Amerant Bank Arena is a multipurpose arena in Sunrise, Florida, that opened on October 3, 1998, with a Celine Dion concert. Built for about $184 million and designed by Ellerbe Becket, the venue has served as the home ice of the NHL’s Florida Panthers for its entire existence, sitting a few miles inland from Fort Lauderdale at 1 Panther Parkway.
The building is famous for its revolving door of sponsor names, having been known as National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, and FLA Live Arena before taking its current name in 2023. Beyond hockey, the arena has hosted two NHL All-Star Games, concerts, and, most memorably, back-to-back Stanley Cup championship celebrations for the Panthers.
Stats at a Glance
- Team: Florida Panthers (NHL)
- Location: Sunrise, Florida
- Opened: October 3, 1998
- Capacity (hockey): about 19,250
- Capacity (concerts): up to 23,000
- Construction Cost: about $184 million
- Notable Fact: Site of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup-clinching wins in 2024 and 2025
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 before Amerant Bank took over naming rights in 2023, 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 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.
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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.
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Photo: Gatorfan252525 / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.