The Florida Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups — 2024 and 2025 — and Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise is the loudest building in the NHL right now. But Sunrise, Florida does not make getting there painless. The arena sits at the western edge of Broward County, tucked against the Sawgrass Mills complex on 1 Panther Parkway, and on a packed October home opener or a January playoff push, the Sawgrass Expressway will announce exactly where you're trying to go before you ever reach it.
Exits 19 (Sunrise Boulevard) and 22 (NW 136th Avenue) — the two main road approaches to the building — back up 90 minutes before puck drop on full-house nights. Post-game rideshare wait times at the south side pickup zone along Sawgrass Corporate Parkway routinely hit 15–30 minutes, and that's a normal night, not a playoff crowd. One charter bus or party bus from Pembroke Pines changes the whole calculation: your group rides together, someone else handles the I-595 crawl, and the bus is already staged near Gate 7 / D2 Lot for the ride home the moment the final horn sounds.
This guide covers every piece of logistics your group needs before arriving — where buses enter and park, what parking costs at the gate versus prepaid, which approach roads to take from Pembroke Pines, what the bag policy means for your group, and which 2026 events are worth building a trip around. For a broader look at getting groups to South Florida games and events, the Pembroke Pines sporting event transportation page covers the full picture.
Why Rent a Bus to Amerant Bank Arena?
Nineteen thousand two hundred and fifty fans pour into that building for a Panthers game — and every one of them is sharing the same small knot of roads around Panther Parkway and the Sawgrass Expressway. Gate parking runs $40–$50 plus tax per car, and the lots open only two hours before puck drop, which means even arriving "early" puts you in the same wave as everyone else. Rideshare pickups at the south side drop zone on Sawgrass Corporate Parkway build fast after the final horn.
And there is essentially no effective public transit for an evening game — the 595 Express bus runs in daytime commuter windows, not at 10 PM on a Tuesday after overtime.
A Pembroke Pines party bus rental solves this end to end. One address for pickup — a house, a restaurant, a hotel off Pines Boulevard — and the bus drops your entire group at the dedicated large-vehicle zone at Gate 7, steps from the entrance, while the general parking lanes are still sorting themselves out. The bus stages in D2 Lot during the game, you set a post-game pickup spot and window before the group splits up, and when the horn sounds, the bus is right there.
No garage hunt, no surge fare, no one staring at an app waiting for a car that's circling Panther Parkway. Split across 40 people, one bus frequently beats coordinating five or six separate cars in both cost and hassle — and the Panther Parkway crawl home is somebody else's problem entirely.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Amerant Bank Arena
Per the Florida Panthers official parking page, charter buses enter through Gate 7 and bus parking costs $75. The arena's own directions and parking page confirms bus and limo drop-off uses D2 Lot, accessed via Gates 1 or 7. That puts your group on the west side of the arena along Panther Parkway — direct approach, steps from the entrances, no threading through the general A Lot and D Lot car lanes that stack up on event nights.
Rideshare is a completely separate lane. Per the Panthers parking page, Lyft pickups and drop-offs use Gate 3 on the north side — enter at Gate 3, guests drop off at the North Pedestrian Walkway, and rideshare vehicles exit via Gate 2. Because buses and rideshare use different gates and different sides of the building, your group's post-game pickup at Gate 7 / D2 Lot isn't competing with the rideshare wave when the building empties.
That's the piece most groups don't realize — the bus has its own staging area, and the pickup point is set before anyone walks into the building.
Buses: Gate 7, D2 Lot, $75 parking fee. That is the official routing from the Panthers' own parking page, published for every home game and arena event. Your group walks straight in from the west side rather than crossing from a remote lot — and the same spot is waiting when the game ends.
Parking at Amerant Bank Arena: Every Option Before You Arrive
There's no shortage of parking near Amerant Bank Arena — but each option has a specific catch, and knowing the catch before you're stuck in it saves real time and money on game night.
Arena lots (A Lot and D Lot) at the gate: General parking runs $40–$50 plus tax per car on Panthers game nights. Lots open two hours before puck drop. Pre-paid parking through SeatGeek drops that range to $20–$30 and locks in your lot before you leave the house.
