Florida’s rivalry takes the ice in Sunrise on Saturday, September 26, with the Panthers hosting the Lightning at 6:00 PM ET. Here’s how to frame the night around the game, from dinner and grooming to getting there, going out, and staying overnight.
A preseason date carries real weight when it is the Panthers and Lightning in Sunrise, especially with Florida looking to reset. The Panthers host Tampa Bay at Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM ET, the back half of a preseason home-and-home (the teams also meet in Tampa on September 24). Florida won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025 but missed the 2026 playoffs after an injury-hit season, so this Battle of Florida exhibition is an early look at a proud team trying to bounce back.
Why this matchup matters
This matchup matters because of what the Panthers are coming back from: after winning the Stanley Cup in both 2024 and 2025 (beating the Edmonton Oilers each time), Florida was eliminated from 2026 playoff contention in early April amid injuries, while Carolina went on to win that year's Cup. Facing Tampa Bay, their closest rival, even in the preseason gives an early read on whether that core can climb back, with Florida at home in Sunrise and the official start listed as 6:00 PM ET.
Where both teams stand
The Florida Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning preseason game is set for Saturday, September 26, 2026 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, with the Panthers hosting at 6:00 PM ET. Florida is two seasons removed from back-to-back titles (2024 and 2025) but is coming off a 2026 campaign that ended without a playoff berth; Tampa Bay remains the measuring-stick rival on the other side of the state. It is the second of two preseason meetings in three days, after the teams face off in Tampa on September 24.
What to expect in Sunrise, FL
This is a preseason NHL matchup, so the night centers on an early look at both rosters, but for a Panthers team rebounding from a lost 2026 season, the home crowd gets a first glimpse of the reset. Amerant Bank Arena is Florida's home ice, and the Battle of Florida rivalry gives even an exhibition a sharper edge for a Sunrise crowd.
With the hockey story set, the rest of the evening comes down to how you want to eat, get ready, get there, go out, and stay around Sunrise.
Know before you go
- Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Event time: 6:00 PM
- Venue: Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Where to eat before the show
A game night starts easier when dinner fits the schedule and the mood of the matchup. The ANDOPO food picks in the area give you a few ways to handle a pregame meal without overcomplicating the night.
Get ready for the night
A hockey night in Sunrise can call for a sharper version of your usual routine. The grooming and prep picks here are built for a clean reset before you head out.
Getting to the venue
Getting to Amerant Bank Arena is part of the plan, especially on a night with a rivalry on the calendar. The transport picks focus on the practical side of arrival so the game stays the main event.
CAR RENTAL
CAR RENTAL
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After the show
If the night does not end with the game, the after-show options help you keep it going in Sunrise. The nightlife picks cover the kind of spots that make sense once the rink lights go down.
Where to stay
An overnight stay makes sense when you want the game night to run on your terms. The hotel picks give you options for turning a single event into a more relaxed visit.
AC Hotel by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Sawgrass Mills/Sunrise
Sunrise
