Getting your crew from Boynton Beach to Amerant Bank Arena should be the easy part of the night. But if you have ever tried to coordinate four or five separate cars across 40 miles of South Florida highway traffic, found your group scattered across two different parking lots, or watched one person bail on the pregame because they had to stay sober to drive — you already know it rarely goes that way. This guide covers everything a group trip to Amerant Bank Arena actually needs: where the bus drops off, where it parks, what the lots cost, how long the ride takes, and how to arrive as one crew instead of a fragmented caravan.
We cover this run from Boynton Beach regularly at Party Bus Boynton Beach, so the logistics below come from doing it, not from a brochure.
Arena address
1 Panther Parkway, Sunrise, FL 33323
Charter bus entrance
Gate 1 or Gate 7 → Lot D2
Bus parking cost
$150 per bus (pre-paid recommended)
From Boynton Beach
~40 miles · ~44 minutes off-peak
Arena capacity
19,250 for NHL · 70 suites · 2,623 club seats
Panthers titles
Back-to-back Stanley Cup champions (2024 & 2025)
About Amerant Bank Arena
Amerant Bank Arena sits in Sunrise, Florida — about midway between Fort Lauderdale and the western edge of Broward County — and has been the home of the Florida Panthers since the arena opened in 1998. The venue has gone through several naming rights deals over the years, but the building itself is one of South Florida's premier large-scale entertainment venues, capable of hosting NHL hockey for 19,250 fans and scaling for concerts and other events.
The Panthers enter the 2026-27 season as back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, having won consecutive titles in 2024 and 2025 — the first team to pull that off since the Tampa Bay Lightning did it in 2020 and 2021. If you have been waiting for a reason to make the trip down from Palm Beach County with a group, a defending champion on home ice is as good as it gets. The arena also books major concert tours, family shows, and special events throughout the year, making it one of the busiest arenas in Florida outside of a typical sports season.
Getting to Amerant Bank Arena from Boynton Beach
The most direct route from Boynton Beach runs south on I-95 to the Sawgrass Expressway, then west and south to the Oakland Park Boulevard exit, right onto Flamingo Road, and right onto Panther Parkway — the arena is about a half mile down on the right. Alternatively, I-595 west to Exit 1 (136th Avenue) and then north to Panther Parkway also works well depending on where you are coming from. The drive is roughly 40 miles and 44 minutes under normal conditions.
Game nights change that math significantly. Florida Panthers games regularly sell out, and 19,000-plus fans funneling into the same corner of Sunrise means the Sawgrass and every road feeding Panther Parkway can back up 45 minutes to an hour before puck drop. On a Saturday night game or a major concert, add another 20 to 30 minutes to your estimate and plan accordingly.
Arriving as one group on a single bus means you sidestep the parking lot scramble entirely — one vehicle parks, everyone walks in together, and nobody ends up circling the D Lot for 25 minutes.
Charter Bus Drop-Off, Parking, and Pickup at Amerant Bank Arena
Here is the specific detail most group trip pages either get wrong or skip entirely. According to the Amerant Bank Arena directions and parking page, charter buses enter through Gate 1 or Gate 7 and park in Lot D2. The bus parking fee is $150 for any bus or large vehicle occupying more than two spaces.
Pre-paid parking through SeatGeek is strongly recommended — it saves time and guarantees your spot on a sold-out night when the lots fill early.
For drop-off, charter buses put passengers at the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance. Post-event, the bus picks your group up at the northern end of the North Pedestrian Walkway — so everyone knows exactly where to regroup when the game ends, no hunting around a dark parking lot. Rideshare passengers use Gate 3 for drop-off and pickup, and rideshare vehicles exit through Gate 2 following events.
Knowing which entrance is yours keeps the group moving instead of wandering.
The one-line version: charter buses enter at Gate 1 or Gate 7, park in Lot D2 for $150, drop and pick up at the North Pedestrian Walkway. That detail — published by the arena — is what keeps 30 people together instead of scattered across three entrances.
Parking Costs at Amerant Bank Arena
For comparison, here is what individual cars pay on game night so you can see the value in sharing one bus. General parking in A Lot and D Lot runs $40 plus tax at the gate. Club parking in B, C, and F Lots is $50 plus tax.
Valet is $60 plus tax. Lots open two hours before puck drop and stay open one hour after the final buzzer.
Run the numbers on a group of 25 people arriving in separate cars — five or six vehicles, each paying $40 to $50, parked in different corners of the lot, and then trying to find each other at midnight after the game. One bus at $150 for parking, everyone exits together at the North Pedestrian Walkway, and the math is obvious. The arena's 7,200 on-site parking spaces including 200 enclosed spots fill fast for Panthers playoff-level demand, so pre-purchasing your bus parking pass ahead of time is not optional — it is the plan.