The A Lot sits on the east side of the arena, closest to the main entrance and the covered Sawgrass Mills walkway; D Lot is on the west side near Gate 7. Club, garage, valet, and VIP options are available at higher rates through the arena. ADA-accessible spaces are on the north and south sides, first-come, first-served, via Gates 1, 2, 5, or 7.
Sawgrass Mills free overflow: The least-kept secret about Amerant Bank Arena is that the Sawgrass Mills mall directly across Panther Parkway has free parking during mall hours — and plenty of fans use it. It's about a quarter-mile walk with a traffic-controlled pedestrian crossing, roughly 12–15 minutes. The catch is mall hours: Sawgrass Mills closes around 9:30 PM on weekdays.
A Panthers game with overtime can push well past 10:00 PM, and the lot does not hold for you. Towing is enforced after hours. For a routine evening game that ends by 9:45 PM, this works fine.
For any playoff game, a late-running concert, or any night where overtime is possible, Sawgrass Mills parking carries a real tow risk — pre-paid arena parking or a bus are the safer calls.
Rideshare (Lyft): Drop-offs use Gate 3 on the north side. Post-game pickups also use Gate 3 at the North Pedestrian Walkway, with exits via Gate 2. Post-game waits on full-house nights run 15–30 minutes with surge pricing that can push Pembroke Pines round-trip fares to $60–$90 or more.
Regulars have found that walking eight minutes east through the Sawgrass Mills covered walkway to the mall's main entrance and requesting from there helps beat both the wait and the surge — you're out of the immediate post-game hot zone. That works, as long as the mall is still open when the game ends.
| Option | Cost shape | Everyone arrives together? | Drop-off | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — Gate 7 / D2 Lot, steps from entrance | 15–56 |
| Drive and park (pre-paid) | $20–$30 per car via SeatGeek | Only if you caravan and park adjacent | Good — A or D Lot, on-site | 1–2 cars |
| Drive and park (at gate) | $40–$50 + tax per car | Only if you coordinate arrival | Good — A or D Lot, on-site | 1–2 cars |
| Sawgrass Mills overflow (free) | Free, but tow risk after 9:30 PM | Only if all cars arrive together | Quarter-mile walk + pedestrian crossing | 1–2 cars |
| Rideshare (Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Gate 3 / North Pedestrian Walkway | 1–4 per car |
For a single couple or a pair of friends, Sawgrass Mills or pre-paid arena parking is the right call — no reason to charter a bus for two people. The moment your party grows past a couple of cars, the coordination math — separate arrivals, multiple parking passes, split-up group texts — tips decisively toward one bus.
Getting to Amerant Bank Arena from Pembroke Pines
From Pembroke Pines, Amerant Bank Arena is about 16 miles northwest — roughly 25 minutes in normal traffic, closer to 50–60 minutes on a sellout game night. The standard approach: I-595 West to Exit 1 (NW 136th Avenue), then north on 136th Avenue, which becomes Panther Parkway about one mile north of Sunrise Boulevard. The arena sits on the left.
That's the straightforward route from central Pembroke Pines and it is the most direct — but it's also where the event-night stack forms.
The Sawgrass Expressway's Sunrise Boulevard (Exit 19) and NW 136th Avenue (Exit 22) exits see significant backups during large events, starting as much as 90 minutes before puck drop and not clearing until well after the lots drain. There is an alternative for groups coming up from southern Pembroke Pines or Miramar: Florida Turnpike Extension to I-75, then Pat Salerno Drive, which routes directly to Gates 1 or 2 on the east side and avoids the 136th Avenue / I-595 junction entirely. On heavy game nights, the Pat Salerno route can shave meaningful time for groups originating south of Miramar Road.
On the bus, plan departure from Pembroke Pines at least 90 minutes before puck drop on sellout nights — two hours on a playoff game or a sold-out concert. The bus handles the I-595 crawl, your group arrives together on one schedule instead of staggered across a 20-minute parking wave, and the energy for the game is already going when everyone walks through the turnstiles.
What Bus Does Your Group Need for Amerant Bank Arena?
