Game Weekend
Amerant Bank Arena’s main entrance lit red at night, with its sign, the Florida Panthers logo and the Publix Plaza forecourt in front

Florida Panthers

Amerant Bank Arena

Sunrise, Florida

A Panthers night at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.

Plan my tripJust find a hotel

The local take

A suburban arena across the street from Sawgrass Mills in western Broward County, with sports bars and mall restaurants close by and Fort Lauderdale’s Las Olas Boulevard a drive east.

The Panthers play 42 home games in 2026–27. Most weeknight games start at 7 p.m. and most Saturday games at 6 p.m., with a few afternoon puck drops. Doors open 60 minutes before Panthers games, and the arena is cashless with no re-entry. Whether it’s a game night or a weekend, plan a drive or a rideshare each way: the arena’s directions cover cars, rideshare and walking in from Gate 6, not public transit.

Amerant Bank Arena

Your Sunrise weekend

Pick your game, then your hotel, food and things to do, or let a quick start choose them with you.

Which game are you going to?

Florida Panthers

Exploring the weekend before choosing a game. Dates stay open.

Find your places.

Find your stay, your local pub, and everything around the game.

Each one picks a hotel and food that work together. Change anything below.

My weekend

7 hotels

Sunrise places

HotelSuggested

Sunrise and Sawgrass Mills · 2.4 mi from the arena

The third hotel on the arena’s What’s Around page, with free parking and free breakfast near Sawgrass Mills.

Sunrise is the area closest to the arena in this guide: La Quinta Sunrise is one of the three hotels on the arena’s own What’s Around list, parking and breakfast at the hotel are free, and The Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil are at Sawgrass Mills, across the street from the arena.

  • Free parking
  • Free breakfast
  • 15 miles from FLL
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: It’s 15 miles from FLL, and the arena is a short drive or rideshare away, not a walk. There’s no large-vehicle parking.

On game day: Sunrise stay: park in the A or D Lot at the gate, or take a rideshare to the Gate 3 drop-off at the North Pedestrian Walkway.

13600 NW 2nd Street, Sunrise, FL 33325

2.4 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham SunriseOfficial details for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Sunrise
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Hotel

Sunrise and Sawgrass Mills · 0.71 mi from the arena

One of three hotels the arena lists on its What’s Around page, on Sawgrass Mills Circle by the mall’s restaurants.

  • Fees not published here
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Marriott’s page didn’t load for review, so parking, breakfast and fees aren’t listed here; check them with the hotel. It’s a short ride to the arena, not a published walk.

On game day: Sunrise stay: park in the A or D Lot at the gate, or take a rideshare to the Gate 3 drop-off at the North Pedestrian Walkway.

1870 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise, FL 33323

0.71 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for AC Hotel by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass MillsOfficial details for AC Hotel by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills
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Hotel

Sunrise and Sawgrass Mills · 0.95 mi from the arena

Another of the three hotels on the arena’s What’s Around page, on Sunrise Boulevard near Sawgrass Mills.

  • Fees not published here
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Hilton’s page didn’t load for review, so parking, breakfast and shuttle details aren’t listed here; check them with the hotel. Plan a short ride to the arena.

On game day: Sunrise stay: park in the A or D Lot at the gate, or take a rideshare to the Gate 3 drop-off at the North Pedestrian Walkway.

13400 West Sunrise Boulevard, Sunrise, FL 33323

0.95 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sunrise – Sawgrass MillsOfficial details for DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sunrise – Sawgrass Mills
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Plantation, off I-595 · 5.2 mi from the arena

A Plantation hotel with free parking and free breakfast, 11 miles from FLL and close to I-595.

  • Free parking
  • Free breakfast
  • 11 miles from FLL
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: No arena or airport shuttle is listed, so arrange your own ride to the game.

On game day: Plantation stay: take I-595 west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and follow Panther Parkway to your lot.

7901 SW 6th Street, Plantation, FL 33324

5.2 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Plantation at SW 6th StOfficial details for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Plantation at SW 6th St
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Plantation, off I-595 · 5.6 mi from the arena

A second Plantation option on Peters Road, with free breakfast, 11 miles from FLL.

  • Free breakfast
  • 11 miles from FLL
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: No arena or airport shuttle is listed, and the parking terms weren’t published on the page reviewed. Arrange your own ride to the game.

On game day: Plantation stay: take I-595 west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and follow Panther Parkway to your lot.

8101 Peters Road, Plantation, FL 33324

5.6 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale PlantationOfficial details for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale Plantation
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Las Olas and downtown Fort Lauderdale · 12.0 mi from the arena

A hotel on Las Olas Boulevard with Wild Sea, the Golden Lyon Vintage Pub, Preston’s, New River Cafe & Bakery and the Boathouse on site, so the night before is covered without leaving the hotel.

  • Fees not published here
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Along with the airport hotel, it’s one of the two farthest bases from the arena. Parking, fees and breakfast weren’t published on the pages reviewed, so check them with the hotel.

