The Florida Panthers are back on home ice, ready to ignite the atmosphere in Amerant Bank Arena for Game 3 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. With the series tied 1-1, the teams are set for an epic showdown on Monday night at 8 PM ET. South Florida is buzzing with excitement—cities across Broward County are gripped by “Red Reign,” as fans don their Panther gear with pride, eager to cheer on their team in pursuit of back-to-back championships. With their third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the Fort Lauderdale DDA estimates that the Panthers prior two Stanley Cup runs alone generated more than $100 million in positive economic impact for Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and the South Florida region. Visit Lauderdale estimates the team has brought in an additional $30 million this 2025 postseason before the Panthers even drop the puck in a home game in the Stanley Cup Finals in Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers emerged on the national stage last season when they captured their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the same Oilers in an enthralling game 7. Now, as they make their third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the fans are paying tribute to the team’s remarkable feat adding excitement to the Panthers’s resurgence beginning in the 2020-21 season. The Panthers’ success has been in a large part to owner Vincent Viola who purchased the team in 2013.
Florida has also now become an epicenter and hotbed for hockey with teams from Florida having reached the Stanley Cup and winning the Eastern Conference Final each of the past 6 years. The Florida Panthers in 2025, 2024 and 2023. The Tampa Bay Lighting in 2022, 2021 and 2020. The Lighting won back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. The Panthers look to do the same in 2024 and 2025.
A Dramatic Start to the Series
The series began in Edmonton, where the Panthers faced a tight contest in Game 1, falling 4-3 after a heart-wrenching overtime loss. However, Game 2 proved to be a thrilling battle, with Brad Marchand netting the winning goal at 8:05 of the second overtime, sealing a 5-4 victory. This nail-biting come-from-behind win highlighted the Panthers' determination and ability to thrive under pressure, mirroring their playoff success in recent years.
As the Panthers prepare for Game 3, they will rely on their stars: Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Carter Verhaeghe, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, among others, to lead the charge once again. The fortitude exhibited in Edmonton gives them momentum as they return to Sunrise, where they have been nothing short of spectacular all season.
Image via PROFILEmiami
Economic Boom for South Florida
The Panthers' success on the ice has not only reinvigorated local pride but also spawned a significant economic impact in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida region. Following last year’s Stanley Cup Final, estimates indicated that four home playoff games generated an incredible $25 million in economic activity alone, and this year is expected to surpass that figure. In total the past three trips to the final have resulted in an estimated $100 million positive economic benefit to Broward County and the surrounding South Florida region. Visit Lauderdale estimates the team has brought in an additional $30 million this 2025 postseason before the Panthers drop the puck in a home game in the Stanley Cup Finals in Amerant Bank Arena.
As hockey fever sweeps South Florida, local establishments, including bars, restaurants, and hotels, are reaping the benefits. This year alone, estimates suggest an additional $30 million in revenue due directly to the Panthers' impressive playoff run. Hotels around the new IcePlex practice facility report occupancy rates soaring by 30-40%, while ticket resale prices for regular-season games at Amerant Bank Arena have skyrocketed by 46.7%.
The reverberating effects of the “Red Reign” can be felt throughout the local economy, with watch parties attracting thousands and tourism booming as hockey fans flock to the area. The revitalization of infrastructure surrounding the team’s practice rink, including public ice rinks, restaurants, and a concert venue, stands as a testament to the positive economic transformation.
The Panthers invested more than $65 million into the redevelopment of their 144,000 SF IcePlex as part of the revitalization of Holiday Park. The IcePlex serves as their official practice rink as well as recreational ice rinks and an entertainment venue. The facility has boosted youth hockey participation in South Florida and has brought the Panthers closer to the community.
Amerant Bank Arena (Image via Florida Panthers)
Panthers' Journey and Future Prospects
The Florida Panthers, founded in 1993, have risen from years of playoff drought to become towering contenders in the NHL. Once struggling to secure victories in the postseason, the team has now transformed its fortunes, qualifying for the playoffs each year since the 2020-21 season and bolstering their legacy with consecutive Final appearances.
As the city enthusiastically prepares for Game 3, the hope for another historic championship run is palpable. The "Red Reign" is not just about hockey; it is about community, pride, and the economic revitalization of Fort Lauderdale. The fate of the coveted Stanley Cup remains fiercely uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Florida Panthers have united an entire region—a fitting narrative for a team that has found its identity in the heart of South Florida.
Join thousands of fans on Monday night at Amerant Bank Arena or at watch parties around town to witness history in the making as the Florida Panthers vie for a second consecutive championship.