Partybuspembrokepines.com connects you to a full selection of vehicle types through a large network of bus companies serving Pembroke Pines and Broward County — so your headcount and the style of night you're planning both get matched properly, not crammed into whatever's left.
| Vehicle | Seats | Storage / Gear | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Light bags | Small groups, suite nights, VIP runs | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Onboard, lighter loads | Fan groups who want the rolling pregame | Full-length bar, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead and some underfloor | Mid-size groups, corporate shuttles, multi-stop itineraries | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, overhead storage |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays | Large groups, out-of-town arrivals, gear-heavy outings | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For most Pembroke Pines fan groups heading to a Panthers game, a 25-passenger party bus or a 40-passenger party bus covers the typical group size and brings the game-night energy with it — LED lighting, premium sound, and perimeter seating so the pregame starts on the Pines Boulevard ramp, not in the D2 Lot. If your group is larger or traveling with oversized gear, a charter bus adds the deep undercarriage bays and onboard restroom that a party bus doesn't carry. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note your needs when you request your quote and the right vehicle can be arranged.
Amerant Bank Arena Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices
Partybuspembrokepines.com shows pricing in under 30 seconds online — no account required, no obligation. There's no single sticker number because the rate reflects your specific trip: vehicle size, total rental hours (pregame staging plus post-game wait), the date and type of event, and your pickup origin in Pembroke Pines. A regular-season October weeknight prices differently than a January playoff game at a sold-out arena, and those high-demand dates book out fast.
To give you an idea of how the numbers work out: a 40-person fan group books a 40-passenger party bus for a Saturday night Panthers game. Pickup from Pembroke Pines at 5:30 PM, at Gate 7 / D2 Lot by 6:30 PM — one hour before the opening face-off. The bus stages in D2 Lot while the game runs, and the group agrees on a 10:30 PM post-game pickup near Gate 7.
A 5-hour weekend rental at that size might come to around $1,750 — roughly $44 per person, with the I-595 crawl, the $40–$50 per-car parking pass, and the designated-driver problem all folded into one flat number. Bus parking at Gate 7 ($75) is a separate cost, typically handled at booking.
Do the per-person math before you dismiss the bus. Ten cars × $40 pre-paid parking = $400 in parking alone, before gas. One charter bus at roughly $1,750 total ÷ 40 people = about $44 each — everyone arrives together, no one draws straws for who drives home sober on I-595 at 11 PM, and the post-game pickup is already arranged before anyone walks through the turnstiles.
See the Pembroke Pines party bus prices page for current planning ranges across all vehicle types, or call 754-355-0710 any time for a free quote at no obligation to you.
Arena Policies Your Group Needs to Know at Amerant Bank Arena
Amerant Bank Arena runs a stricter bag policy than most arenas in Florida. Per the official security policies page, no bags, purses, backpacks, sling bags, or cinch bags are permitted inside. The only allowed bag is a small clutch, crossbody, or wristlet smaller than 4" × 6" × 1.5" — smaller than a standard evening clutch, and far smaller than most everyday purses or fanny packs.
This trips up first-timers every game night. Your group needs to know the rule before they leave home, not at the security checkpoint with 10 people behind them.
Bag lockers are available outside the main entrance at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs for guests who arrive with a prohibited bag and need to stow it. Build a few extra minutes into your arrival window if your group includes anyone who didn't pack light. One factory-sealed plastic water bottle per person is allowed in.
Outside food, beverages, and alcohol are not.
All guests pass through walk-through metal detectors on each entry, and re-entry is not permitted once you've scanned your ticket. Set a clear meeting point outside the building before the group splits up — if someone walks out for any reason, they are not coming back in. Plan arrivals accordingly, and make sure everyone understands the no-re-entry rule, because it catches groups who don't expect it.
Florida Panthers Season & Events at Amerant Bank Arena in 2026
The Florida Panthers — back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions in 2024 and 2025 — open preseason at Amerant Bank Arena as early as September 20, 2026, with the 2026–27 regular season beginning October 10, 2026 and running through April 2027 (and deeper, if the Panthers make another Cup run). Full schedule, single-game tickets, and the 2026–27 season ticket program are on the Florida Panthers page at the arena. These games sell — especially with back-to-back championships drawing new fans — and the late-season and playoff windows book transportation supply across Broward County fast.
