If you’re looking for a hockey game in South Florida, you might naturally assume the team is in Miami. It makes sense, right? Most major franchises stick to the big-city lights. But if you head to downtown Miami expecting to find the Florida Panthers, you’re going to be very disappointed and about forty miles off course.
So, in what city do the Florida Panthers play?
The answer is Sunrise, Florida.
It’s a city that borders the Everglades. Literally. If you stand in the parking lot of the arena and look west, you aren't seeing buildings or suburbs; you're seeing the "River of Grass." It is a unique, somewhat surreal setting for a professional hockey team, especially one that has recently dominated the NHL landscape with back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2024 and 2025.
The Geography of Sunrise: Why Are They There?
Sunrise isn't exactly a household name outside of Broward County. It’s a suburb located about 12 miles west of Fort Lauderdale. For years, people made fun of the location. They called it "the middle of nowhere." Critics argued that putting an ice rink in a swampy suburb was a recipe for empty seats.
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Honestly, they weren't always wrong. During the lean years, the Panthers struggled to fill the building. But the location was a strategic choice by former owner Wayne Huizenga. He wanted a spot that was accessible to fans in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Sunrise sits right at the intersection of the Sawgrass Expressway, I-75, and I-595. It's the geographic "center" of the South Florida tri-county area.
The Home Ice: Amerant Bank Arena
The building itself has gone through a bit of an identity crisis over the decades. Since opening in 1998, it has had more names than some people have had cars. You might remember it as the National Car Rental Center, or maybe the Office Depot Center. For a long time, it was the BB&T Center. Then it was briefly "FLA Live Arena" while they looked for a new sponsor.
Today, it is officially Amerant Bank Arena.
It’s a massive facility. With a capacity of 19,250 for hockey, it’s actually the largest arena in Florida. Inside, it feels much more intimate than the raw numbers suggest. Because the Panthers have been so good lately, the "Cat Shed" (as some locals call it) has become one of the loudest, most hostile environments for visiting teams in the entire league.
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Getting There (And Avoiding the Swamp)
If you're driving to a game, you've got to be careful. Local legend—and a few GPS mishaps—suggests that if you miss the exit for Pat Salerno Drive, you might actually end up in the Everglades.
- From Fort Lauderdale: Take I-595 West. It’s a straight shot. Exit at 136th Avenue and head north.
- From Miami: You’re looking at a 45-to-60-minute drive depending on the nightmare that is South Florida traffic. Take I-95 North to I-595 West.
- From the North (Boca/Palm Beach): The Sawgrass Expressway is your best friend here, though it’s a toll road.
Most fans park at the Sawgrass Mills Mall across the street to save on the hefty arena parking fees. It’s a tradition. You grab a beer at Yard House or a bite at the Cheesecake Factory, then join the sea of red jerseys walking across the bridge over Panther Parkway.
A Brief History of Moving Around
The Panthers didn't start in Sunrise. When the team was founded in 1993, they shared the Miami Arena with the Miami Heat. It was a gritty, loud building in the heart of the city. That was the era of the "Year of the Rat," where fans would throw thousands of plastic rats on the ice after goals.
But the Miami Arena was small. It lacked the luxury suites and modern amenities that 90s sports owners craved. By 1998, the team moved north to their current home in Sunrise. It was a controversial move at the time—shifting away from the urban core—but it eventually cemented the Panthers as "South Florida’s team" rather than just "Miami’s team."
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Why the Location Matters Now
We have to talk about the culture. Because the arena is in a suburb, the "tailgating" vibe is different than a downtown stadium. It’s more family-oriented. You see kids playing street hockey in the parking lots before doors open.
But don't let the suburban setting fool you. The atmosphere has turned electric. Following their 2024 Stanley Cup win, the city of Sunrise became a legitimate hockey town. It’s no longer a "vacation spot" for northern fans to see their original teams play; it’s a fortress for the Cats.
Things to Do Near the Arena
If you’re making the trip to see where the Florida Panthers play, you shouldn’t just see the game and leave.
- Sawgrass Mills: It’s one of the largest outlet malls in the world. You can literally get lost in there for three hours and still not see the whole thing.
- Everglades Holiday Park: Only a few minutes away. You can take an airboat tour and see actual Florida panthers (though they’re rare) or, more likely, plenty of alligators.
- Flamingo Gardens: A bit further east, but a great spot for some nature before the puck drops.
Summary of the Essentials
Basically, if someone asks you in what city do the Florida Panthers play, remember:
- City: Sunrise, FL.
- County: Broward.
- Arena: Amerant Bank Arena.
- Location: Across from Sawgrass Mills Mall.
The Florida Panthers have proven that you don't need a skyscraper backdrop to build a championship culture. Sunrise might have started as a quiet "golf village" with an upside-down house to lure tourists, but today, it is the center of the hockey universe.
Your Next Steps:
If you're planning to attend a game, download the ParkMobile app ahead of time to handle arena parking, or plan to arrive at Sawgrass Mills at least two hours before puck drop to find a spot in the "Oasis" section. Check the official NHL schedule to ensure the team isn't on a road trip, as "Sunrise time" and "Hockey time" only align for 41 home games a year.