How Much Is Parking at Amerant Bank Arena?
Parking at Amerant Bank Arena for Florida Panthers games ranges from $35 in general lots up to $60 or more for valet, depending on the lot tier and the game’s demand.
General parking in A Lot and D Lot is priced at approximately $40 plus tax at the gate for most Panthers games. Mid-tier club lots — B Lot, C Lot, and F Lot — run around $50 plus tax. Valet parking is available at $60 plus tax. Third-party resale platforms like Vivid Seats and SeatGeek list parking passes that can range from $27 to $75 or more depending on opponent popularity, day of week, and how far in advance you buy.
Prices are not fixed across every event. A marquee rivalry game or playoff push night will push lot prices toward the higher end of the range, while a weeknight game against a lower-profile opponent may land closer to the base rate. Prepaid parking purchased in advance through the Panthers website or aggregators like SpotHero often saves money compared to paying at the gate. All arena parking is cashless — bring a credit or debit card.
Amerant Bank Arena Parking Lots and Maps
Amerant Bank Arena operates over 7,200 on-site parking spaces across multiple named lots, with 200 of those spaces enclosed in a garage structure.
Here is the breakdown of each lot and its gate access:
– A Lot (General): Enter via Gates 2, 3, or 5. Priced at approximately $40 plus tax. – D Lot (General): Enter via Gates 1 or 7. Priced at approximately $40 plus tax at most games, with some sources listing $35 plus tax for lower-demand games. – B Lot, C Lot, F Lot (Club): Enter via Gates 2 or 5. Priced at approximately $50 plus tax. – Parking Garage: Enter via Gates 1, 5, or 6. Enclosed and closer to the arena’s main entrance. – Amerant Vault Parking: Enter via Gates 1, 2, or 5. A premium close-in option. – Lexus Lot: Complimentary parking for Lexus vehicle owners. – D2 Lot: Reserved for buses and large RVs, accessed via Gates 1 or 7.
Lots open two hours before puck drop and remain open one hour after the game ends. There is no re-entry once you exit a lot. Pedestrians walking from the parking area should use the Gate 6 entrance and follow the pedestrian sidewalk to the arena’s front stairs — Gate 5 is no longer open to foot traffic.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Amerant Bank Arena
The closest and most convenient premium parking options at Amerant Bank Arena are the Amerant Vault, the enclosed garage, and valet service — all positioned near the main entrance.
Amerant Vault parking is accessible through Gates 1, 2, and 5 and sits among the most sought-after spots on the property. Club parking in B, C, and F Lots offers a step up from general parking in terms of proximity and is accessible through Gates 2 and 5. For Club Parking coming south on Panther Parkway, drivers should stay in the center lanes past Gate 7, then merge left and enter through Gate 6.
Valet parking is available at Gates 1, 2, and 5 and runs approximately $60 plus tax at the gate — the highest-priced option on site but ideal for fans who want the fastest in-and-out experience. Limousines must enter through Gate 6 and are charged double the standard parking rate for that event. The Lexus Lot provides complimentary parking for Lexus drivers and is a well-known perk for eligible vehicles. Prepaid premium options can be reserved in advance through the Florida Panthers official site, SpotHero, or SeatGeek, and prepaying typically locks in a better rate than showing up at the gate.
Free Parking Near Amerant Bank Arena
The best-known free parking option near Amerant Bank Arena is Sawgrass Mills mall, located directly across the street from the arena.
Thousands of Panthers fans park in the northernmost sections of the Sawgrass Mills lot — the area closest to Amerant Bank Arena — and walk over. The walk is roughly a quarter mile, and traffic control officers are stationed on the road to help pedestrians cross safely. This option sees little to no pushback from mall management or local police and has become a well-established gameday tradition in Sunrise.
Sawgrass Mills is a large outlet and retail mall, and its north wing contains several sports bars and restaurants that make it easy to grab a pre-game meal before walking over. If you park at Sawgrass, plan a little extra time for the walk and be aware that post-game egress from the mall lot does not get the same traffic priority as egress from the official arena lots. Comfortable shoes and an extra 10–15 minutes are the only real costs of going this route.
Can You Tailgate at Amerant Bank Arena?
Tailgating is not permitted in the official parking lots at Amerant Bank Arena.
The arena does not authorize grilling, open flames, or formal tailgate setups in its lots before Panthers games or other events. Open-flame grills and oil-frying equipment are among the items specifically prohibited in the parking area. Fans looking for a pre-game atmosphere are best served by heading to the sports bars and restaurants in the north wing of Sawgrass Mills across the street, which are positioned close to the arena and cater directly to the Panthers crowd.
While a formal tailgate scene does not exist in the lots, fans do gather in the Sawgrass Mills parking area before games, and that area carries a more relaxed pre-game social energy. For group outings, the Sawgrass Mills restaurants are the practical substitute for the tailgate experience that the arena lots themselves do not provide.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Amerant Bank Arena
ADA accessible parking is available at Amerant Bank Arena for every event, with designated entry through Gates 1, 2, 5, and 7.
ADA spaces are located on both the north and south sides of the main arena entrance. Spots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is strongly encouraged. Drivers must display a valid state-issued handicap placard on the rearview mirror when entering, and parking attendants will direct qualifying vehicles to the correct area without delay.
