Bank Atlantic Center
The Bank Atlantic Center, previously known as Broward County Civic Arena, National Car Rental Arena, and Office Depot Center, is located in Sunrise, Florida, 37 miles north of Miami and 12 miles west of Ft Lauderdale. After H. Wayne Huizenga acquired the Florida Panthers hockey franchise in 1993, construction on the new arena began in 1996. At a cost of more than $212 million, the majority obtained from public financing, and with over two million man-hours, the 872,000 square foot indoor arena was completed in time for the opening home game in October 1998. Designed by architects Ellerbe Beckett and completed in 26 months, this was a record time for construction of an NHL arena.
The Bank Atlantic is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment center with 19,452 hockey seats, 2,300 club seats, and a capacity to seat over 20,000 for family shows, basketball, center stage, and other special events. In addition to the Panthers’ home games, the Center is a venue for ice shows, concerts, circuses, and trade shows, as well as for boxing and wrestling events such as Bash at the Beach and Armageddon held in 1999. There are 70 suites in the Center, each one averaging over 650 square feet, equipped with wet bars, closed circuit monitors, and leather seating. With an eight-sided scoreboard and four video replay boards, viewing is excellent from any seat in the arena.
The Sinatra Theater opened with Liza Minnelli on October 8, 2005 as a part of the Bank Atlantic Center. With 3,000 seats set aside in one end for intimacy and great acoustics, this performing arts theater presents entertainers, musicians, and bands in an exclusive setting. Events are scheduled on an average of two or three times a month and include performances by top stars such as Woody Allen and the New Orleans Jazz Band, Paul Anka, Tom Jones, Christina Aguilera, Placido Domingo, and Trisha Yearwood. Purchase of a subscription series to the Sinatra Theater includes 12 shows, 10 tickets to Panthers games, VIP parking, assigned seating, and the opportunity to meet the performers.
There are a number of informal bars within the Bank Atlantic Center including the Absolut Ice Bar, the Cruzan Rum bar, Miller Lite Grab n Go, the Budweiser Terrace, and the Presidente Club. Concession stands are located at three food courts on both the Plaza and Mezzanine levels, in addition to patio dining outside the Plaza level. Full season ticket holders, suite and club seat owners, and Sinatra Theater subscribers have the advantage of enjoying the buffet and bar at the Chairman’s Club at the Suite Level, Stanley’s Restaurant at the Lexus Club level, or the Patron Tequila Platinum, a sports bar at the Suite Level. These facilities are open an hour and a half before and an hour after the games. The Bank Atlantic also offers a private WCI Communities Club, which provides its membership with full VIP privileges, event tickets, food and beverage service, designated parking, special seating, two bars, two lounges, and personalized customer service. In addition, the Center has 12 separate function areas that can be rented for private parties, receptions, and seminars, with catering available by Boston Culinary Group
Tickets: Box offices located north and south of main entrance of the Center. Open Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday event days. Also available at ticketmaster online or by calling: Box office – (954) 835-7825; booking arrangements – (954) 835-8359.
Parking: 7,600 parking spaces (90 for handicapped). Wheelchair accessible at the Plaza Level Entry gates and the Lexus garage.