Which Bus Works for Your Group?
The right vehicle for an Amerant Bank Arena run comes down to headcount and how much energy you want built into the ride itself. Here is how the fleet breaks down.
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Small group, suite holders, VIP nights | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Mid-size crews, corporate groups | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Fan groups wanting the rolling pregame | Built-in bar, LED lighting, premium sound system, TVs |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Large groups, corporate outings | Reclining seats, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage storage |
For most Panthers game groups coming down from Boynton Beach, a party bus is the move — the built-in bar and sound system mean the pregame starts the moment everyone boards, and nobody has to stay sober to drive. For corporate groups or larger parties, a full-size charter bus gives you deep storage bays, WiFi, and reclining seats for the 40-mile ride. ADA-accessible vehicles are always available — just mention it when you reach out so we can match the right bus to your group.
The Bag Policy — Know It Before You Go
Amerant Bank Arena enforces a strict no-bag policy that catches first-timers off guard. According to the arena's security policies, no purses, backpacks, cinch bags, or sling bags are allowed inside. Only small clutches, crossbodies, or wristlets measuring 4 inches x 6 inches x 1.5 inches or smaller are permitted.
Exceptions apply for diaper bags, breast pump bags, and medically necessary bags — all subject to search and screening.
The arena recommends arriving early and traveling light. Pass this along to your group before game day, because showing up with a standard purse or backpack means an extra stop at the bag check near the entrance or, more likely, a trip back to the bus. Knowing it ahead of time is one fewer thing to sort out at the gate.
Panthers Games vs. Concerts: What Changes?
The core logistics — Gate 1 or Gate 7 for buses, Lot D2, North Pedestrian Walkway for drop-off and pickup — apply to most events at Amerant Bank Arena. But a few details shift depending on what is on the calendar.
For Florida Panthers NHL games, lots open two hours before puck drop and the arena draws close to capacity on weeknight games thanks to the team's back-to-back championship run. Playoff games sell out entirely. Plan to arrive at least two hours early to clear the Sawgrass and Panther Parkway traffic before it peaks.
For major concerts, the arena hosts touring acts throughout the year. The 2026 calendar includes events like Disney On Ice Spotlight Magic on September 13 and additional national touring acts through the fall. Concert crowds tend to arrive closer to doors than sports crowds, which means a different traffic pattern — but the same Panther Parkway bottleneck applies.
Always confirm specific drop-off and bus parking arrangements for non-hockey events when you book, since load-in and production schedules can shift the available access points.
Why a Bus Beats Rideshare for This Trip
The arena's rideshare pickup is at Gate 3, which sounds simple enough — until the game ends and 19,000 people open Lyft simultaneously. Post-event surge pricing at Amerant Bank Arena is a well-documented reality in South Florida, and wait times after a sold-out game or major concert can stretch 30 to 45 minutes. The Lyft partnership with the arena even offers a promotional discount to steer fans toward rideshare — which tells you something about how crowded the curbside gets.
With a private bus, your pickup is already arranged. The bus stages in Lot D2, your group walks to the north end of the North Pedestrian Walkway as planned, and you are on the road while everyone else is still watching their app spin. For a group coming from Boynton Beach, that difference — 40 miles home with a 45-minute post-game wait versus boarding a waiting bus — is the clearest argument for booking ahead.
Getting There from Boynton Beach and Nearby Areas
If your group is gathering from multiple spots across Palm Beach County, a charter bus pickup loop actually simplifies the whole thing. Start in Boynton Beach, add a stop in Boca Raton or Delray Beach, and arrive in Sunrise together without anyone driving separately. The Sawgrass Expressway connects Palm Beach County directly to the Sunrise area, making a single coordinated route straightforward.
Groups coming from West Palm Beach or heading out from Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) can add an airport stop to the run — useful for company outing groups flying in for the game or fans making a weekend trip of the Panthers schedule. The ride from PBI to Amerant Bank Arena is roughly 45 to 50 miles and about an hour off-peak.
Sample Group Trips to Amerant Bank Arena
Panthers game night from Boynton Beach. A group of 28 fans books a party bus, picks up in Boynton Beach at 5:30 PM for a 7:30 PM puck drop. The music is going, the jerseys are on, and the pregame is underway before the bus hits I-95.
The bus clears Panther Parkway by 7:00 PM, drops everyone at the North Pedestrian Walkway, and stages in Lot D2 for the post-game pickup at the north end of the walkway. Everyone is back in Boynton Beach before midnight — compared to two hours of traffic and Uber surges for anyone who drove separately.
Corporate group, suite seats. A Boca Raton company books a 40-passenger charter bus for a client outing. Pickup at the office, stops at a hotel in Boynton Beach, and arrival at the arena two hours early for pregame in the suite.
