-2023, and became Amerant Bank Arena in May 2023 under a deal with the Coral Gables-based bank. Before that it was the National Car Rental Center (1998), Office Depot Center (2002), and BankAtlantic Center (2005). It is the same Sunrise arena that has been home to the Panthers since 1998; only the name has changed.
Did the Panthers really win back-to-back Stanley Cups?
Yes — the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup in 2024 (defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7) and again in 2025 (defeating the Oilers in a rematch). They are the reigning back-to-back NHL champions entering the current season.
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