Amerant Bank Arena - Florida Panthers
- Lloyd Brown
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Amerant Bank Arena 1 Panther Pkwy Sunrise, FL 33323
Year Opened: 1998
Capacity: 19,250
Banking on Success
For many years, the thought of locating an NHL team in South Florida was seen as a joke. Fans are not laughing anymore, as the Florida Panthers have played in three straight Stanley Cup Championships, bringing the 2024 and the 2025 Stanley Cups back to their home ice at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fl.
The arena opened in 1998 as the National Car Rental Center and has gone through several naming rights agreements over the years. It became the Amerant Bank Arena in 2023. It has a capacity of 19,250 for hockey, making it the largest arena in Florida. Included in this count are 70 suites and 2,623 club seats.
Food & Beverage 4
Amerant Bank Arena concentrates its food concessions in a food court format, rather than spreading them throughout the concourse, which really keeps the fan traffic flow manageable. The arena has three food courts on each of the two general seating levels.
Vendors operating in the food courts include the BBQ Shack, Nashville Hot Chicken, Tastes of Florida and Poutine and Ice Cream. Pricing on some popular items include hot dogs ($9.85), double burgers and fries ($23), chicken tenders and fries ($18), onion rings ($12), popcorn ($10), nachos ($15), and empanadas ($11).
The arena serves Coca-Cola brand sodas - a 20 oz goes for $8 and a water is $7.
Adult beverages can be enjoyed at several bars within the Amerant Bank Arena. These include the Funky Buddha Bar, the Coor Light Cold Zone, the Jameson Crossbar, the Patron Patio, the Corona Beach House, and Club Stoli. Prices for adult beverages include premium liquors ($17.50), wine ($22), and domestic beers -16 oz ($15).
All concession stands operate on a cashless basis.
Atmosphere 4
Despite the large capacity of the arena, there really are no bad seats. Sightlines are excellent even, in the 300 level.
The fans are energized by the team’s pair of mascots…. a cat and a rat. Stanley C. Panther is the primary mascot, while Viktor E. Ratt assists him. (Toy rats fly out of the stands after Panther wins).
The center-hung scoreboard does a great job in keeping the Panther fans updated on the game stats and action. Each of its four video screens measure 38 feet wide by 31 feet high. There are also two angled screens at the base of the scoreboard to provide fans whose seats are close to the ice a good view of replays and game stats.
The Pantherland Team store sells a wide variety of spirit items. It is in the main lobby on the Plaza level.
Neighborhood 3
Amerant Bank Arena is in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb located 12 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, FL. The neighborhood surrounding it is predominantly commercial, with the Sawgrass Mills shopping mall the only tourist attraction in the area.
Sawgrass Mills has several restaurants. They include the Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, Yard House, Johnny Rocket’s, the Rainforest Café and a wide range of fast-food brands. Home to over 350 retailers, the vast complex spans a broad spectrum of brands, ranging from upscale boutiques to affordable outlet shops
Lodging options close to the Amerant Bank Arena include the Doubletree by Hilton Sunrise and the LaQuinta by Wyndham Sunrise.
Fans 4
While the Panthers did suffer from attendance issues during their early years, the team’s success in recent years has energized the local fans. The team benefits from the large retirement population in the area, as many Floridians moved to Florida from cold weather climates where ice hockey has a major sports presence. You will also notice large numbers of Canadian license plated in the lots, as many Canadian “snowbirds” have winter homes in the area.
The stands are a sea of red, as the fans are celebrating several championships, something the South Florida sports community has not experienced in recent years.
The team’s season ticket allotment has sold out for the past two years, but individual game tickets remain available via SeatGeek, the official ticketing partner.
Access 3
The best way to reach Amerant Bank Arena from the Ft. Lauderdale area is to take I-595 West to NW 136th Avenue then turn north for 1.5 miles to the arena. It may look like taking the Sawgrass Expressway to the game is a more direct route, but this expressway is a toll road, and it can get very backed up during the afternoon rush hour period. There is no nighttime public transportation service in the area, so you will need to drive, or take a taxi/rideshare to get to the game. (One word of warning…. If you miss your turn, you will be in the Everglades swamp!)
There is a large parking lot with more than 7,000 spaces at the arena. Parking can be pre-purchased on the Panther’s website. The parking lots open two hours before the puck drops.
The arena's main entry point is located on its south side. Doors open one hour before the puck drops. Once inside you will find it easy to navigate, as the concourses are wide enough to handle even a full house. There are two seating levels in the arena, with a suite-only level sandwiched in between them. Several sets of elevators and escalators transport fans to their appropriate seating level.
The three food court areas serve each level of the arena, and service is usually very quick, except during the two period breaks.
Return on Investment 3
Parking in the Amerant Bank Arena lot can vary by opponent, but on average it costs $35-$40. Many fan tend to park in the Sawgrass Mills lot across the street from the arena for free, with little pushback from the mall operators or the local police.
Ticket prices have soared due to the high demand for tickets after the two straight Stanley Cup Championships. You can expect to pay $100-$150 for seats in the lower level and $40-$80 in the 300 level.
Overall, the concessions offered in the food courts are priced on the high side. On average, figure a cost of $25-$40 per person for your food and beverages.
Extras 3
In addition to hosting several Stanley Cup Finals games, the arena has hosted the NHL All Star game twice (2003, 2023).
Amerant Bank Arena is a major concert venue for South Florida. Recent concerts have included the Jonas Brothers, Barry Manilow, Cardi B and Ariana Grande. The facility has also hosted both the Latin Billboard Music Awards and the Latin American Music Awards.
Florida Panther fans enjoy a strong tailgating tradition usually found at football games. This is possible year-around due to South Florida’s tame winters.
Final Thoughts
Lord Stanley’s Cup has found a winter home at the Amerant Bank Arena in recent years. The Florida Panthers and their fans are truly “taking it to the Bank” at their team’s home in South Florida.
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