Going to a Florida Panthers Game? Here’s How to Fan Like a Local

The Panthers open the 2026-27 season Sept. 29 against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, but there are plenty of home games in Sunrise to add to your calendar.
Nov. 17 is a standout. The Edmonton Oilers return to Amerant Bank Arena after meeting Florida in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025. If you want a game with a heated rivalry attached, this is definitely the one for you. Then there’s Nov. 28, when the Tampa Bay Lightning come to town for another Battle of Florida matchup.
Theme nights are worth planning around, too. Pink in the Rink hits Oct. 17, Star Wars Night is Nov. 4, and Military Appreciation follows on Nov. 12. Hockey Holidays runs Dec. 8-21, Kids Day lands Feb. 20, and there’s a mystery theme night set for March 2.
Planning a game-day surprise? You can arrange a scoreboard message in advance or request an appearance from Stanley C. Panther for a birthday, anniversary or another special occasion.

A Panthers jersey is always an easy choice, but you don’t need one to look the part. Red works, too, and you’ll spot fans in team hats, shirts and rat-themed accessories. Just remember that the South Florida weather won’t come with you inside. Amerant Bank Arena can feel chilly once you’re sitting beside a sheet of ice for a couple of hours, so bring a light layer even if your day started in shorts and sandals.

The arena sits across from Sawgrass Mills, giving you a few easy pregame options nearby.

Yard House at Sawgrass Mills is a solid pick for draft beer, burgers, wings, and lots of TVs. Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill brings that familiar sports bar feel, with ribs, seafood, cold drinks, and no shortage of green cups in circulation.

Quarterdeck Restaurant + Sports Bar in Plantation is another casual option if you’re coming from farther east, with a menu that works well when nobody in the group wants the same thing.

Just don’t linger too long. Traffic picks up before the game, and you’ll want a little breathing room to look around once you’re inside.
 

There’s a lot to take in before the puck drops, so don’t rush straight to your seat. Make your way down toward the glass for warmups, where watching the players fly around gives you a much better feel for the speed of the game up close.
Then take a lap around the arena. Near Section 118 on the Plaza Level, Jameson Crossbar leans into team history with replica locker stalls and memorabilia cases. A few sections over near Section 122, Inside the Boards is the one for serious fans. It’s not your standard team store. Think game-used sticks, autographed jerseys, locker-room-issued gear, and limited-edition collectibles.

And if you want a beer before heading back, stop by the Funky Buddha taproom for a pour from the Oakland Park brewery.

One Panthers tradition you’ll want to know happens before the puck even drops. When the singer gets to “the rockets’ red glare” during the national anthem, the whole arena shouts “RED!”

That’s it. That’s the assignment.

Another moment to watch for is Heroes Among Us, when the Panthers recognize a military servicemember during the game. The honorees are often distinguished veterans with remarkable stories, and the standing ovation that follows can become one of the most memorable parts of the night.

If you see fans carrying plastic rats into Amerant Bank Arena, there’s a story behind it.

The tradition started in 1995, when Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room with his stick before going on to score two goals that night. Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck dubbed it a “Rat Trick,” and a Panthers tradition was born.

Today, plastic rats are part of Panthers culture. Fans bring them to games, customize them and even wear rat-themed accessories. The most important thing to know is when to throw them: after a Panthers win, not after a goal. Stick around after the final horn, and you might get to watch the ice fill with one of the team’s most recognizable traditions.