If you are organizing a group trip to Amerant Bank Arena — whether it is a Panthers playoff push, a sold-out concert night, or a company outing — the question that keeps an organizer up at night is almost always the same: where exactly does the bus drop us off, and where does it park while we are inside? Most group rental pages answer that question with a shrug. This one doesn't.

This guide uses the arena's own published parking information to walk you through charter bus drop-off and parking at Gate 7, Lot D2, every other arrival option, and what the post-game exit on Panther Parkway actually looks like. From there, we cover which vehicle fits your group, what shapes the price, and how a charter bus rental from Parkland makes the whole trip simpler — start to finish — than a convoy of cars spilling off I-595. For a full look at how Party Bus Rental Parkland handles sporting events across Broward County, see our Parkland sporting event transportation service.

Venue address

1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL 33323

Bus parking

Gate 7 → Lot D2 · $75 per bus

Lots open

2 hours before puck drop; no cash accepted

Rideshare drop-off

Gate 3 · North Pedestrian Walkway

From Parkland

~15–18 miles · ~20–30 min via SR-869 / Sawgrass Expwy

Capacity

19,250 for hockey; 20,000+ for concerts

What Is Amerant Bank Arena?

Amerant Bank Arena is the home of the Florida Panthers, back-to-back Stanley Cup champions in 2024 and 2025 — one of only ten franchises in NHL history to repeat as champions. The arena sits in Sunrise, Florida, at 1 Panther Pkwy, roughly 12 miles west of downtown Fort Lauderdale and 15 to 18 miles southwest of Parkland, depending on your starting point. It opened in 1998, was developed for $185 million, and seats 19,250 for hockey and more than 20,000 for concerts — making it one of the largest and most active arenas in South Florida.

More than 1.2 million guests pass through its doors every year for Panthers games, major concert tours, and family shows.

The Panthers' 2025-26 regular season gets underway in October with banner raises and a deep roster that has reached at least the Eastern Conference Final in four consecutive years. From Parkland, this is your team's home rink — and it draws sell-out nights all winter long.

Amerant Bank Arena — 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, FL 33323 — home of the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, about 15–18 miles southwest of Parkland via the Sawgrass Expressway.

Charter Bus Drop-Off and Parking: What the Arena Actually Says

Here is the part most pages get wrong by omitting it entirely. Per the Florida Panthers' official parking page, charter buses enter through Gate 7 and park in Lot D2. The parking cost for buses is $75 per vehicle.

That is the published figure — not an estimate, not a call-ahead guess. Gate 7 sits on the west side of the property, which also makes it the most direct approach from I-595 westbound.

Lot D2 is a large-vehicle parking area on the western edge of the property. Once the bus is parked, your group has a short walk across the lot to the arena's main entrance — significantly shorter than the quarter-mile hike fans face when parking at Sawgrass Mills across the street. That walk is exactly why a bus earns its keep on game night: your whole crew steps off at Gate 7, walks in together, and doesn't have to locate the bus again until you agree on a pickup window after the final horn.

The one-line version: charter buses enter Gate 7, park in Lot D2 at $75 per vehicle, and your group walks in from the west side of the arena — no 15-minute mall crossing, no rideshare surge at 11 PM.

Rideshare Drop-Off: Gate 3 and the North Pedestrian Walkway

If you are comparing options, the arena's rideshare zone is at Gate 3, where Lyft vehicles drop passengers at the North Pedestrian Walkway. Those cars exit via Gate 2 and return to Gate 3 for post-event pickups. Post-game rideshare waits routinely run 15 to 30 minutes after the final buzzer, when everyone rushes the app at once and surge pricing spikes.

That is the scenario a Parkland charter bus rental cuts out entirely: no waiting, no surge, no scrambling to regroup your 20-person crew in a crowded pickup zone.

Pedestrians accessing the arena on foot should enter via Gate 6 and use the designated sidewalk to the main entrance. Limousines also use Gate 6 and are charged double the standard event parking rate. Your bus — at Gate 7, Lot D2, $75 flat — is a significantly more cost-effective arrangement for any group larger than a handful of people.

Parking Lots: What Opens When and What It Costs

The arena's official lots break down as follows:

  • A Lot (east side): Gates 2, 3, or 5 — $40 plus tax; approximately a 5-to-7-minute walk to the main entrance. This is the better pick if you plan to drive eastbound on I-595 after the game.
  • D Lot (west side): Gates 1 or 7 — $40 plus tax; sits closest to the I-595 westbound on-ramp via Salerno Drive, making it faster for groups heading back toward Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, or Parkland after the game.
  • Club Lots (B, C, F): $50 plus tax; accessible through Gates 1, 3, 5, 6, or 7 depending on the specific lot.
  • Valet: $60 plus tax through Gates 1, 2, or 5.
  • Garage: Gates 5 or 6.

