BB&T Center (Sunrise, Florida)

The BB&T Center (previously known as the National Car Rental Center, Office Depot Center and BankAtlantic Center) is an indoor arena located in Sunrise, Florida. It is the home venue for the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Florida Panthers. It was completed in 1998, at a cost of US$185 million, almost entirely publicly financed, and features 70 suites and 2,623 club seats.[2]

This article is about the arena located in Sunrise, Florida. For information about the skyscraper in Charlotte, North Carolina, see BB&T Center. For the arena at Northern Kentucky University, see BB&T Arena. For the amphitheater in New Jersey, see BB&T Pavilion.
BB&T Center
The BB&T Center located in Sunrise, Florida
BB&T Center
BB&T Center
Location in Florida
BB&T Center
Location in the United States
Former namesNational Car Rental Center (1998–2002)
Office Depot Center (2002–2005)
Bank Atlantic Center (2005–2012)
Address1 Panther Parkway
LocationSunrise, Florida
Coordinates26°9′30″N 80°19′32″W
Parking7,045 total spaces
OwnerBroward County, Florida
OperatorArena Operating Company, Ltd.
CapacityBasketball: 20,737
Ice Hockey: 19,250 (17,040 with seat tarps)
Arena Football: 19,779
Concerts:
*End stage 180°: 15,207
*End stage 270°: 19,119
*End stage 360°: 21,371
*Center stage: 22,457
*Theatre: 3,000 [1]
Field size872,000 sq ft (81,000 m2)
Construction
Broke groundNovember 8, 1996 (1996-11-08)
OpenedOctober 3, 1998 (1998-10-03)
Construction costUS$184 million [2]
($302 million in 2019 dollars[3])
ArchitectEllerbe Becket
Project managerUpton & Partners[4]
Structural engineerWalter P. Moore & Associates
General contractorArena Development Company (A joint venture of Centex Rooney/Huber, Hunt & Nichols/Morse Diesel)[4]
Tenants
Florida Panthers (NHL) (1998–present)
Florida ThunderCats (NPSL) (1998–1999)
Florida Bobcats (AFL) (1999–2001)
Florida Pit Bulls (ABA) (2005–2006)
Miami Caliente (LFL) (2009–2010)
Website
www.thebbtcenter.com

History
An aerial shot of the BB&T Center

In 1992, Wayne Huizenga obtained a new NHL franchise that would eventually become the Florida Panthers.[5] Until the team had an arena of their own, they initially played at the now-demolished Miami Arena, sharing the venue with the NBA's Miami Heat.[6] Sunrise City Manager Pat Salerno made public a $167-million financing and construction plan for a civic center near the Sawgrass Expressway in December 1995,[7] and Broward County approved construction in February 1996.[8] In June 1996, the site was chosen by the Panthers, and in July, Alex Muxo gathered more than a dozen architects, engineers and contractors for the first major design brainstorming session. Architects Ellerbe Becket were given 26 months to build the arena, which had to be ready by August 30, 1998, to accommodate the 1998–99 NHL season. Despite never having designed a facility that had taken less than 31 months from start to finish, they accepted the job.[5]

Seventy suites were completed with wet bars, closed circuit monitors and leather upholstery. Averaging over 650 square feet (60 m2), the suites are the largest in the country for this type of facility. All the activity was generated by over 50 subcontractors and 2.3 million man hours without a single injury.[4] Known as Broward County Civic Center during construction, the naming rights were won in July 1998 by National Car Rental—a company purchased by Huizenga in January 1997—leading to the venue being named the National Car Rental Center.[9] A certificate of occupancy was given on September 12, and the arena opened on October 3 with a Celine Dion concert. The next day, Elton John performed, and on October 9 the Panthers had their first home game at the new arena.[10]

As NRC's new parent company ANC Rental went bankrupt in 2002, the Panthers sought a new sponsor for the arena.[11] It later became the Office Depot Center in the summer of 2002, and the BankAtlantic Center on September 6, 2005. As BB&T purchased BankAtlantic in July 2012, two months later the arena was rebranded as BB&T Center. [12] [13] In February 2019, it was announced that BB&T is merging with SunTrust Banks, with a name change expected for the merged banks.[14]