On game day: Las Olas stay: set your rideshare to the arena’s Gate 3 entrance, or drive west on I-595 to Exit 1 and park at the gate.

620 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

12.0 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Riverside HotelOfficial details for Riverside Hotel
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

FLL airport and Hollywood · 13.2 mi from the arena

An airport hotel with a free FLL shuttle and complimentary breakfast, for an early flight after the game.

  • Free FLL shuttle
  • Free breakfast
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: The shuttle serves the airport, not the arena, and with the Las Olas area it’s one of the two longest trips to the game in this guide. Parking terms weren’t published on the page reviewed.

On game day: Airport stay: take I-95 to I-595, head west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and follow Panther Parkway to the arena.

2620 North 26th Avenue, Hollywood, FL 33020

13.2 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale AirportOfficial details for La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ft. Lauderdale Airport
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.

Your weekend

2 adults, 1 room
Stay
Not chosen
Food
None chosen
Do

Choose a hotel first

Travel & full itinerary

The full plan, stop by stop

2 adults · 1 room

Choose a hotel to plan travel.

Your home base

No hotel chosen yet

Your hotel sets the area, both arena journeys and the travel between your stops.

Nothing is in your plan until you choose it. A quick start above the list can choose one for you.

Make time for a good meal

Food for the weekend

Compare and choose food

No food picks yet. Add places in the comparison above when you’re ready.

Check opening hours for your dates and reserve directly where needed.

The reason for the trip

Amerant Bank Arena

Pick your game when you’re ready.

Nights open · 2 adults, 1 room

A different hotel?

Your arena travel updates to match. Any food you picked yourself stays.

Get to know the areas

Sunrise and Sawgrass MillsThe shortest trip to the arena on a game night

Stay in the arena’s own suburb, by the mall the arena calls “across the street”, for the shortest trip to the game.

Sawgrass Mills’ shops and chain restaurants, hotels and sports bars along the main roads

To the arena
Drive to the A Lot (Gates 2 or 3) or the D Lot (Gates 1 or 7), or set your rideshare to the Gate 3 entrance; drivers drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway.
After the game
Walk back to your lot, or meet your rideshare at the northern end of the North Pedestrian Walkway; drivers enter at Gate 3 and leave by Gate 2.
The tradeoff
It’s a suburban strip of hotels, parking lots and shopping plazas rather than a walkable downtown. The arena publishes no walking route from the hotels, so plan a short drive or a rideshare.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
Plantation, off I-595A base off I-595 with free breakfast

Stay in the next suburb east, with free breakfast at the hotels and I-595 straight to the arena exit.

Hotels off I-595 on Peters Road and SW 6th Street, minutes from shopping at Westfield Broward and The Fountains

To the arena
Take I-595 west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and head north. 136th Ave. becomes Panther Parkway, and the arena is one mile north of Sunrise Boulevard on the left.
After the game
Walk back to your lot and reverse the route to I-595 east.
The tradeoff
It’s a car-based suburb with no confirmed transit link to the arena, so you drive or take a rideshare each way.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
Las Olas and downtown Fort LauderdaleA livelier base with restaurants and late bars

Stay on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale for a game night or a weekend, and ride west to the game.

Las Olas Boulevard’s restaurants and bars, the Riverside Hotel and the New River

To the arena
Take a rideshare to Gate 3, where drivers drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway, or drive west on I-595 to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and follow Panther Parkway.
After the game
Meet your rideshare at the northern end of the North Pedestrian Walkway, or walk back to your lot and drive east on I-595.
The tradeoff
Along with the airport area, it’s one of the two farthest bases from the arena, with no confirmed transit option, so budget time and money for a rideshare both ways after a weeknight game.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
FLL airport and HollywoodAn early flight home

Stay by Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a free airport shuttle, and drive north to the game.

An airport hotel corridor off I-95 in Hollywood, with the Rustic Inn crab house near FLL

To the arena
Take I-95 to I-595 and continue west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.). Head north; 136th Ave. becomes Panther Parkway and the arena is on the left.
After the game
Walk back to your lot and reverse the route, or meet your rideshare at the North Pedestrian Walkway.
The tradeoff
The hotel shuttle serves the airport only. This is a long trip to the arena, by car or rideshare, on a game night.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.

Upcoming games at Amerant Bank Arena

Visiting with the away team? Each game has its own page.

To the game and back

Choose a route from the area you’re staying in.

From Sawgrass Mills by carSunrise and Sawgrass Millsdrive
Getting there
Drive the short way to the arena and pay at the gate: A Lot and D Lot general parking is $40–$50 plus tax for Panthers games. Use Gate 2 or 3 for the A Lot and Gate 1 or 7 for the D Lot. Pre-paid parking is sold ahead for Panthers games.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and drive out.

