📣
Crowd RitualIconic
Plastic Rat Toss
After Panthers home victories, fans throw hundreds or thousands of plastic rats onto the ice, producing one of the NHL's most distinctive postgame scenes.
6.2Passport Score
1998Opened
19,000Capacity
IndoorRoof
Artificial IceSurface
21Check-ins
The basics
About Amerant Bank Arena
South Florida arena known for Panthers hockey and major touring concerts.
- Type
- arena
- Sports
- Hockey
- Nicknames
- The Vault, Sunrise
- Location
- Sunrise, FL
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Status
- active
FormerlyNational Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center, BankAtlantic Center, BB&T Center, FLA Live ArenaNational Car Rental CenterOffice Depot CenterBankAtlantic CenterBB&T CenterFLA Live Arena
Rated by fans
How fans rate it
6.2Passport Score
12 fan ratings · 21 check-ins
Atmosphere7.3
Attractions6.0
Access6.7
Concessions6.5
Neighborhood3.3
Facility7.4
Don’t miss
Landmarks, traditions & experiences
📣
Crowd RitualIconic
The "Rat Trick" Story
The rat tradition commemorates Scott Mellanby killing a locker-room rat with his stick before scoring two goals in Florida's 1995–96 home opener—a performance teammates nicknamed the "rat trick."
📣
Crowd ChantIconic
"Vamos Gatos" Chant
Many Panthers supporters use the bilingual "Vamos Gatos!"—meaning "Let's go Cats"—as a South Florida-specific rallying cry for the team.
🎵
Goal SongIconic
"Sweetness" Goal Celebration
Panthers goals are celebrated with "Sweetness" by Jimmy Eat World, with fans shouting and singing along to the chorus after the goal horn.
📜
Historic displayIconic
1996 Stanley Cup Run
1996 Stanley Cup run — the Year of the Rat and the Panthers' first Final appearance.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Aleksander Barkov Legacy
Aleksander Barkov — captain and the face of back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Battle of Florida History
Battle of Florida history — Panthers vs Lightning and Sunshine State supremacy.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Franchise Timeline
Complete franchise timeline from 1993 expansion to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Greatest Panthers Moments
The greatest moments in Panthers history — from the Rat Trick to back-to-back Cups.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Matthew Tkachuk Era
Matthew Tkachuk era — playoff warrior and engine of the championship runs.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Modern Dynasty Era
Modern dynasty era — Barkov, Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, and championship hockey in Sunrise.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Olli Jokinen Legacy
Olli Jokinen — franchise scoring leader of the early Panthers era.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Panthers Renaissance
Panthers renaissance — from overlooked market to one of hockey's premier destinations.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Panthers vs Lightning Rivalry
Panthers vs Lightning rivalry — the Battle of Florida and back-to-back Cup Final meetings.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Pavel Bure Legacy
Pavel Bure — the Russian Rocket and the most electrifying Panther ever.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Playoff History
Panthers playoff history — 1996, 2023 Final, and back-to-back championships.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Rat Trick History
Rat Trick history — Scott Mellanby, the 1996 run, and plastic rats on the ice.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Roberto Luongo Legacy
Roberto Luongo — franchise goaltender and Hall of Fame icon in Sunrise.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Sergei Bobrovsky Legacy
Sergei Bobrovsky — Vezina Trophy winner and backbone of the Cup runs.
📜
Historic displayIconic
South Florida Hockey Growth
South Florida hockey growth — from expansion to championship destination.
🎭
MascotIconic
Stanley C. Panther
Stanley C. Panther — the beloved Panthers mascot and symbol of Rats on the Ice.
⭐
Victory CelebrationIconic
Rat Trick Celebrations
Rat Trick celebrations — plastic rats and Sweetness after every Panthers win.
⭐
Victory CelebrationIconic
Championship Celebrations
Championship celebrations honoring the Panthers' 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cups.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Amerant Bank Arena
Your first time walking into Amerant Bank Arena — the Rat Trick and championship pride.
⭐
TourIconic
Amerant Bank Arena Tour
Behind-the-scenes Amerant Bank Arena tour — Hall of Fame, suites, and ice.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Barkov Exhibit
Visit the Barkov exhibit — captain and face of back-to-back Stanley Cup champions.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Barkov Tribute Night
Attend a Barkov tribute night — honoring the captain in Sunrise.
⚔️
Rivalry GameIconic
Battle of Florida
Experience the Battle of Florida — Sunshine State rivalry at full intensity.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Championship Anniversary Night
Attend a championship anniversary night — reliving 2024 or 2025 in Sunrise.
🎤
Special EventIconic
One of Hockey's Fastest Growing Fanbases
Experience one of hockey's fastest growing fanbases — Rats on the Ice in Sunrise.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Panthers Playoff Run
Experience a Panthers playoff run — championship atmosphere and the Rat Trick in April.
⚔️
Rivalry GameIconic
Panthers vs Bruins
Playoff rivalry intensity when Boston visits Sunrise.
⚔️
Rivalry GameIconic
Panthers vs Lightning
The Battle of Florida when Tampa Bay visits Amerant Bank Arena.