BB&T Center is currently the largest arena in Florida and second-largest in the Southeastern United States, behind Greensboro Coliseum. During the 2011 offseason, the BB&T Center replaced the original green seats in the lower bowl with new red seats, as a part of the Panthers' "We See Red" campaign.[15]

In October 2012, Sunrise Sports and Entertainment completed installation of the Club Red seating sections encompassing the center ice seats during hockey games. It is an all-inclusive nightclub experience following the trend of other sports and entertainment venues in incorporating high-end seating sections and clubs.[16]

The ADT Club located on the club level offers food and beverage. The Duffy's Sky Club at the BB&T Center encompasses approximately 8,000 square feet (740 m2) and caters to approximately 500 guests. The Penalty Box offers fans another seating and dining option inside the BB&T Center. The Legends Lounge is a restaurant located on the Lexus Suite Level and offers sit down service.

The BB&T Center is also the home for private lounge box seating.

On May 14, 2013, Broward County voted to fund a new scoreboard for the county-owned BB&T Center[17] On October 11, 2013, the scoreboard made its debut for the Panthers' 2013–14 home opener.[18]

Regular events
Inside the then-named Bank Atlantic Center during a Florida Panthers game in 2008

In addition to the Panthers, the arena was formerly home to the Florida Pit Bulls of the American Basketball Association, the Miami Caliente of the Lingerie Football League, and the Florida Bobcats of the AFL, along with the only season of the Florida ThunderCats. This arena also serves as the host for the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic held every December in conjunction with the namesake college football game.

