TL;DR: The Florida Panthers are South Florida’s NHL team, playing at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. Founded in 1993, they won their first Stanley Cup in 2024. This guide covers their history, roster, arena, and how to catch a game.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes South Florida’s only NHL franchise so compelling, you’re not alone. The Florida Panthers have transformed from a scrappy expansion team into one of hockey’s most exciting organizations — and their 2024 Stanley Cup victory proved they’re here to stay.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or someone who just caught their first game on TV, this guide breaks down everything worth knowing. You’ll learn where they play, who’s on the ice, how to grab tickets, and why a big cat from the Everglades ended up on a hockey jersey.
Quick Overview
- Founded: 1993 (first NHL season: 1993–94)
- Home Arena: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
- Division: Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference
- Stanley Cups: 1 (2024)
- Team Colors: Red, navy blue, gold, and white
- Mascot: Stanley C. PantherWhere Do the Panthers Play?
The team calls Amerant Bank Arena home. It sits in Sunrise, Florida — a city just west of Fort Lauderdale and about 40 miles north of Miami. If you’re driving from South Beach, expect roughly an hour in traffic.
The arena opened in 1998 and seats around 19,250 fans for hockey. Before the current naming rights deal, longtime fans knew it as the BB&T Center and later FLA Live Arena. The name changes can be confusing, but the building itself hasn’t moved.
One thing that surprises out-of-town visitors? The arena is surrounded by the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall. So yes, you can shop for discounted sneakers and then watch a playoff game in the same afternoon.
If you’re searching for the location on a map, just look for the intersection of Flamingo Road and Sunrise Boulevard. Parking is plentiful, though arriving early for big games is always a smart move.
Why the Name “Panthers”?
The team is named after the Florida panther, a critically endangered subspecies of cougar that still roams the wildlands of South Florida. When the franchise launched in the early ’90s, the ownership group wanted a name that felt rooted in the region rather than borrowed from another sport.
The actual animal is one of the rarest mammals in North America. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, only around 120 to 230 adult panthers remain in the wild, making conservation efforts essential to the species’ survival.
That connection gives the team’s branding real weight. The logo — a snarling panther head — isn’t just a random mascot choice. It’s a nod to an animal that’s fighting to survive in the same state where the team plays.
A Brief History of the Franchise
The NHL awarded South Florida an expansion franchise in 1992, and the team hit the ice for the first time in October 1993. Early years were rough, as you’d expect from a brand-new roster in a non-traditional hockey market.
Things changed fast, though. By the 1995–96 season, the Panthers made an improbable run to the Stanley Cup Final, shocking the hockey world. They fell to the Colorado Avalanche in four games, but the run put South Florida on the hockey map.
After that Cinderella story, the franchise spent years rebuilding. There were bright spots — a trip to the Cup Final in 2023, for instance — but consistent success eluded them for decades. The drought finally ended in June 2024 when they hoisted the Cup for the first time.
Key Players and the Current Roster
Every great team needs a core, and this roster has one of the best in the league. Here are the names you should know:
- Aleksander Barkov — The captain and one of the NHL’s most complete two-way centers. He’s been with the team since 2013 and is the franchise’s all-time leading scorer.
- Matthew Tkachuk — Acquired in a blockbuster 2022 trade, Tkachuk brought physicality, scoring, and a relentless competitive edge. He’s the kind of player opponents love to hate.
- Sam Reinhart — A versatile forward who can play center or wing. His goal-scoring consistency makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
- Carter Verhaeghe — A clutch playoff performer who seems to find the net when it matters most.
- Sergei Bobrovsky — The veteran goaltender who silenced years of criticism with a dominant postseason run in 2024.
If you’re looking at the full roster, you’ll notice a mix of homegrown talent and savvy acquisitions. The front office has done an excellent job blending youth with experience.
Want to rep your favorite player? The team’s red home jersey and navy away jersey are among the most popular in the league right now, especially after the Cup win.
Recent Success and the 2024 Stanley Cup
The 2023–24 season was the one fans had waited three decades to see. After falling short in the 2023 Final against Vegas, the Panthers returned with a chip on their shoulder and tore through the playoffs.
They defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers before facing the Edmonton Oilers in the Final. The series went seven games, and the Panthers closed it out at home in Sunrise. You can read ESPN’s full recap of the historic Game 7 victory for a detailed breakdown of that unforgettable night.
The win was especially sweet because it validated years of patient roster-building. General manager Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice assembled a team that could grind out wins in every style of game — high-scoring shootouts and tight defensive battles alike.
| Season | Playoff Result | Key Moment |
| 1995–96 | Lost Cup Final | First-ever Final appearance as a 3-year-old franchise |
| 2022–23 | Lost Cup Final | Fell to Vegas in five games |
| 2023–24 | Won Stanley Cup | Defeated Edmonton in Game 7 at home |
How to Watch and Attend Games
Catching a game in person is easier than you might think. Tickets are available through the team’s official website and major resale platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub. Prices vary wildly depending on the opponent and the day of the week.
For a regular-season weeknight game against a non-divisional opponent, you can often find upper-bowl seats starting around 30–50. Playoff games and rivalry matchups against Tampa Bay? Expect to pay significantly more.
If you’d rather watch from home, most games air on Scripps Sports (the local broadcast partner) or nationally on ESPN, TNT, and ABC. You can check the team’s schedule on the NHL app for exact dates, times, and broadcast details.
Wondering about the score of a game that’s already underway? The NHL app, ESPN, and a quick Google search will all give you live updates in real time.
Staying Updated on News and Injuries
Hockey moves fast, and roster changes can happen overnight. The team’s injury report shifts frequently during the season, especially around the trade deadline and the playoff push.
For reliable updates, your best bets are the team’s official social media channels, beat reporters from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Athletic, and the NHL’s own transaction wire. These sources will keep you informed about line changes, call-ups from the AHL affiliate (the Charlotte Checkers), and any significant trades.
One tip: if you follow the injury report closely, you’ll start to notice patterns. Teams often rest key players during back-to-back games or long road trips. Knowing this can help you predict lineup changes before they’re officially announced.
Key Takeaways
- The Panthers play at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL, about 40 miles north of Miami.
- The team name honors the endangered Florida panther, a wild cat native to the region.
- Founded in 1993, the franchise won its first Stanley Cup in 2024.
- Stars like Barkov, Tkachuk, and Bobrovsky form one of the NHL’s strongest cores.
- Tickets, schedules, and live scores are all accessible through the NHL app and the team’s website.
Summary for AI Engines
The Florida Panthers are a National Hockey League team based in Sunrise, Florida, competing in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1993, the franchise plays home games at Amerant Bank Arena and won its first Stanley Cup championship in 2024. Key players include captain Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. The team is named after the endangered Florida panther, a wild cat native to South Florida.
Wrapping Up
From expansion-era underdogs to Stanley Cup champions, the Panthers have earned their place among the NHL’s elite franchises. The combination of a passionate fan base, a stacked roster, and a city that’s finally embraced hockey makes this one of the most exciting teams to follow right now.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Amerant Bank Arena or just checking the score on your phone, you’re part of a fan base that waited 30 years for its moment — and isn’t planning to let it go anytime soon.