⚔️
Rivalry GameIconic
Panthers vs Maple Leafs
Eastern Conference battles when Toronto visits Amerant Bank Arena.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Playoff Hockey in South Florida
Experience playoff hockey in South Florida — one of the NHL's loudest modern atmospheres.
⭐
Victory CelebrationIconic
Rat Celebration
Stay through a Rat celebration — plastic rats and Sweetness after a Panthers win.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Rat Trick Exhibit
Visit the Rat Trick exhibit — the Year of the Rat and South Florida's iconic tradition.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Red Out Crowd
Experience a Red Out crowd — the entire arena dressed in Panthers red for playoff hockey.
🎤
Entertainment DistrictIconic
Sawgrass Mills
Visit Sawgrass Mills before the game — one of America's largest malls minutes from the arena.
🏆
Championship BannersIconic
Stanley Cup
Visit the Stanley Cup display — 2024 and 2025 back-to-back championships.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Stanley Cup Final Game
Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena — the pinnacle of hockey in South Florida.
🎵
Goal SongIconic
Sweetness
Experience Sweetness after a win — Flo Rida's anthem and the Rat Trick in Sunrise.
📣
Crowd RitualIconic
Throw a Plastic Rat
Throw a plastic rat after a win — the Rat Trick live in Sunrise.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Tkachuk Tribute Event
Attend a Tkachuk tribute event — honoring the playoff warrior in Sunrise.
📜
Historic displayIconic
Florida Hockey Evolution
Florida hockey evolution — the Battle of Florida and statewide hockey growth.
⭐
Live PerformanceIconic
Panthers Ice Dancers
Panthers Ice Dancers performances energizing the crowd between periods.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Military Appreciation Nights
Military appreciation nights honoring service members in South Florida.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Tailgate Events
Tailgate events in the plaza before Panthers hockey in Sunrise.
🎤
Special EventIconic
Community Nights
Community nights celebrating South Florida and Panthers hockey culture.
🏛️
Architecture
Panthers Plaza
The entrance area creates a fan gathering space.
🏛️
Architecture
Premium Fan Areas
Modern hospitality spaces enhance the experience.
🏛️
Architecture
South Florida Waterfront Region
The arena represents the Panthers' South Florida identity.
📜
History
1996 Stanley Cup Final
Highlights franchise history.
📜
History
2023 Stanley Cup Final
Celebrates the Panthers' breakthrough era.
📜
History
Alexander Barkov
Honors the championship captain.
📜
History
Florida Panthers Retired Numbers
Honors franchise legends.
📜
History
Panthers Legends
Honors franchise icons.
📜
History
Roberto Luongo
Celebrates the Hall of Fame goaltender.
⭐
Experience
Florida Panthers Stadium Tours
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
⭐
Experience
Goal Horn
The Panthers scoring celebration.
⭐
Experience
Panthers Store
Official merchandise destination.
⭐
Experience
Redline Lady
The famous in-game entertainment experience.
⭐
Experience
Sir Purr
The mascot experience.
⭐
Experience
South Florida Hockey Culture
Combines NHL hockey with the Florida lifestyle.
📜
Displays
Rat Trick Display
Display on the rat trick — the plastic-rat celebration born when a rat ran on the ice in 1996.
📜
Displays
Panthers Hall of Fame
Honors Panthers players, coaches, and the club’s two Stanley Cup teams.
📜
Displays
Stanley Cup Exhibit
Exhibit celebrating the Panthers’ 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup championships.
📜
Displays
South Florida Hockey Wall
Wall displays on hockey’s growth in South Florida since the 1993 expansion.
📜
Displays
Legacy Displays
Displays tracing Panthers history from the 1996 Cup Final through the recent dynasty.
⭐
Signature
Florida Plaza
Plaza celebrating Florida hockey outside Amerant Bank Arena.
📜
Displays
Victory Rats Exhibit
Exhibit on the victory-rat tradition — thousands of plastic rats after Panthers wins.
🎤
Special Event
Theme Nights
Special theme nights throughout the Panthers season at Amerant Bank Arena.
Through the years
History
Names
- 1998-2002National Car Rental Center
- 2002-2005Office Depot Center
- 2005-2012BankAtlantic Center
- 2012-2021BB&T Center
- 2021-2023FLA Live Arena
- 2023-presentAmerant Bank Arena
- Former nameNational Car Rental Center
- Former nameOffice Depot Center
- Former nameBankAtlantic Center
- Former nameBB&T Center
- Former nameFLA Live Arena
Home teams
- PresentFlorida PanthersNHL
Getting there
Plan your visit
Game Day in the app
Live crowd-updated map with parking prices, gates, bars and restrooms, plus bag policy and tailgate planning.
Get the appIn their words
Fan reviews
4.92026-06
Rating only
6.72026-06
Rating only
5.12026-08
Rating only
5.72026-07 · sports
Rating only
6.62026-10
Rating only
7.32026-07 · sports
Rating only
6.72026-06
Rating only
6.62026-06
Rating only
6.12026-07
Rating only
9.92026-08
Rating only
3.12026-06
Rating only
6.62026-10 · sports
Rating only
Been to Amerant Bank Arena?
Check in, add it to your passport, and keep the memory with photos, your ticket stub and your rating.