The bus parks in D2 and runs a return trip to the hotel after the game — no one navigating South Florida roads after a long client evening, no expense-report parking nightmare.
Concert weekend. A group of 22 heading to a fall arena show books a party bus for the night. The ride there is part of the experience — music playing, lights going, nobody driving.
Post-show pickup at the walkway gets everyone home before the parking lot even clears.
Tips Before You Go
- Pre-buy your bus parking pass. The arena strongly recommends pre-paid parking through SeatGeek. For charter buses at $150, do not show up expecting to pay at the gate on a sold-out night — confirm the pass in advance when you book transportation.
- Plan to enter through Gate 1 or Gate 7. Those are the designated charter bus entrances. Arriving at a different gate adds unnecessary back-and-forth on a crowded game night.
- Brief your group on the bag policy. No bags larger than 4x6 inches. Telling people ahead of time saves a frustrating gate stop or a trip back to the bus.
- Build in two hours before puck drop. The Sawgrass and Panther Parkway back up well before game time. For playoff games or major concerts, go even earlier.
- Agree on a post-game meeting spot before the game. The north end of the North Pedestrian Walkway is where charter buses stage for pickup — make sure everyone knows this before they scatter after the final whistle.
- Lots open two hours before puck drop and close one hour after the game. Plan your post-game departure within that window so the bus can get out cleanly.
Other Venues Worth Adding to the Night
Amerant Bank Arena is about 20 minutes from Fort Lauderdale's Las Olas dining strip, making a pre-game dinner stop straightforward on a party bus or charter. For groups doing a full South Florida sports weekend, Amerant Bank Arena pairs naturally with a Marlins game at loanDepot park in Miami or a Heat game at Kaseya Center — both reachable from Boynton Beach on the same trip with a multi-stop itinerary. If your group is staying overnight, The Breakers Palm Beach is about an hour from the arena and a natural home base for a Palm Beach County group making a destination night of a Panthers game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus park at Amerant Bank Arena?
Charter buses enter through Gate 1 or Gate 7 and park in Lot D2. The parking fee is $150 for any bus or large vehicle occupying more than two parking spaces. Pre-paid parking is strongly recommended — purchase through SeatGeek before game day.
For drop-off and post-event pickup, buses use the North Pedestrian Walkway.
How far is Boynton Beach from Amerant Bank Arena?
The drive is roughly 40 miles and about 44 minutes under normal conditions. On game nights with a full arena, plan for significantly more time on the Sawgrass Expressway and Panther Parkway. Arriving two or more hours before puck drop keeps the group clear of the worst of the pre-game traffic.
Can a party bus or charter bus drop us off at the arena entrance?
Yes. Charter buses drop passengers off at the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance via Gate 1 or Gate 7. That puts your group steps from the arena without a long walk across a parking lot.
Post-event pickup happens at the northern end of the same walkway.
What is the bag policy at Amerant Bank Arena?
No purses, backpacks, or bags larger than 4 inches by 6 inches by 1.5 inches are allowed inside. Small clutches and wristlets within that size are permitted. Diaper bags, breast pump bags, and medically necessary bags are exceptions.
All bags are subject to search.
How much does it cost to rent a party bus or charter bus from Boynton Beach to Amerant Bank Arena?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours, and the date. For a real number specific to your group size and game date, call Party Bus Boynton Beach at 728-233-2840 or use the online quote tool for an instant price. The bus parking at the arena ($150) is a separate cost from the rental itself.
Is Amerant Bank Arena worth visiting beyond Florida Panthers games?
Absolutely. The arena books major national concert tours, family shows like Disney On Ice, and other large-scale events throughout the year. The group transportation logistics — Gate 1 or Gate 7, Lot D2, North Pedestrian Walkway — apply to non-hockey events as well, though it is always worth confirming event-specific access points when the show involves a large production footprint.
Book Your Amerant Bank Arena Group Trip
The Panthers are defending champions, the arena is full most nights, and the drive from Boynton Beach is 40 miles of South Florida highway traffic that nobody wants to navigate alone after a playoff win. One call to Party Bus Boynton Beach at 728-233-2840 handles the vehicle, the route, and the coordination — so your group shows up together, parks once, and gets home without the 45-minute post-game Uber wait. Whether it is a game night with 15 people or a company outing for 50, we can match the right bus to the trip.
See pricing or call us now at 728-233-2840 for an instant quote.
Sources
- Amerant Bank Arena — Directions & Parking (charter bus gates, lot assignments, parking costs)
- Amerant Bank Arena — Security Policies (bag policy details)
- Florida Panthers — Official Parking Information
- ParkingAccess — Florida Panthers Parking Guide 2026
- Itinerant Fan — Amerant Bank Arena Guide 2026
