The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Panthers play their home games at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
The Panthers first took to the ice as an expansion team in 1993 and made a rapid rise to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals in only their third season. They have won one conference championship and two division titles since their inception. While the Panthers have yet to capture the elusive Stanley Cup, they remain a competitive franchise in the NHL and have a loyal fanbase in South Florida.
An important element for any professional sports franchise is how fans can purchase tickets to attend home games. NHL teams partner with ticket providers to sell tickets to the general public. For the Florida Panthers, their current ticket provider is Ticketmaster.
The History of the Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers entered the NHL as an expansion team in 1993 along with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The Tampa Bay Lightning had begun play one year earlier in 1992 as the first NHL franchise in Florida.
The Panthers played their first game on October 6, 1993 at the Miami Arena, losing 4-4 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Scott Mellanby scored the first goal in franchise history and later in the season killed a rat in the locker room with his stick, leading to fans throwing plastic rats on the ice to celebrate Panthers goals, a tradition that continues to this day.
In only their third season, the Panthers advanced to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals behind the play of stars like John Vanbiesbrouck, Scott Mellanby, Rob Niedermayer, and Ed Jovanovski. They were swept in the Finals by the Colorado Avalanche but their rapid success showed the potential of ice hockey in South Florida.
After some lean years in the late 1990s, the Panthers acquired star goaltender Roberto Luongo and returned to the postseason in 2000. With Luongo between the pipes, Florida won their first division championship in 2012 before missing the playoffs the following season.
In recent seasons, the Panthers have rebuilt into a contender led by forwards Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aaron Ekblad. They won the Atlantic Division in 2016 and 2022, showing they are once again an emerging force in the Eastern Conference under GM Bill Zito and head coach Paul Maurice.
While the Stanley Cup has remained elusive, the Panthers have established themselves as a competitive franchise with a track record of postseason appearances since entering the league in 1993. With young talent on the rise, the future continues to look bright in South Florida.
Inaugural Season and Early Years (1993-1996)
Trip to the Stanley Cup Finals (1995-1996)
Post-Finals and New Arena (1996-1998)
Lean Years (1998-2000)
Roberto Luongo Era (2000-2006)
Post-Lockout Struggles (2005-2011)
First Division Title (2011-2012)
Recent Success and Playoff Runs (2016-Present)
About FLA Live Arena
The Florida Panthers have called FLA Live Arena home since 1998. The arena is located in Sunrise, Florida, just west of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.
FLA Live Arena was initially known as the National Car Rental Center when it opened in 1998 with the capacity for over 19,000 fans. The naming rights were purchased by the BankAtlantic Corporation in 2005, leading to it being called the BankAtlantic Center from 2005 to 2012.
After BB&T purchased BankAtlantic, the arena was renamed to BB&T Center in 2012. In 2016, the naming rights were acquired by the BB&T Center’s parent company Sunrise Sports and Entertainment, and the venue was renamed simply the Panthers Arena.
In 2022, cryptocurrency exchange FTX acquired naming rights for $135 million over 19 years. So today the home of the Florida Panthers is officially known as FLA Live Arena.
In addition to the Panthers, FLA Live Arena has hosted concerts, WWE events, tennis tournaments, and more over the years. Notable performers have included bands like the Rolling Stones as well as solo artists such as Elton John.
With a capacity of over 19,000 for hockey games, FLA Live Arena provides an exciting atmosphere for Panthers fans to cheer on their team. The arena has also hosted major events like the NHL Draft and NHL All-Star Game in addition to the Panthers’ home games.
Key Facts and Figures
- Location: Sunrise, Florida
- Opened: 1998
- Seating Capacity: 19,250 for hockey
- Original Name: National Car Rental Center (1998-2005)
- Other Names: BankAtlantic Center (2005-2012), BB&T Center (2012-2016), Panthers Arena (2016-2022)
- Current Name: FLA Live Arena (since 2022)
- Concert Performers: Elton John, Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, more
- Other Events: NHL Draft, NHL All-Star Game, WWE, Tennis
Notable Moments
- First Event: Panthers vs. Lightning on October 9, 1998
- 2003 NHL All-Star Game
- 2007 NCAA Frozen Four
- 2012 NHL Draft
- 2016 NHL All-Star Game
- 2019 Garth Brooks Concert
About Ticketmaster
Ticketmaster is the primary ticket provider for the Florida Panthers. It is the largest ticket marketplace in the world, servicing millions of customers across thousands of venues and events each year.
Founded in 1976, Ticketmaster pioneered the concept of consolidating the computerized ticketing services of multiple venues under one unified system. In the four decades since, the company has become the dominant force in event ticketing worldwide.
