The Grandstand of Sunrise
Amerant Bank Arena: A premier venue in South Florida, hosting world-class sports, concerts, and events, and home to the Florida Panthers.
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About the Arena
Location and Identity
Amerant Bank Arena is a prominent indoor arena situated in Sunrise, Florida, United States. It serves as the official home venue for the Florida Panthers, a distinguished team within the National Hockey League (NHL). Completed in 1998, this state-of-the-art facility was constructed at a cost of US$185 million, predominantly financed through public funds. It stands as a testament to modern arena design, featuring 70 luxurious suites and an impressive 2,623 club seats, enhancing the spectator experience.[2]
Scale and Significance
Boasting a substantial field size of 872,000 square feet (approximately 81,000 square meters), Amerant Bank Arena is recognized as the largest arena in Florida.[20] Its expansive footprint and versatile design enable it to host a diverse array of events, from high-stakes professional sports to grand-scale concerts and community gatherings. The arena's strategic location in Sunrise, Florida, further solidifies its role as a central hub for entertainment and sports in the region.
Ownership and Operation
The arena is owned by Broward County, Florida, reflecting a significant public investment in regional infrastructure and entertainment. Its day-to-day operations are expertly managed by the Arena Operating Company, Ltd., ensuring a seamless experience for both event organizers and attendees. This collaborative structure underscores the arena's importance as a community asset and a major economic contributor to the South Florida area.
Historical Evolution
Conception and Construction
The genesis of Amerant Bank Arena traces back to 1992 when Wayne Huizenga secured an NHL franchise, which would become the Florida Panthers.[5] Initially, the team played at the Miami Arena. In December 1995, Sunrise City Manager Pat Salerno unveiled a $167-million plan for a civic center near the Sawgrass Expressway, gaining Broward County's approval in February 1996.[7][8] Ellerbe Becket, the architects, undertook the ambitious task of completing the arena within 26 months, a feat they accomplished despite never having designed a facility in such a tight timeframe.[5] The construction involved over fifty subcontractors and an impressive 2.3 million man-hours without a single injury, highlighting a commitment to safety and efficiency.[4]
Opening and Early Years
The arena, known during construction as the Broward County Civic Center, secured its initial naming rights in July 1998 from National Car Rental, a company owned by Huizenga.[9] A certificate of occupancy was issued on September 12, 1998, and the venue officially opened its doors on October 3, 1998, with a concert by Celine Dion. The following day, Elton John performed, and on October 9, 1998, the Florida Panthers played their inaugural home game, securing a 4โ1 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[10]
Naming Rights Evolution
Over its history, the arena has undergone several name changes reflecting shifts in corporate sponsorships:
- National Car Rental Center (1998โ2002): Following ANC Rental's bankruptcy, a new sponsor was sought.[11]
- Office Depot Center (2002โ2005): Named after the Boca Raton-based company.
- BankAtlantic Center (2005โ2012): Named after the Fort Lauderdale-headquartered bank.
- BB&T Center (2012โ2021): After BB&T acquired BankAtlantic.[12][13]
- FLA Live Arena (2021โ2023): A temporary name after BB&T merged to form Truist Financial and did not renew naming rights.[17]
- Amerant Bank Arena (2023โpresent): Amerant Bank, a South Florida-based institution, became the new naming rights partner on September 19, 2023.[18][19]
Architectural & Operational Features
Seating Configurations
Amerant Bank Arena is designed for maximum versatility, offering various seating capacities to accommodate a wide range of events:
- Basketball: 20,737 spectators
- Ice Hockey: 19,250 spectators
- Arena Football: 19,779 spectators
- Concerts:
- End stage 180ยฐ: 15,207
- End stage 270ยฐ: 19,119
- End stage 360ยฐ: 21,371
- Center stage: 22,457
- Theatre: 3,000 for more intimate performances.[1]
Additionally, the arena boasts 17,000 square feet (1,600 mยฒ) of arena floor space, making it suitable for trade shows, circuses, and ice shows.[2]
Parking and Logistics
Efficient logistics are crucial for a venue of this scale. The arena provides extensive parking and robust loading facilities:
- Total Parking Spaces: 7,045
- General parking: 4,446 spaces
- Suite/club seat parking: 1,771 spaces
- Garage parking: 226 spaces
- Disabled parking: 92 spaces
- Truck Doors: 5, facilitating efficient load-in and load-out for large productions.
- Waste Removal Docks: 2, ensuring effective waste management.[2]
Premium Amenities
The arena offers a range of premium amenities designed to enhance the guest experience:
- Suites: 70 well-appointed suites, each featuring wet bars, closed-circuit monitors, and luxurious leather upholstery.[4]
- Club Seats: 2,623 club seats provide an elevated viewing experience.
- Amerant Vault (formerly Club Red): A sprawling 12,000+ square-foot exclusive lounge, completed in October 2012. This lounge offers a premium experience for concerts, shows, and events, including a coveted center-ice view for hockey games.[14]
- Scoreboard: A new, state-of-the-art scoreboard was funded by Broward County in May 2013 and debuted for the Panthers' 2013โ14 home opener on October 11, 2013, significantly enhancing in-arena visuals.[15][16]
A Calendar of Celebrated Events
NHL Milestones
As the home of the Florida Panthers, Amerant Bank Arena has been the stage for numerous significant National Hockey League events:
- Hosted the NHL Entry Draft in 2001 and 2015.