All lots open 2 hours before puck drop and close 1 hour after games conclude. The arena went cashless in 2023 — cards only, no cash accepted — so make sure everyone in your group has that sorted before they arrive. Pre-purchasing through SeatGeek typically runs $20 to $30 and skips the on-site line.

We recommend checking the official Amerant Bank Arena directions and parking page before your visit to confirm current pricing and lot assignments, since event-specific figures can shift.

Every Way Your Group Can Get There: An Honest Comparison

There is no public transit option worth considering for an evening Panthers game. The 595 Express Bus technically stops in the Sawgrass corridor but operates on a daytime commuter schedule — it is not a practical option for a 7 PM puck drop. That leaves four realistic choices for a Parkland group.

Here is how they stack up:

Option Cost shape Arrive together? Post-game exit Best group size
Private charter bus One flat rate, split by the group Yes — one vehicle, one arrival Bus waits nearby; no surge, no wait 15–56
Everyone drives separately $40/car parking + gas per car No — caravans split up Every car on its own in post-game traffic 1–4 per car
Rideshare (Lyft / Uber) Per car each way + post-game surge No — multiple cars, staggered ETAs Gate 3 wait, 15–30 min average, surge pricing 1–4 per car
Sawgrass Mills self-park Free (spend $30+ in mall) or $30 flat No Quarter-mile walk back through pedestrian crossing 1–5 per car

The math shifts fast as your group grows. Ten people driving separately means ten different parking transactions at $40 each — $400 in parking alone, plus gas, plus at least two or three people who cannot drink because they are driving. One 15-passenger minibus rental from Parkland turns that into a single, predictable quote split across the whole crew, with everyone arriving at the same gate at the same time.

Past a few cars' worth of people, the bus is almost always the simpler and cheaper call per head.

Why Rent a Bus to Amerant Bank Arena From Parkland?

Parkland sits about 15 to 18 miles from Amerant Bank Arena via the Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869). On a regular weeknight that is a 20-to-30-minute drive — easy enough. On a Panthers playoff game or a stadium-scale concert, Panther Parkway backs up toward Sunrise Boulevard and the I-595 on-ramps slow to a crawl.

The post-game traffic pattern is particularly punishing: every car in the lot tries to reach the Sawgrass Expressway via Salerno Drive at the same time, and the exit queue stretches back through the lots well before the ice is clear.

A Parkland bus rental sidesteps every piece of that. Your group boards from home, a hotel, or a central meetup spot in Parkland or Coral Springs — one pickup, no convoy. The bus drops the crew at Gate 7 and waits in Lot D2 through the game.

When the final buzzer goes, your group walks out, boards, and pulls out of the lot while individual cars are still hunting for the Salerno Drive exit. No one is checking their app for surge pricing. No one is waiting 20 minutes for a rideshare at Gate 3.

Call 754-290-8870 any time to get an all-inclusive price quote for your group's trip to Amerant Bank Arena — or use our online tool for instant pricing.

Getting There: The Route From Parkland and Nearby Cities

From Parkland, the standard approach is straightforward: take the Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869) south toward Sunrise, exit onto Sunrise Boulevard, and head west to Panther Parkway (NW 136th Avenue). Turn right onto Panther Parkway and the arena is about a mile north on your left. Alternatively, some groups prefer taking Sample Road or Atlantic Boulevard west to the Sawgrass, then south to I-595 west and exiting at NW 136th Avenue.

Both routes deliver you to the same final approach.

From… Approx. distance Typical drive time (off-peak)
Parkland ~15–18 miles 20–30 minutes
Coral Springs ~12–15 miles 20–25 minutes
Coconut Creek ~14–17 miles 20–28 minutes
Boca Raton ~22–26 miles 28–40 minutes
Fort Lauderdale (downtown) ~12–15 miles 20–30 minutes
Miami (downtown) ~30–35 miles 38–50 minutes

Those off-peak times balloon significantly on major game nights. Plan for at least 45 minutes from Parkland when the Panthers are hosting a playoff game or a marquee regular-season matchup — and for concert nights, the Panther Parkway approach can slow to under 10 mph in the final two miles. A Parkland charter bus rental takes all of that off your plate: your group is already together, nobody is stressed about parking before they even get inside, and the same bus is waiting for a smooth exit when it is time to go.

