BREAKING NEWS: the Florida Panthers CEO Matthew Caldwell make decisions of returning their playing grand from Amerant Bank Arena back to Miami Arena owing to the fact…..see more
In a bold and unexpected move, Florida Panthers CEO **Matthew Caldwell** has announced that the franchise will **return to their original home at the historic Miami Arena**, ending a decades-long era at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise.
The decision, Caldwell said during a press conference held earlier today, is part of a “strategic and symbolic return to the Panthers’ roots,” aiming to reignite fan passion and reconnect with Miami’s downtown core.
> **“It’s time we brought the heart of hockey back to the heart of Miami,”** Caldwell stated. “The landscape has changed, the city has evolved, and our fan base is ready to come home.”
### 📍 From Suburb to City
The Florida Panthers have played at **Amerant Bank Arena (formerly BB\&T Center)** in Sunrise since 1998. While the arena has seen major renovations and hosted major events over the years, attendance and engagement have struggled at times due to the arena’s distance from Miami’s urban center.
Miami Arena, which opened in 1988 and once housed the Panthers during their inaugural NHL seasons in the early 1990s, has since undergone redevelopment. According to sources close to the organization, the site has been retrofitted with state-of-the-art amenities and expanded to meet NHL standards once again.
### 🏒 Fan-Centric Vision
Caldwell emphasized the move is part of a larger initiative to strengthen the Panthers’ connection with their fan base and increase accessibility.
> “We’ve listened to our fans,” he said. “There’s an overwhelming desire for a more centralized, vibrant game-day experience — one that lives in the city, not the suburbs.”
The move is also expected to boost tourism and local business in downtown Miami, which city officials welcomed enthusiastically.
### 💬 Mixed Reactions
While many fans are thrilled about the return to the Miami Arena area, others expressed concern about traffic, parking, and nostalgia for the long-time home in Sunrise.
Season ticket holder Jennifer Morales, 38, shared her excitement:
> “I grew up going to games at Miami Arena. This feels like going back to where it all began — it’s emotional.”
But others, like Broward County resident Mike Halpern, had mixed feelings:
> “Amerant Bank Arena is a beautiful venue. I hope they don’t forget what we built there over the years.”
### 📆 Timeline & What’s Next
The Panthers will finish out the 2025 season at Amerant Bank Arena before officially making the move for the **2026-27 NHL season**. The revamped Miami Arena — rumored to be rebranded with a new name — is expected to open its doors in **September 2026**.
The NHL has yet to issue a formal statement, but sources say league officials have approved the relocation plan pending final infrastructure reviews.
### 🧊 Stay tuned for updates as this story develops. For now, the Florida Panthers are preparing to make history — again — where it all began.
