It is loud. That is the first thing you notice when the Florida Panthers hockey stadium—currently known as Amerant Bank Arena—really gets going. It isn't just the noise of the crowd, though South Florida fans have become significantly more boisterous since the team’s 2024 Stanley Cup run. It's the sheer scale of the place sitting right on the edge of the Everglades. You’re basically in Sunrise, Florida, looking at a massive temple of ice surrounded by sawgrass and a giant outlet mall.
Most people expect a hockey rink in Florida to feel like a gimmick. It isn't.
If you’re driving west on I-595, the arena rises up like a beige fortress. It’s been called many things over the years—National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, and BB&T Center. The name on the outside changes as often as some people change their tires, but the bones of the building remain one of the most underrated viewing experiences in the NHL.
The Geography of Amerant Bank Arena
Location is everything. Sorta.
The Florida Panthers hockey stadium isn't in downtown Miami. It isn't in Fort Lauderdale either. It’s in Sunrise. Specifically, it’s located at 1 Panther Parkway. This confuses tourists who fly into MIA and realize they have a 45-minute Uber ride ahead of them depending on the hellish state of South Florida traffic. Honestly, if you're coming for a game, stay in Fort Lauderdale or even Plantation. It’ll save you the headache.
Directly across the street is Sawgrass Mills. It’s one of the largest outlet malls in the United States. This is actually a pro tip for parking: some people try to park at the mall to save the $35+ arena parking fee, but the mall security is aggressive about towing during game nights. Don't risk it. Just pay for the official lot or find a sanctioned park-and-ride.
The arena itself was built in 1998 for about $185 million. In today’s money, that’s a steal, but at the time, it was a massive gamble to put a hockey team in a swamp. The gamble paid off. The building holds roughly 19,250 people for hockey. When it’s full, the acoustics are designed to trap sound, making the "Let's Go Panthers" chants feel like they're vibrating in your chest.
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What It’s Like Inside the Glass
The sightlines are incredible. Seriously.
Unlike some older arenas in the Northeast where you might end up behind a concrete pillar, there isn't a bad seat in the Florida Panthers hockey stadium. Even the "Flight Deck" or the 400-level seats offer a clear view of the play developing. If you're a hockey purist, the 300 level is actually better than being row 1 on the glass because you can see the defensive rotations and the speed of the transition game.
Then there is the ice itself. Keeping ice frozen in a state where the humidity regularly hits 90% is a thermodynamic miracle. The arena uses a massive cooling system that keeps the slab at a constant temperature. Players sometimes complain that the ice gets "snowy" or soft in the third period during a hot October game, but generally, the crew headed by the building operations team does a stellar job.
Food, Drinks, and the "Rat Trick"
You can't talk about this stadium without talking about the rats. Plastic ones, mostly.
The tradition dates back to 1995 when Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room with his stick and then scored two goals. Now, when the Panthers win or a player gets a hat trick, thousands of plastic rats rain down onto the ice. It’s chaos. It’s weird. It’s uniquely Florida. The stadium staff has a literal "Rat Patrol" that uses shovels to clear them off so the game can continue or the ice can be resurfaced.
Food-wise, it’s standard stadium fare with a Latin twist. You can get a decent Cuban sandwich or empanadas, which beats a soggy hot dog any day. There are also high-end clubs like the Corona Beach House and the Lexus Club for those who want to spend $200+ on a ticket that includes an all-you-can-eat buffet. Honestly, the mid-tier concessions are fine, but the beer prices are exactly what you’d expect: expensive.
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Why the Atmosphere Changed Recently
For a long time, the Florida Panthers hockey stadium was half-empty. You could walk up to the box office five minutes before puck drop and get a lower-bowl seat for sixty bucks. Those days are gone.
Since the team became a perennial contender and grabbed the Cup in 2024, the "vibe" has shifted. It’s no longer a place where fans of the New York Rangers or Montreal Canadiens outnumber the locals. The "Cats" fans have claimed their territory. The introduction of the "Rat" siren and the high-energy pre-game light shows have turned the arena into a legitimate fortress.
The venue also hosts massive concerts. Because it’s the only major arena in Broward County, it gets the big tours—everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Ariana Grande. The acoustics for concerts are surprisingly good for a "concrete box," mostly because the ceiling is packed with sound-absorbing materials to prevent echoes.
Navigating the Logistics Like a Pro
If you are going to a game, here is the reality of the logistics.
- Arrival Time: Get there at least 45 minutes early. Security lines at the main entrance can be sluggish, especially if there’s a giveaway like a bobblehead or a jersey.
- The App: Download the Panthers app. They’ve moved almost entirely to mobile ticketing and cashless concessions. If you show up with a wad of twenties and no smartphone, you’re going to have a bad time.
- The Temperature: It’s Florida outside, but it’s 60 degrees inside. People show up in shorts and flip-flops and then spend the whole first period shivering. Bring a hoodie. Even better, buy a jersey at the Pantherland team store located in the main lobby.
- Traffic Patterns: When the game ends, getting out of the parking lot is a nightmare. There are only a few main arteries leading back to the sawgrass expressway. My advice? Hang out in the arena for 15 minutes after the final horn. Let the first wave of SUVs clear out.
Is It Worth the Trip?
Some hockey fans are snobs about "sunbelt hockey." They think if it isn't snowing outside, the game doesn't count. They're wrong. The Florida Panthers hockey stadium offers a cleaner, more comfortable, and more modern experience than many of the "Original Six" rinks.
The stadium isn't just about the NHL, either. It’s a hub for the community. They host high school graduations, Disney on Ice, and even professional bull riding. But it’s at its best when the ice is down, the lights go dark, and the roar of the crowd starts building from the Everglades.
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The building is aging, sure. It opened in the late 90s, and you can see a little wear and tear in the concourses if you look closely. But the Panthers' ownership has poured millions into upgrades—new scoreboards, revamped luxury suites, and better lighting. It feels fresh.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to the Florida Panthers hockey stadium, don't just wing it. Follow these specific steps to ensure you actually enjoy the night rather than stressing over the details.
First, check the schedule for promotional nights. The Panthers are big on themes—Star Wars night, 90s night, and various heritage nights. These usually come with limited edition merchandise or lower ticket prices for certain sections. Use sites like TickPick or SeatGeek to compare prices, but always check the official NHL site first to see if there are "family packs" that include food vouchers.
Second, plan your meal. If you don't want to pay $18 for a burger inside, eat at one of the restaurants in Sawgrass Mills before you cross the street. Just remember to move your car to the actual arena lot before the game starts. Yard House and Bahama Breeze are popular spots nearby that are usually crawling with fans in jerseys two hours before puck drop.
Third, if you’re a jersey collector, hit the "Pantherland" store early. It gets absolutely packed during intermissions. If you want a specific player’s jersey or a limited edition "Reverse Retro," buy it the moment the doors open.
Finally, take a moment to walk around the outside of the building. The palm trees lit up in red and blue against the Florida sunset is a view you won't get at any other hockey arena in the world. It’s a weird, beautiful juxtaposition of ice and tropics that defines what South Florida sports are all about.
The arena is located at 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL 33323. Whether you're there for the hitting, the rats, or just the air conditioning, it’s an experience that finally matches the elite level of the team playing on the ice.