Overview

FLA Live Arena is a multi-purpose sports arena located in Sunrise, Florida. The facility opened on October 3, 1998 and serves as the primary home ice for the National Hockey League franchise the Florida Panthers, a member of the National Hockey League. Built to host a mix of professional sports, concerts and large-scale public events, the arena is a central indoor venue in Broward County and the South Florida region.

Names and naming rights

The arena has gone through several official names since opening. Early references included a civic designation, and subsequent corporate naming-rights agreements produced names that reflected sponsorship partners. On various occasions it has been identified as the Broward County Civic Arena, the National Car Rental Center, the Office Depot Center, the BankAtlantic Center, and the BB&T Center. In 2021 the arena adopted the temporary name FLA Live Arena after the previous naming contract ended; until a long-term partner is secured that provisional name remains in use.

Facilities and capacity

The venue was designed as a modern indoor bowl with seating configured for both ice hockey and court-based events. For basketball the listed capacity is approximately 20,737 spectators, while hockey configurations accommodate roughly 17,040 fans. Like many contemporary arenas, it includes premium seating areas such as club seats and suites, concession and hospitality spaces, locker-room facilities suitable for professional teams, and infrastructure to support touring production requirements for concerts and shows.

Tenants and notable uses

Its principal tenant is the NHL’s Florida Panthers. The building has also hosted other professional indoor teams in the past, including clubs in alternative basketball and arena football leagues. Historic tenants have included the short-lived Florida Pit Bulls of the ABA and the Florida Bobcats of the AFL. Beyond team sports, the arena regularly stages national concert tours, family productions, community events and occasional collegiate or special sporting events.

History and context

Constructed in the late 1990s, the arena opened during a period of growth in South Florida sports and entertainment infrastructure. Naming-rights agreements have reflected evolving corporate sponsorship in the region; for example, a naming relationship with BB&T ended after that bank completed a corporate merger and elected not to renew the agreement. The venue continues to operate as a regional entertainment center and contributes to the local economy through event-related tourism and year-round programming.

For event schedules, ticket information and the latest announcements about naming-rights partnerships, consult the arena's official channels and authorized ticket outlets. Additional historical and logistical details are available through local government and sports archives that document the arena's development and role in the region's entertainment landscape. For official venue technical specifications or to inquire about hosting an event, contact the arena management through their public information resources.

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