The arena doesn't slow down between hockey seasons. On the 2026 calendar: Disney On Ice: Spotlight Magic! runs September 10–13, 2026, and Teddy Swims's THE UGLY TOUR hits Amerant Bank Arena on October 23, 2026. Concert nights at this building create the same traffic picture as game nights — Panther Parkway and the Sawgrass Expressway approach stack identically — and the Gate 7 / D2 Lot bus staging applies to concerts exactly as it does to hockey.
Groups planning a concert trip can see Pembroke Pines concert party bus rentals for options.
A few dates to build around: playoff windows in April–June will spike bus demand across South Florida well before the Panthers' postseason bracket is set. If your group is planning a playoff run at Amerant Bank Arena, locking in transportation 4–6 weeks before you expect the schedule to be announced is the safe play. For regular-season October and January home stretches — historically the most popular among fan groups — 2–4 weeks of lead time is workable, but the right vehicles for large groups go first.
Call 754-355-0710 the moment your date is locked.
Flying In? Rent a Bus from Fort Lauderdale Airport to Amerant Bank Arena
For out-of-town groups flying in for a Panthers game or arena event, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) is the closest option — about 17 miles southeast of Amerant Bank Arena, roughly 23 minutes in normal traffic. The full logistics breakdown for group pickups at FLL is in the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport bus rental guide. Miami International (MIA) is farther — approximately 35 miles — and adds 40–50 minutes to the run during event traffic.
A group of 20 flying in together would need five or six rideshares from FLL, arriving at different times with no single curbside meeting point — and then needing to regroup before heading to the arena. One bus handles baggage claim pickup, runs the group straight to Gate 7, and eliminates the entire terminal scatter. For groups flying in the day of the game, that is a real difference: you land, board, and arrive at the arena together.
Airport-originating group trips — FLL or MIA — are covered through the Pembroke Pines airport transportation page.
Types of Groups That Rent a Bus to Amerant Bank Arena
The Gate 7 staging and D2 Lot setup works for every kind of group heading to Sunrise — it's not reserved for fan buses or any single event type. These are the groups that come through Partybuspembrokepines.com most often for this arena:
- Panthers fan groups. Broward and Pembroke Pines regulars who rotate the driving burden, birthday groups making a game the main event, and out-of-town fans in for a playoff stretch — all of them benefit from the bus handling I-595 both ways while the pregame energy builds on board.
- Concert groups. Arena-scale shows fill the building the same way Panthers games do, and the Sawgrass Expressway backs up just the same. A concert party bus from Pembroke Pines gets everyone there on one schedule and picks everyone up after the encore, no surge pricing surprise.
- Corporate and suite groups. Moving clients or colleagues from Pembroke Pines offices or hotels to a suite or club night at the Panthers is cleaner than running a caravan. The corporate event transportation page covers group shuttle options for business-focused trips.
- Out-of-town arrivals. Groups flying into FLL for a game weekend who need one clean transfer from the terminal to the arena — or a hotel-to-arena circuit the following night — handled in a single booking through Partybuspembrokepines.com.
- Birthday and milestone groups. A Panthers game is a better backdrop than most venues, and a birthday party bus from Pembroke Pines takes the whole night off your plate so you can actually enjoy it.
Heading to another South Florida arena on the same trip? The Kaseya Center guide covers Heat games and concerts in downtown Miami — same bus network, different drop-off protocol.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting to Amerant Bank Arena
Where exactly does a charter bus drop off at Amerant Bank Arena?
Per the Florida Panthers official parking page, charter buses and large vehicles enter through Gate 7 and park in D2 Lot on the west side of the arena. Bus parking is a flat $75. The arena's directions page also confirms bus and limo drop-off uses Gates 1 or 7 into D2 Lot.
Rideshare (Lyft) uses Gate 3 on the north side and is a completely separate lane — your bus is not competing for the same curbside space as the rideshare wave after the horn.
How much does bus parking cost at Amerant Bank Arena?