- Site of the 2003 NHL All-Star Game, where the Western Conference triumphed 6โ5 in the league's first "official" shootout.
- Scheduled to host the 2021 NHL All-Star Game, which was unfortunately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Successfully hosted the 2023 NHL All-Star Game.
- Witnessed the Florida Panthers clinch the Stanley Cup on home ice during Games 1, 2, 5, and 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
- The Panthers again clinched the Stanley Cup in Games 3, 4, and 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.[20]
Latin & Hispanic Entertainment
Recognizing the burgeoning Latin and Hispanic population in South Florida, the arena has significantly expanded its programming to cater to this vibrant market, drawing audiences from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.[21]
- Hosted the Latin Billboard Music Awards in 2020 and the Latin American Music Awards in 2021.
- Regularly features popular events like Amor A La Musica (2022, 2023) and Uforia Mix Live (2022).
- Marco Antonio Solรญs set and then broke his own Latin gross revenue record in April 2022 and April 2023.
- Juan Luis Guerra established new Latin ticket sales and gross records with a sold-out show in April 2023.[22]
- Recent sold-out concerts include Peso Pluma (June 2023) and a strong performance by Santa Fe Klan (July 2023).
- Future Latin programming includes performances by renowned artists such as Luis Miguel and Pepe Aguilar.
Combat Sports & Wrestling
The arena has a rich history of hosting high-energy combat sports and professional wrestling events:
- Boxing & MMA:
- EliteXC: Heat (October 4, 2008), featuring Seth Petruzelli vs. Kimbo Slice.
- A lightweight bout between Nate Campbell and Ali Funeka (February 15, 2009).
- Strikeforce: Miami (January 30, 2010), marking Strikeforce MMA's debut at the venue.[23]
- UFC on FX 3 (June 8, 2012), the first UFC event held at the arena.[24]
- UFC Fight Night: Jacarรฉ vs. Hermansson (April 27, 2019), marking UFC's return.
- An exhibition boxing match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and John Gotti III (June 11, 2023).[25]
- Professional Wrestling:
- Hosted multiple WCW and WWF/WWE events, including WCW Monday Nitro (1998), WWF Raw Is War (1999, 2000), WCW Bash At The Beach (1999), and various WWE Raw and SmackDown shows through 2024.
- Also hosted AEW Dynamite in April 2023.
Other Notable Gatherings
Beyond sports and music, Amerant Bank Arena has served as a significant venue for political rallies, memorials, and other public events:
- Political Rallies:
- Senator Barack Obama held rallies during his 2008 presidential primary and general campaigns.
- President Donald Trump held campaign rallies in August 2016 and November 2019.
- Community & Memorial Events:
- Bull Riding:
- The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series visited in September 2005, with Kody Lostroh emerging victorious.
- Since 2024, the Florida Freedom PBR bull riding team hosts an annual event at the arena.
Culinary & Retail Offerings
Plaza Level Delights
The Plaza Level of Amerant Bank Arena offers a diverse array of food and beverage options to enhance the event experience:
- Coca-Cola Food Courts: Three distinct food courts provide a variety of classic arena fare and refreshing beverages.
- Pantherland Retail: The official retail outlet for Florida Panthers merchandise, allowing fans to show their team spirit.
- VooDoo Ranger Craft Beer & Bar: A dedicated spot for craft beer enthusiasts.
- Cats Cantina: Offering a taste of Latin-inspired cuisine.
- Funky Buddha Tap Room: Featuring local craft brews.
- Jameson Crossbar: A premium bar experience.
- Patron Patio & Yuengling Flight Deck & Bar: Providing outdoor seating and additional beverage options.[29]
Mezzanine Level Options
The Mezzanine Level ensures that guests throughout the arena have convenient access to refreshments:
- Food Courts: Three additional food courts are available, offering a range of choices.
- Points of Purchase Kiosks: Two kiosks provide quick and easy access to snacks and drinks, minimizing wait times.[2]
Resident Teams & Past Occupants
Current Anchor Tenant
The undisputed primary tenant of Amerant Bank Arena is the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Since 1998, the arena has been their home ice, witnessing countless games, rivalries, and significant milestones, including their recent Stanley Cup victories.[5]
Former Sporting Residents
Over the years, Amerant Bank Arena has also hosted several other professional sports teams, showcasing its versatility as a multi-sport venue:
- Florida ThunderCats: (National Professional Soccer League - NPSL) from 1998โ1999.
- Florida Bobcats: (Arena Football League - AFL) from 1999โ2001.
- Florida Pit Bulls: (American Basketball Association - ABA) from 2005โ2006.
- Miami Caliente: (Lingerie Football League - LFL) from 2009โ2010.
- Florida Freedom: (Professional Bull Riders - PBR) from 2024โpresent, establishing a new tradition of bull riding events.
The arena also regularly hosts the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic every December, a collegiate basketball event associated with the namesake college football game.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not official venue information. The details provided regarding Amerant Bank Arena, its events, capacities, and amenities are for general knowledge and historical context. For the most current and accurate information, including event schedules, ticket sales, and venue policies, please refer to the official Amerant Bank Arena website or contact the venue directly. Event details, team affiliations, and facility features are subject to change without notice.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.