Ticketmaster works closely with the Florida Panthers to handle all aspects of ticket sales, distribution and services. This includes things like:
- Exclusive distributor for new tickets sales for Panthers home games
- Operating and managing the official Panthers ticket exchange
- Providing the website infrastructure for Panthers ticket sales
- Offering mobile ticketing and ticket management features for fans
- Maintaining an extensive primary + secondary ticket marketplace
Beyond just the primary marketplace, Ticketmaster also facilitates key secondary ticket services that are useful for Panthers fans:
- Ticket resale through NFL Ticket Exchange
- Transferring or re-selling unused tickets
- Fan-to-fan ticket sales
- Last minute ticket sales
- VIP & premium seating packages
Ticketmaster essentially provides the complete end-to-end ticketing experience for Florida Panthers fans through its suite of services. The partnership provides a seamless and convenient way for fans to purchase tickets, while also giving the Panthers franchise full control and visibility into ticket sales, distribution and fan data.
Key Facts about Ticketmaster
- Founded: 1976 in Phoenix, AZ
- Headquarters: Beverly Hills, CA
- Parent company: Live Nation Entertainment (since 2010)
- Clients: 500+ venue clients, 60+ professional sports teams
- Tickets sold: ~500 million per year
- Websites: Operates in 28 countries
- Services: Primary + secondary ticket sales, analytics, fan data
History and Timeline
- 1976 – Founded as Ticket Reservation Systems in Phoenix
- 1982 – Name changed to Ticketmaster
- 1991 – First NFL team signed (Dallas Cowboys)
- 1996 – Launch first website, ticketmaster.com
- 1998 – Signed exclusive deal with NHL
- 2008 – Partners with Live Nation in merger deal
- 2010 – Merger finalized forming Live Nation Entertainment
- 2016 – Partners with NFL as official ticket exchange
- 2017 – Partners with Panthers as ticketing provider
The Ticketing Process for Florida Panthers Games
For Florida Panthers fans looking to purchase tickets to home games at FLA Live Arena, here is an overview of the ticketing process using Ticketmaster:
Finding Tickets
Fans can browse upcoming Panthers games and available tickets through the main Ticketmaster website or mobile app. There they can view a seating chart of the arena and see all seats available for purchase.
Games are split into categories like regular season and preseason. Ticketmaster shows the full breakdown of available ticket types and locations for each specific game.
Purchasing Tickets
When ready to purchase, fans pick their desired number and location of seats from the tickets available. Ticketmaster shows the different ticket classifications like general admission, VIP, premium, etc.
Fans then checkout through Ticketmaster using an existing account or as a guest. Ticket delivery method can be selected – mobile ticket, print at home, mail, or box office pickup.
Getting Tickets
After purchase, fans get their tickets through the chosen delivery method. Mobile tickets allow fast digital access through the Ticketmaster app. Printable PDF tickets provide hardcopies to fans.
The box office at FLA Live Arena is also available for gameday ticket pickup for those who selected will call delivery during checkout.
Entering the Arena
On game days, fans arrive at FLA Live Arena with their tickets ready. Printed PDF tickets can be scanned at the gate, while mobile tickets simply require opening the barcode in the app to be scanned.
After scanning, fans gain entry to the arena to find their seats and enjoy the action as the Florida Panthers take the ice!
Types of Tickets Offered
Ticketmaster facilitates several different ticket options and classifications for Florida Panthers games including:
- Single game tickets
- Mini plans (multiple games bundled)
- Season tickets and packages
- Group tickets (for 10+ people)
- Suite rentals
- VIP & premium tickets
- Student and military discounts
- Last minute/flex tickets
- ADA accessible seating
This wide range covers all types of fans – from single game attendees to season ticket holders to large groups. Flexible discounts and upgrades are also available.
Benefits of Using Ticketmaster
The Florida Panthers choose to partner with Ticketmaster for their ticketing needs due to the numerous benefits the service provides:
Wide Reach
Ticketmaster offers access to one of the largest ticket distribution networks in the world. Millions of fans across the globe use Ticketmaster to buy tickets. This massive reach exposes Panthers tickets to huge audiences.
Advanced Technology
Ticketmaster continually invests in cutting edge ticketing technology like mobile ticketing and interactive seat maps. This provides a seamless ticket buying experience.
Ticket Resale Options
Fans can safely resell unused tickets through Ticketmaster’s NHL Ticket Exchange. This gives fans flexibility while deterring fraud.
Fan Data & Analytics
Ticketmaster shares valuable sales data and fan analytics with the Panthers. This helps the team better understand their fans.
Full-Service Support
The Panthers get dedicated service teams and account managers from Ticketmaster to support sales and handle all ticketing needs.
Increased Convenience
Ticketmaster makes it extremely easy and convenient for fans to purchase Panthers tickets online in just a few clicks.
By partnering with the leader in event ticketing, the Florida Panthers are able to provide their fans with the best possible ticketing experience. The combination of an international ticketing marketplace, advanced technology, and robust data analytics makes Ticketmaster an ideal ticketing solution.
Conclusion
In summary, Ticketmaster serves as the official ticket provider and marketplace for the Florida Panthers. This gives fans a convenient way to purchase tickets online for Panthers home games at FLA Live Arena and other events.
Ticketmaster provides the Panthers with an enormous distribution network, advanced ticketing technology, data-driven sales analytics, and dedicated service and support. After over 20 successful years working together, the partnership continues to offer benefits to both the Panthers franchise and their loyal fanbase in South Florida and beyond.