Per the Panthers' official parking page, buses pay $75 to park at Gate 7 / D2 Lot. That is separate from the rental rate for the bus itself, and it is typically handled at booking rather than at the gate. Limousines are charged double the general parking rate.
General car parking runs $40–$50 plus tax at the gate, or $20–$30 prepaid through SeatGeek.
How far in advance should we book a bus to Amerant Bank Arena?
For regular-season Panthers games and most arena concerts, 2–4 weeks of lead time is workable. For playoff games, Stanley Cup Finals dates, and high-demand concerts, book the moment your date is confirmed — South Florida vehicle supply tightens quickly during playoff windows, and the right-size buses for fan groups go first. Call 754-355-0710 as soon as your date is set.
What is the bag policy at Amerant Bank Arena?
The arena allows only small clutches, crossbodies, or wristlets smaller than 4" × 6" × 1.5". No backpacks, purses, sling bags, or cinch bags of any size are permitted. Bag lockers are available outside the main entrance at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs for guests who need to stow a prohibited bag.
One factory-sealed plastic water bottle per person is allowed in; outside food and beverages are not. Full details on the official security policies page.
Is there re-entry at Amerant Bank Arena?
No. The arena does not permit re-entry after your ticket is scanned. If someone in your group walks out for any reason, they cannot come back in. Set a clear external meeting spot before the group splits up inside, and make sure everyone knows the policy before they arrive.
How long does the drive from Pembroke Pines to Amerant Bank Arena take?
About 25 minutes off-peak — roughly 16 miles via I-595 West to Exit 1 (NW 136th Ave), then north on Panther Parkway. On a sellout game night, budget 50–60 minutes minimum. The Sawgrass Expressway exits at Sunrise Boulevard and NW 136th Avenue back up 90 minutes before puck drop.
Groups coming from southern Pembroke Pines can also take Florida Turnpike Extension to I-75 to Pat Salerno Drive, which routes directly to Gates 1 or 2 and bypasses the I-595 / 136th Ave exchange.
Can we book a bus pickup from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport to Amerant Bank Arena?
Yes. FLL is about 17 miles southeast of the arena — roughly 23 minutes in normal traffic. One bus collects your group at baggage claim and runs them straight to Gate 7 with no terminal scatter.
The FLL airport shuttle guide covers the pickup logistics in detail.
Is free parking available near Amerant Bank Arena?
Sawgrass Mills mall directly across Panther Parkway allows fans to park and walk over — about a quarter-mile with a traffic-controlled pedestrian crossing, roughly 12–15 minutes. It is free during mall hours, which end around 9:30 PM on weekdays. After that, towing is enforced.
For any game with overtime potential, playoff games, or late-running concerts, the tow risk is real — pre-paid arena parking or a bus are the safer calls.
Does Partybuspembrokepines.com book buses for Florida Panthers playoff games?
Yes — Partybuspembrokepines.com connects you to bus companies serving Pembroke Pines and all of Broward County for regular-season games, playoffs, and any arena event. Request a quote online in under 30 seconds or call 754-355-0710. For playoff stretches, call as early as possible — vehicle supply in South Florida tightens fast when the Panthers are making a Cup run, and the right-sized buses for fan groups go first.
What is the arena's address and main phone number?
Amerant Bank Arena is located at 1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323. The main arena contact number is 954-835-7000. The official directions and parking page is the most reliable source for current gate assignments, lot pricing, and any event-specific changes.
Book Your Charter Bus or Party Bus to Amerant Bank Arena
Amerant Bank Arena has been the most electric building in South Florida for two straight seasons, and the 2026–27 campaign is shaping up to keep that run going. Whether it's a Saturday night Panthers home game, a sold-out arena concert, or a suite night with clients from the office, the transportation side of this trip should be the simplest part to plan. Partybuspembrokepines.com makes it easy: fill out the quick online form or call 754-355-0710 any time to compare charter buses, party buses, minibuses, and Sprinter options serving Pembroke Pines and all of Broward County — pricing in under 30 seconds, no account required, no obligation. Your bus enters Gate 7, your group walks straight to the entrance, and when the final horn sounds, the ride home is already staged and waiting.
Call 754-355-0710 and get your group's quote today!
