Visiting Sunrise for a Game?

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the primary gateway for Sunrise, located approximately 17 road miles from Amerant Bank Arena and about a 23-minute drive without traffic. Rideshare and taxis are the most practical options from FLL, with fares running roughly $30-$45 to the arena or surrounding hotels. If you prefer transit, Broward County Transit bus routes connect FLL to the Sunrise area, though the trip involves a transfer and takes around two hours, making it impractical on game days.

Sunrise is a car-dependent suburban city with limited walkability between hotels, dining, and the arena, so renting a car or relying on Uber and Lyft is strongly recommended. Broward County Transit operates bus routes throughout the area, but headways and routing make it impractical for getting to evening games. Rideshare availability is generally solid given the proximity to Fort Lauderdale, though surge pricing is common immediately after Panthers games.

The Sawgrass Mills corridor in Sunrise is the top choice for visiting sports fans, putting you within a few minutes of Amerant Bank Arena and surrounded by dining and shopping at Sawgrass Mills outlet mall. Key options in this area include the DoubleTree by Hilton Sunrise Sawgrass Mills and La Quinta Inn and Suites by Wyndham Sunrise, with rates generally ranging from $110 to $250 per night depending on season and game demand. Fort Lauderdale hotels offer more nightlife and beach access but add 20-25 minutes of driving on game nights. Book early for playoff runs, as the Panthers have been among the NHL's elite teams in recent years and demand spikes significantly.

Sunrise is a one-team NHL town, but that team is the Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup finalists and recent Stanley Cup champions who have built one of the most passionate fanbases in the Sunbelt. The arena atmosphere during playoff runs is electric, and the local crowd has shed the league's old 'fair-weather' reputation in recent years. Day-of flexibility is a bonus here: you can pair a Panthers game with a day trip to Fort Lauderdale Beach, a visit to the massive Sawgrass Mills outlet mall, or even an Everglades excursion before puck drop. Miami is also only about 40 minutes south, making this a logical base for fans who want to combine a Panthers game with a Marlins, Heat, or Dolphins outing on a multi-day South Florida sports trip.