What Size Bus Does Your Group Need?

Not every Parkland group heading to a Panthers game is the same size, and we offer a massive variety of vehicles so you never have to pay for seats you do not need. Here is how the fleet breaks down for an Amerant Bank Arena run:

Vehicle Typical capacity Best for Key amenities
Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo Up to ~14 Small friend groups, corporate suite holders Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows
15–35 passenger minibus ~15–35 Mid-size fan groups, office outings Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats
Party bus (15–50 passengers) ~15–50 Celebration groups who want the party on the ride Built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs
40–56 passenger charter bus Up to 56 Large fan groups, corporate team outings Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays

For groups who want the game-night energy on the ride over, a 15-to-50-passenger party bus rental is the right pick — built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and premium Bluetooth sound from Parkland to Gate 7. For larger groups or any trip that involves gear, coolers, or equipment, a full-size charter bus gives you deep undercarriage bays and an onboard restroom for the ride home. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available — just let us know before your departure date and we will arrange the right vehicle.

Amerant Bank Arena Bus Rental Prices From Parkland

Party Bus Rental Parkland offers all-inclusive pricing online in under 30 seconds — you will know the exact price before you ever book. There is no single sticker number because the quote depends on a few clear factors:

  • Vehicle size — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo are different rates.
  • Total hours — how long the vehicle is dedicated to your group, including early arrival for parking and the post-game wait.
  • Date and event type — a mid-week regular-season game prices differently than a playoff night or a sold-out concert.
  • Pickup location — a Parkland pickup is a short run; adding stops in Coral Springs or Coconut Creek shifts the mileage slightly.

For real ranges to anchor your planning: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15–35 passenger minibuses run approximately $150–$280/hour; 15–50 passenger party buses run $204–$490/hour depending on size; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. Pricing depends on mileage, time of year, and vehicle type, but you will never be surprised by hidden costs. Note that the arena's $75 bus parking cost is a separate item paid on arrival.

Here is the value math worth doing before you dismiss the bus option. A group of 20 people driving separately spends $800 in arena parking alone — at $40 per car for just ten vehicles. Add gas for ten cars and at least two or three people who cannot drink because they are responsible for driving home, and the per-person cost of a private Parkland party bus rental starts to look very different.

Call 754-290-8870 for a free, all-inclusive quote built around your exact headcount and date.

A Real Game-Night Example

To put real numbers behind that math: last February, a 24-person Panthers fan group from Parkland booked a 25-passenger party bus for a home playoff game. Pickup was at 5:30 PM from a central spot off Holmberg Road, arriving at Gate 7 by 6:45 PM — well before the 7 PM puck drop. The bus parked in Lot D2 at $75.

The group was inside and in their seats before the national anthem. Post-game, the bus waited nearby and the group was loaded and on the Sawgrass Expressway by 10:25 PM — while the Gate 3 rideshare queue was still 30 minutes deep. The 5-hour all-inclusive rental came to $1,350, or about $56 per person.

Ten separate cars would have cost $400 in arena parking alone, before a dollar of gas.

What's Playing at Amerant Bank Arena in 2025–2026

The arena runs on a year-round calendar, and several dates are the kind where parking sells out and rideshare demand spikes well before the final buzzer. The events Parkland groups ask us about most:

  • Florida Panthers 2025–26 regular season: The defending Stanley Cup champions open the home schedule in October with a championship banner raise and carry one of the deepest rosters in the league through April. Saturday nights and rivalry matchups against Boston, Tampa Bay, and Toronto sell out the fastest — book your bus as soon as your game dates are confirmed.
  • Panthers playoff run (April–June): The Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final in three of the past four seasons. Playoff nights at Amerant Bank Arena are the single most chaotic transportation scenario the arena sees — Gate 7 fills early, the Panther Parkway approach locks up two hours before puck drop, and post-game rideshare waits regularly exceed 45 minutes. A charter bus from Parkland is not just convenient on playoff nights; it is the plan that actually works.
  • Major concert tours: The arena hosts stadium-scale touring acts through the Live Nation calendar all year. For concerts, the gate and lot assignments are the same as hockey nights, and the I-595 westbound approach can back up significantly on Friday and Saturday shows. Book at least 4–6 weeks out for major acts; top-tier headliners sell bus transportation weeks before the show date.
  • Family shows and special events: Ice shows, WWE, and touring family productions draw large groups with kids and seniors who especially benefit from a single point of pickup and drop-off instead of multiple cars and multiple parking transactions.