Parking is card-only, like everything at the arena, and pricing varies by event. The arena says lots open about two hours before the scheduled start, and doors open only 60 minutes before Panthers games.

Route information
From Sawgrass Mills by rideshareSunrise and Sawgrass Millsrideshare
Getting there
Set your drop-off to the arena’s Gate 3 rideshare entrance. Drivers drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance and leave by Gate 2.
Getting back
After the game, rideshare drivers enter at Gate 3 and pick up at the northern end of the North Pedestrian Walkway.

Prices and waits after the game are set by the app. The arena publishes the pickup point but no pickup times.

Route information
From Plantation on I-595Plantation, off I-595drive
Getting there
Take I-595 west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.) and head north. 136th Ave. becomes Panther Parkway, and the arena is one mile north of Sunrise Boulevard on the left. Park in the A or D Lot for $40–$50 plus tax at the gate for Panthers games.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and take I-595 east.

Parking is card-only and prices can change. For club parking, the arena says to keep to the center lanes on Panther Parkway past Gate 7, then enter at Gate 6.

Route information
From Las Olas by rideshareLas Olas and downtown Fort Lauderdalerideshare
Getting there
Take a rideshare west to the arena’s Gate 3 entrance. Drivers drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance.
Getting back
Meet your rideshare at the northern end of the North Pedestrian Walkway; drivers enter at Gate 3 and leave by Gate 2.

Along with the ride from the airport hotel, it’s one of the two longest rides in this guide, and prices after the game are set by the app. No transit route to the arena is listed here.

Route information
From Las Olas by carLas Olas and downtown Fort Lauderdaledrive
Getting there
Drive to I-595 and head west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.), then north on Panther Parkway to the arena. Park in the A or D Lot for $40–$50 plus tax at the gate for Panthers games.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and drive east on I-595.

Parking is card-only and prices can change. Louie Bossi’s offers valet on Las Olas; the Riverside Hotel’s parking terms weren’t published on the pages reviewed.

Route information
From FLL airport by carFLL airport and Hollywooddrive
Getting there
Take I-95 to I-595 and continue west to Exit 1 (136th Ave.). Head north; 136th Ave. becomes Panther Parkway and the arena is one mile north of Sunrise Boulevard on the left. Park in the A or D Lot for $40–$50 plus tax at the gate for Panthers games.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and reverse the route to I-95.

The hotel’s shuttle runs to the airport only. Parking is card-only and prices can change.

Route information

At Amerant Bank Arena

Bags

No backpacks, backpack purses, cinch bags or sling bags. Small clutches of 4 × 6 × 1.5 inches and under are allowed. All bags, including medical and parenting bags, can be searched or x-rayed. Bag lockers are outside the main entrance at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs.

Arena information
Doors and pregame — Panthers

Doors generally open 60 minutes before Panthers games. The Funky Buddha Brewery Tap Room, inside the front doors, opens one hour before puck drop, and the Pantherland team store in the main lobby opens an hour before game time and stays open 30 minutes after.

Arena information
Cashless, with no re-entry

The arena is completely cashless, including parking and concessions; bring a card. All exits are final: re-entry isn’t allowed except in an emergency.

Arena information
Parking at the gate — Panthers

For Panthers games, A Lot and D Lot general parking is $40–$50 plus tax at the gate, and pre-paid parking is sold ahead. Use Gate 2 or 3 for the A Lot and Gate 1 or 7 for the D Lot. Prices can change.

Arena information
Rideshare and walking in

Rideshare drivers use Gate 3 and drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway; after the game, pickups are at the walkway’s northern end. Pedestrians enter the grounds at Gate 6 and follow the sidewalk to the stairs up to the front of the arena.

Arena information
Accessibility

Accessible parking is on the north and south sides of the arena for every event, first come, first served. Elevators outside sections 104, 131, 304 and 331 serve guests with disabilities. For ADA questions call (954) 835-7000; ASL interpreters need two weeks’ notice.

Arena information

Find your game & tickets

Use the team schedule for home dates and puck drop times.

Florida Panthers schedule

Useful things to know

Can I bring a bag to Amerant Bank Arena?

Only a small clutch or purse of 4 × 6 × 1.5 inches or less, plus medically necessary and diaper bags. Backpacks, cinch bags and sling bags aren’t allowed; lockers are at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs.

Can I leave and come back in during the game?

No. All exits are final, and re-entry is only allowed in an emergency.

Can I take a bus to the arena?

This guide doesn’t list a bus route. The arena’s directions page covers driving, parking, rideshare and walking in from Gate 6, but not public transit, so check Broward County Transit before relying on a bus, especially for the ride back.

Do young children need a ticket, and can I bring a stroller?

Children under two must sit on the lap of a ticketed parent or guardian. Strollers aren’t allowed in the seating area unless you’re in the Corona Beach House, the Amerant Vault or a suite.

Can I bring an umbrella?

Yes. Umbrellas of a reasonable size are allowed for all Panthers home games and most other events.

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