A Concert at Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise

Amerant Bank Arena, home of the Florida Panthers ice hockey team, is not in Miami or on the beach. It stands in Sunrise, a suburb on the western edge of Broward County, next to the huge Sawgrass Mills outlet mall and close to where the suburbs end and the Everglades begin. It is the venue for most of the big arena tours in South Florida, and for visitors it is a driving trip.

Journey play here on Friday 16 October 2026, on their Final Frontier farewell tour. Our Journey tour cities guide covers the rest of the route.

Where to base yourself

There are hotels around the arena and the mall, which are convenient but have little else going for them. Most visitors combine the show with a beach stay. Fort Lauderdale is the closer choice, with Las Olas Boulevard for restaurants and a long, wide beach. Miami is further, but if you are already staying in South Beach the drive is manageable outside rush hour. Our where to stay in Miami guide compares the areas.

Making a day of it

Spend the day on the beach, or head west into the Everglades for an airboat ride or a walk on a boardwalk trail among the sawgrass and alligators; several airboat operators are within a short drive of the arena. Sawgrass Mills itself is one of the largest outlet malls in the country, which is either a bonus or a reason to avoid the area until the doors open. Then aim to reach the arena early, eat nearby and avoid arriving in the evening traffic at the last moment.

A Friday show in the western suburbs means traffic: the motorways from Miami and Fort Lauderdale are busy on Friday evenings even without an arena emptying at the end.

Fort Lauderdale in a day

If you base yourself in Fort Lauderdale, spend the day on the beach and take a water taxi or a boat tour along the canals of the New River, lined with large waterfront houses and yachts; the city calls itself the Venice of America with some justification. Las Olas Boulevard, with its shops, galleries and restaurants, is the obvious place for lunch. Then leave plenty of time for the drive west to the arena, and eat near Sawgrass Mills if you want to avoid arriving hungry.

Tickets

Buy from the arena's official ticket seller or through the link on the band's official site. Avoid sellers on social media and street touts outside the venue.

Getting there

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is the closest, followed by Miami International. There is no practical rail link to the arena, so you will drive or take a rideshare. Pre-book parking if the arena offers it, and plan for a slow exit from the car parks after the show. A rideshare home is often quicker than queuing out of a garage, but expect surge pricing and agree a pickup point a short walk from the main doors.

Where to stay

• Fort Lauderdale beach or Las Olas: the best balance of distance and atmosphere.
• Near the arena: the shortest trip home after the encore, little else.
• Miami Beach: for a longer holiday; budget extra time for the drive.

Accessibility and VIP

Accessible seats are sold through the official seller; ask the arena's guest services about drop-off points close to the entrance. VIP packages should only be bought through the band's official site.

• Read the bag policy on the arena's website. Small or clear bags are the norm.
• Leave early for a Friday evening show; the motorways around Fort Lauderdale are among the busiest in Florida at that time.
• Keep an eye on the weather. Mid-October is still hurricane season, and storms can disrupt flights and roads.
• Bring insect repellent if you visit the Everglades in the afternoon; the mosquitoes are serious.
• Dress for heat outside and air conditioning inside. A light layer helps in the arena.
• Save the car park location on your phone; the lots are large and look the same in the dark.
• Carry a photo ID if you plan to drink; venues in Florida check ages strictly.
• Bring sun cream and water if you spend the day on the beach before the show; the October sun is still strong in South Florida.