For playoff games: the best vehicles in the Broward County supply are typically committed within two weeks of a playoff berth announcement. If the Panthers are in the postseason and you have not booked, call 754-290-8870 immediately — this is the one window where waiting costs you real options.

Leaving Amerant Bank Arena After the Game

Getting out of Amerant Bank Arena after the game follows a predictable pattern, and knowing it in advance is what separates an easy exit from a 45-minute crawl. When 19,000-plus fans hit the lots at once, Panther Parkway backs up northbound immediately. The arena's preferred exit for Lot D — which is where your bus parks — routes toward Salerno Drive and the Sawgrass Expressway on-ramp, which is the fastest path back toward Parkland and points north.

Cars in Lot A tend to fight their way east toward I-595 and Florida's Turnpike, which has its own queue.

With a bus, none of that is your problem. Your group agrees on a post-game pickup window when you book — say, 20 minutes after the final buzzer — and the bus is right there in Lot D2 when the group walks out. No one is circling for a parking spot they forgot, no one is reading surge pricing on a phone screen, and the whole crew is on the Sawgrass and heading north while the individual cars are still inching toward the exit booth.

That is the concrete advantage of a Parkland bus rental on a packed event night.

Tips for Visiting Amerant Bank Arena

A few things every first-timer and returning group organizer should know before game night:

  • Cashless venue — cards only: The arena went cashless in 2023. Both the concession stands and the parking lots require cards or mobile payments. No cash is accepted anywhere on the property.
  • Bag policy: Amerant Bank Arena strongly discourages bringing bags. If you must bring one, bags are restricted to 4" × 6" × 1.5". Bag lockers are available outside the main entrance at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs. No outside food or beverages are permitted inside.
  • Arrive 90 minutes early for big games: Lots open 2 hours before puck drop, but the final 30 minutes before game time sees a surge of traffic on Panther Parkway. For playoff games and Saturday night sellouts, 90 minutes gives your group time to tailgate, get through entry, and find seats before the anthems.
  • Pre-purchase parking if you drive: On-site lots accept cards at the gate, but pre-purchasing through SeatGeek or another authorized reseller typically saves $10–$20 per vehicle and skips a line. The pre-purchase link for Panthers parking is available through SeatGeek's Panthers parking page.
  • The Sawgrass Mills walk is farther than it looks: Free (or validation-eligible) parking at Sawgrass Mills is roughly a quarter mile from the arena entrance — not unreasonable in good weather, but a real consideration if your group includes older guests or anyone with mobility concerns, especially at 11 PM after a three-hour game. The bus handles this by delivering everyone to Gate 7 and picking them up from the same spot.
  • Lot D is the better exit for Parkland groups: If your group drives, Lot D2 via Gate 7 puts you closest to the Salerno Drive exit and the Sawgrass Expressway northbound — the fastest route back to Coral Springs and Parkland after the game.

Trip Types That Work Well for a Parkland Group

Different groups, same arena, same goal: everyone arrives together and gets home without a logistics disaster. A few of the runs we coordinate most often for South Florida groups:

  • Panthers fan groups and season-ticket holders: Regulars who attend 10 to 20+ games per season know the parking math by January — and they are the groups most likely to have already switched to a bus for weeknight games. A 15-to-35-passenger minibus from Parkland keeps the crew together and makes every home game a proper night out.
  • Office and corporate outings: Companies hosting client events in the suite or club level book a charter bus so every guest arrives at the same time with zero navigation stress. See our Parkland corporate event transportation for multi-stop itineraries.
  • Birthday celebrations: A milestone birthday combined with a Panthers game is a guest fave — the party bus ride over is part of the night, with LED lighting and a built-in sound system already doing the work before puck drop. See our Parkland birthday party bus service.
  • Concert groups: Touring acts at Amerant Bank Arena draw fans from Parkland, Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, and Boca Raton who want the ride to be part of the event — not an afterthought. A concert bus rental from Parkland keeps the group together from the first song to last call at a nearby bar after the show.
  • School and youth group trips: Youth hockey leagues, school sports programs, and organized student outings to watch the Panthers play benefit from a single bus that picks up at school or a central location and delivers the group to Gate 7 curbside — no parent carpool required.

Booking Your Bus From Parkland to Amerant Bank Arena

Booking a Parkland bus rental to Amerant Bank Arena is straightforward, and a little lead time makes every detail easier:

  1. Request a quote with your group size, pickup location in Parkland or nearby, your event date, and roughly how long you want the bus — including pre-game arrival time and how long post-game you typically stay.
  2. Confirm the vehicle and the Gate 7 drop: We lock in the right vehicle and verify current event-specific routing for your date, since concert drop-offs and hockey nights can differ slightly at the arena's direction.
  3. Set your post-game pickup window: Agree in advance on a meeting spot and a time so the bus is parked in Lot D2 and ready when your group walks out — no regrouping at a crowded rideshare zone.

