Amerant Bank Arena is the Florida Panthers’ only home since the franchise’s rink opened its doors on October 3, 1998, and it’s also one of the most renamed buildings in American sports, cycling through five corporate titles before Amerant Bank took over in 2023.
Beyond the name changes, it’s a working hockey arena with real logistics: a specific gate for rideshare, a cashless parking system, a 12-inch bag limit, and a seating bowl that flexes from about 19,250 for Panthers games up to 23,000 for concerts. Here’s what you need to know whether you’re going for a game or just curious about the building’s history.
- Florida Panthers played here 1998–present. See every Panthers arena →
Quick Answer
Amerant Bank Arena sits at 1 Panther Parkway in Sunrise, Florida, and has hosted every Florida Panthers home game since 1998. It holds about 19,250 for hockey and up to roughly 23,000 for concerts, with on-site parking (credit/debit only), SeatGeek as the official ticketing partner, and a 12″ x 12″ bag-size limit at entry.
A Name for Every Era
Few arenas in American sports have changed names as often as this one. Since 1998 it has carried five different corporate titles — National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena — before Amerant Bank took over naming rights in 2023. It’s a reflection of South Florida’s ever-shifting sponsorship market rather than any change to the building itself, which has remained the Panthers’ one and only home rink.
Despite the shuffling names, the arena’s bones have stayed consistent: a bowl designed for both hockey sightlines and touring concerts, with capacity flexing from about 19,250 for Panthers games up to roughly 23,000 for the biggest concert configurations.
From All-Star Stage to Champions’ Home
The arena hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 2003 and again in 2023, showcasing the league’s top talent on South Florida ice. It reached a new level of significance when the Panthers reached consecutive Stanley Cup Finals, hosting Final games in both 2023 and 2024.
The franchise’s breakthrough came in June 2024, when the Panthers won their first Stanley Cup in a Game 7 held at the arena, and they returned the favor a year later, clinching a second straight title at home in Game 6 of the 2025 Final against the Edmonton Oilers.
Getting There & Parking
The arena sits just off the Sawgrass Expressway at 1 Panther Parkway in Sunrise, roughly 20 minutes west of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Drivers coming from the north or south typically take the Sawgrass Expressway to Oakland Park Boulevard, then Flamingo Road to Panther Parkway, while those on I-75 can exit directly toward Gates 1 or 2 via Pat Salerno Drive.
On-site lots offer around 7,200 spaces, including enclosed and accessible parking, and lots open roughly two hours before events. Parking is cashless — credit or debit cards only — and pricing varies by event, so it’s worth checking the venue’s event page in advance. Rideshare drop-off and pickup is handled at designated gates away from general traffic, and a handful of public bus routes stop within a short walk of the arena for fans skipping the drive altogether.
Seating Chart & Best Views
For Panthers games, the lower bowl wraps tightly around the ice, with center-ice sections near 117–119 and 101–102 offering the classic sightline, while sections around 134 give a good angle on the home bench. Premium spaces include the Lexus Club, Corona Beach House, Club Center and End sections, and the Lord Stanley’s Loft suites, each with its own concourse and amenities.
Because the bowl reconfigures for concerts — with floor seating added and capacity rising toward 23,000 — the numbering and sightlines for a touring show won’t match hockey night exactly, so it’s worth checking the specific event’s seating map before buying.
Tickets, Box Office & Bag Policy
SeatGeek is the official ticketing partner for both the arena and the Florida Panthers, and the box office also handles walk-up sales and will-call during normal business hours, with windows staying open later on event days. Tickets are generally final sale once purchased.
Security runs a bag-size limit rather than a strict clear-bag rule: bags up to 12″ x 12″ are allowed through screening, small clutches around 4″ x 6″ skip the X-ray line, and anything larger has to go back to the car or into paid locker storage near the Publix Plaza stairs. Backpacks, including backpack-style purses and drawstring bags, are allowed if they’re 12″ x 12″ or smaller. For the current gate list, exact parking rates, and the full visitor policy before you go, check the official Amerant Bank Arena website.
Photos
Sherpa-lined and windproof, with a waterproof back for wet bleachers. Folds into its own pouch.
For late-season football, outdoor hockey and October park nights. Shake, pocket, and stay warm for hours.
12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
Amerant Bank Arena FAQs
What is Amerant Bank Arena called now, and what was it called before?
Amerant Bank Arena is the current name, adopted in 2023. It was previously National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena.
Who plays at Amerant Bank Arena?
The Florida Panthers of the NHL have played all their home games at the arena since it opened in 1998.
Has a Stanley Cup been won at Amerant Bank Arena?
Yes. The Florida Panthers clinched the Stanley Cup at the arena in both 2024 and 2025, winning back-to-back championships on home ice.
Where is Amerant Bank Arena located?
The arena is at 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise, Florida, just off the Sawgrass Expressway and roughly 20 minutes west of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
How much does parking cost at Amerant Bank Arena?
On-site parking is cashless (credit or debit cards only) and pricing varies by event, so it’s best to check the specific game or show on the arena’s official site before you arrive.
What is the bag policy at Amerant Bank Arena?
Bags up to 12″ x 12″ are allowed after screening, small clutches around 4″ x 6″ skip the X-ray line, and backpacks up to 12″ x 12″ are also allowed. Oversized bags can be returned to a vehicle or checked at paid lockers near the Publix Plaza stairs.
What is the seating capacity of Amerant Bank Arena?
The arena holds about 19,250 for Florida Panthers hockey games and can expand to roughly 23,000 for large concerts.
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