Amerant Bank Arena also recognizes accessibility needs inside the venue, with accessible seating available on every level of the arena. Up to three companion seats may be purchased alongside each accessible ticket. For questions about ADA parking or accommodations, contact the arena at (954) 835-7000 or email guestexperience@floridapanthers.com. ASL interpreter services are also available for concerts and events with two weeks’ advance notice by calling (954) 835-7469.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Amerant Bank Arena
Rideshare drop-off at Amerant Bank Arena is designated at Gate 3, where drivers deliver passengers to the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance.
After dropping off, rideshare drivers exit via Gate 2. Lyft is the official rideshare partner of Amerant Bank Arena, and first-time Lyft users can use code AMERANT for a discount on initial rides. When booking your ride, provide your driver with the Gate 3 entrance instruction in advance to avoid confusion in game-day traffic.
For pick-up after the game, expect surge pricing and some wait time as thousands of fans exit simultaneously. Moving away from the Gate 3 area slightly before requesting your ride can help your driver reach you faster. Post-game congestion around the arena lots is real, and rideshare is one of the more efficient ways to avoid it entirely if you do not mind waiting a few minutes for your driver to navigate the traffic.
Public Transit to Amerant Bank Arena
There is no practical public transit option to Amerant Bank Arena for evening Florida Panthers games — driving or taking a rideshare is the only realistic way to get there.
A 595 Express Bus does serve a stop near the arena, but that route is designed for daytime commuters and does not operate during evening game hours. Broward County Transit bus routes serve the broader Sunrise and Fort Lauderdale area but do not provide convenient or timely service to Amerant Bank Arena for a 7:00 p.m. puck drop. Tri-Rail, South Florida’s commuter rail system, does not have a station close enough to the arena to serve as a viable option for most fans.
For fans coming from Fort Lauderdale, the most direct driving route is I-595 west to Exit 1 (NW 136th Avenue/Panther Parkway), then north approximately one mile to the arena — this route avoids the Sawgrass Expressway toll entirely. From Miami, allow at least 45 minutes in normal traffic. From the north via I-95, connect to the Sawgrass Expressway south to Oakland Park Boulevard, then right on Flamingo Road, then right on Panther Parkway to Gate 3.
Amerant Bank Arena Parking Tips
The single best move you can make for Panthers game parking is to prepay online before you leave home — it saves money, guarantees your spot, and gets you through the gate faster.
Arrive at least 90 minutes before puck drop. Lots open two hours before the game, and the first hour is the calmest window for entry. If you wait until 30 minutes before puck drop, you will encounter the worst traffic and have the fewest lot choices. Decide on your gate before you arrive: A Lot and D Lot are best for fans entering through Gates 2, 3, 5 (A Lot) or Gates 1, 7 (D Lot). Club and garage parking loads through Gates 5 and 6 from the south on Panther Parkway.
For post-game exit, arena lots have priority access to the Sawgrass Expressway on-ramp via Salerno Drive — a meaningful advantage over fans parked at Sawgrass Mills. If budget is the priority, park free at Sawgrass Mills and budget an extra 15–20 minutes for the walk each way. The arena is fully cashless for parking, so do not show up expecting to pay with bills. If you are using a rideshare, enter Gate 3 on your pickup pin and step slightly away from the main crowd cluster when you request your post-game ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Amerant Bank Arena for a Panthers game?
General parking in A Lot and D Lot runs approximately $40 plus tax at the gate for most Panthers games. Club lots (B, C, F) cost around $50 plus tax, and valet is $60 plus tax. Prices vary by opponent and day of week, with some general lot listings starting at $35 for lower-demand games.
Can I prepay for parking at Amerant Bank Arena?
Yes. Prepaid parking is available through the Florida Panthers official website, SeatGeek, SpotHero, and other third-party platforms. Buying in advance often gets you a better rate than paying at the gate and guarantees your spot on busy game nights.
What gate do I use for rideshare drop-off at Amerant Bank Arena?
Use Gate 3 for all rideshare drop-offs. Drivers will deliver passengers to the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance and exit via Gate 2. Lyft is the official rideshare partner of the arena.
Is there free parking near Amerant Bank Arena?
Yes. Sawgrass Mills mall, located directly across the street from the arena, offers free parking in its northernmost lot sections. The walk to the arena is approximately a quarter mile, and traffic officers are stationed to assist pedestrians crossing the street.
Is tailgating allowed at Amerant Bank Arena?
No. Tailgating is not permitted in the official Amerant Bank Arena parking lots. Open-flame grills and party setups are prohibited. Fans typically head to sports bars and restaurants in the north wing of Sawgrass Mills across the street for pre-game socializing.
Where is ADA parking at Amerant Bank Arena?
ADA parking is accessible through Gates 1, 2, 5, and 7, with designated spaces on both the north and south sides of the main entrance. Spaces are first-come, first-served. Display a valid state-issued handicap placard and parking attendants will direct you.
What time do the parking lots open at Amerant Bank Arena?
Lots open two hours before puck drop and remain open one hour after the game ends. There is no re-entry once you leave a lot, so plan accordingly.
Is there public transit to Amerant Bank Arena?
No practical public transit serves the arena for evening Panthers games. A 595 Express Bus route stops nearby but operates only during daytime commuter hours. Driving or taking a rideshare is the standard way to reach the arena.
Does Amerant Bank Arena accept cash for parking?
No. The arena is fully cashless for parking. Bring a credit or debit card u2014 cash will not be accepted at any parking gate.