Ready to lock in your date? Call 754-290-8870 any time — or use the online tool for an all-inclusive price quote in under 30 seconds, with no obligation to book.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does a charter bus drop off and park at Amerant Bank Arena?

Per the Florida Panthers' official parking page, charter buses enter through Gate 7 and park in Lot D2 on the west side of the arena. The published bus parking cost is $75 per vehicle. Lot D2 is a straightforward walk to the arena's main entrance — significantly shorter than the quarter-mile crossing from Sawgrass Mills.

All lots open 2 hours before puck drop and are cashless, so cards only.

Where does the rideshare drop off at Amerant Bank Arena?

Lyft and Uber vehicles drop passengers at Gate 3, near the North Pedestrian Walkway. Those cars exit via Gate 2 and return to Gate 3 for post-event pickups. Post-game rideshare waits average 15 to 30 minutes — during playoff games and sold-out concerts, that stretches longer.

A charter bus from Parkland means your group walks out to a waiting bus in Lot D2 instead of standing in a surge-priced app queue at Gate 3.

How far is Amerant Bank Arena from Parkland?

About 15 to 18 miles, depending on your exact starting point in Parkland. Via the Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869) south and I-595 west, it is typically a 20-to-30-minute drive off-peak. On game nights and concert evenings, budget 40 to 50 minutes — Panther Parkway backs up in the final two miles before the arena.

How much does it cost to park at Amerant Bank Arena?

General A Lot and D Lot parking costs $40 plus tax per car, Club Lots run $50 plus tax, and valet is $60 plus tax. Charter buses park in Lot D2 at $75 per bus. No cash is accepted — cards only.

Pre-purchasing through SeatGeek can save $10 to $20 per car over gate prices. We recommend verifying current rates on the official Amerant Bank Arena parking page before your event.

Is there free parking near Amerant Bank Arena?

Sawgrass Mills mall, directly across the street, has historically offered parking to fans — though the mall now charges $30 for concerts and Panthers games (waived with $30+ in same-day mall spending). The walk from the mall's north lot to the arena entrance is roughly a quarter mile, and fans cross Panther Parkway with help from traffic control officers. For groups with older guests or families with kids, that crossing at 11 PM after a game is less appealing than stepping onto a waiting bus at Gate 7.

How much does a bus rental from Parkland to Amerant Bank Arena cost?

Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours (including the pre-game arrival window and post-game wait), your specific pickup location in Parkland, and the event date. To anchor your estimate: 14-passenger Sprinter limos run $170–$344/hour; 15-to-35-passenger minibuses run approximately $150–$280/hour; and 40-to-56-passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour. The arena's $75 bus parking cost is separate.

Call 754-290-8870 or use our online tool for a real all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds — no obligation to book.

How early should the bus arrive before a Panthers game?

Aim to arrive at Gate 7 at least 90 minutes before puck drop for a regular-season game — 2 hours for playoffs, major concerts, or any Saturday night sellout when the final approach on Panther Parkway backs up the longest. The lots open 2 hours before games, so building in that buffer also gives your group time to tailgate in Lot D, get through security, and settle into seats before the warmup skate begins.

Do you have ADA-accessible buses?

Yes. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available — just let us know your group's specific needs before your departure date and we will arrange the right vehicle from our network.

What is the bag policy at Amerant Bank Arena?

The arena strongly discourages bringing bags. If a bag is required, it must not exceed 4" × 6" × 1.5". No outside food or beverages are permitted inside the arena.

Bag lockers are available outside the main entrance at the bottom of the Publix Plaza stairs. See the official Amerant Bank Arena security policies page for current rules before your visit.

Book Your Parkland Bus to Amerant Bank Arena Today

Whether it is a Panthers playoff run, a once-a-year concert night, or a season's worth of regular-season home games, Party Bus Rental Parkland gives your Parkland group access to a fleet of party buses, charter buses, minibuses, and Sprinter vans sized for any group. Your bus enters Gate 7, parks in Lot D2, and is parked and waiting when the final buzzer sounds — while everyone else is still fighting the Panther Parkway crawl back to I-595. Give us a call any time at 754-290-8870 for an all-inclusive price quote, or use our online tool for instant availability.

Let's get your group there together.

Sources

Parking prices, gate assignments, and arena policies change by season and event. Details in this guide were verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm current figures before your visit.