Concerts
Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Revenue Notes
October 3, 1998Celine DionAndré-Philippe GagnonLet's Talk About Love World Tour——Arena's inaugural event
March 30, 1999Marilyn MansonJack Off JillRock Is Dead Tour——Homecoming concert
December 5 & 6, 1999Backstreet Boys-Into the Millennium Tour--Originally scheduled for September 14 & 15, 1999, but was postponed due to Hurricane Floyd
December 31, 1999Bee Gees————It was to be their last full arena concert as a group
October 4, 2000Sarah Brightman—La Luna World Tour——The concert was recorded and released for PBS as well as video in VHS and later on DVD, entitled La Luna: Live in Concert.
January 22–24, 2001Backstreet BoysMyra
Krystal Harris		Black & Blue Tour——
March 24 & 26, 2001U2The CorrsElevation Tour37,969 / 37,969$3,032,028These two shows were the opening dates of the Elevation Tour.
July 20, 2001Dave Matthews BandJunior Brown———There was a power interruption during the performance; they have not returned to the venue since.[19]
August 14–15, 2001Madonna—Drowned World Tour31,572 / 31,572$3,603,573
May 18–19, 2002Paul McCartney—Driving World Tour——
September 30, 2004Phil Collins—First Final Farewell Tour——This was the final stop on the North American leg of the tour.
July 28–29, 2004Madonna—Reinvention World Tour28,208 / 28,208$3,834,522
August 26, 2005Green Day—American Idiot World Tour——
October 28 & 30, 2006Barbra Streisand—Streisand: The Tour31,931 / 31,931$9,572,573Highest grossing events in venue history
November 20, 2006The Who—The Who Tour 2006-2007——Recorded a live CD as part of the Encore Series
July 22, 2007Beyoncé—The Beyoncé Experience——
April 26, 2008Bon Jovi—Lost Highway Tour18,307 / 18,307$1,554,550The concert was delayed several hours when someone called in a bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax.[20]
August 3, 2008George Michael—25 Live——It was his first South Florida concert appearance in 20 years
November 2, 2008Tina Turner—Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour12,769 / 12,769$1,468,461
November 9, 2008 Coldplay Sleepercar Viva la Vida Tour 15,096 / 15,096 $1,258,098 Show was initially scheduled for early September of that year but was delayed due to production issues
June 29, 2009Beyoncé—I Am... World Tour12,629 / 13,209$1,015,893
September 5, 2009Depeche Mode—Tour of the Universe12,665 / 12,665—The show was recorded for the group's live albums project Recording the Universe
September 25, 2010Shakira—The Sun Comes Out World Tour12,994 / 12,994$1,138,788
January 20, 2011Linkin Park—A Thousand Suns Tour10,150 / 10,150$550,558
May 7, 2011Kylie Minogue—Aphrodite: Les Folies Tour4,000 / 4,441$253,756
February 25, 2013P!nkThe HivesThe Truth About Love Tour13,732 / 13,732$979,399
April 20, 2013RihannaASAP RockyDiamonds World Tour13,959 / 13,959$1,042,363
July 9, 2013BeyoncéLuke JamesThe Mrs. Carter Show World Tour12,269 / 12,269$1,328,330
September 15, 2013Depeche Mode—Delta Machine Tour10,760 / 10,760$683,192
May 4, 2014Lady GagaLady StarlightArtRave: The Artpop Ball12,977 / 12,977$1,173,695Gaga was also going to perform on March 15, 2013, for her Born This Way Ball, but the show was cancelled due to her hip injury
May 17, 2014CherCyndi LauperDressed to Kill Tour12,178 / 12,178$1,348,709
July 2, 2014Katy PerryCapital Cities
Ferras		Prismatic World Tour12,888 / 12,888$1,382,655
July 18, 2015Ariana GrandePrince RoyceHoneymoon TourN/AN/A
February 24, 2016Iron MaidenThe Raven AgeThe Book of Souls World Tour12,478 / 12,478$954,111
April 8, 2016Pearl Jam—Pearl Jam 2016 North America Tour——[21][22]
April 13, 2016PentatonixUs The Duo
AJ Lehrman		Pentatonix World Tour 20164,609 / 7,008$250,805
July 1, 2016Demi Lovato
Nick Jonas		MarshmelloFuture Now Tour7,251 / 10,314$400,809
July 2, 2016Twenty One PilotsMutemath
Chef'Special		Emotional Roadshow World Tour11,705 / 11,916$393,775
December 3, 2016Barbra Streisand—Barbra: The Music, The Mem'ries, The Magic12,262 / 12,262$3,247,670Third highest grossing concert in venue history
April 15, 2017Panic! at the DiscoMisterWivesDeath of a Bachelor TourN/AN/A
February 1, 2018Lana Del ReyKali UchisLA to the Moon Tour7,241 / 13,270$589,582
February 26, 2018Dead & Company —Fall Tour 201712,437 /12,848$1,365,862The show was originally scheduled for December 8, 2017 but was postponed due to John Mayer needing an emergency appendectomy. The band paid tribute to the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting which took place the previous week in nearby Parkland.
April 25, 2018P!nkKidcutupBeautiful Trauma World Tour15,999 / 15,999$2,184,919
June 9, 2018Harry StylesKacey MusgravesHarry Styles: Live on Tour[23]16,678 / 16,678$1,302,904
July 31, 2018Panic! at the Disco—Pray for the Wicked Tour——
August 15, 2018ShakiraSalvaEl Dorado World Tour10,693 / 10,693$1,058,920
October 5, 2018Phil CollinsN/ANot Dead Yet Tour13,750 / 13,750$2,079,690
November 4, 2018Twenty One PilotsAwolnation
Max Frost		Bandito Tour——
November 23, 2018 - 16 March 2019Elton JohnN/AFarewell Yellow Brick RoadTBATBA
March 1, 2019P!nkJulia MichaelsBeautiful Trauma World Tour14,883 / 14,883$2,463,165Beginning of the tour's second North American leg due to high demand. One of the largest single night grosses of the venue's history.

Notable events

NHL
  • The Florida Panthers hosted the 2001 NHL Entry Draft & 2015 NHL Entry Draft at the arena.
  • The arena served as the site for the 2003 NHL All-Star Game on February 2, 2003. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 6-5, in a shootout victory. It marked the first "official" shootout in the NHL.

Boxing, mixed martial arts

The arena has held boxing and mixed martial arts events such as EliteXC: Heat featuring the main event of Seth Petruzelli and Kimbo Slice took place on October 4, 2008. On February 15, 2009, a lightweight bout between Nate Campbell and Ali Funeka took place in the arena.

Strikeforce MMA made their debut at the arena on January 30, 2010, with the Strikeforce: Miami event on Showtime.[24]

UFC on FX 3 took place at the arena on June 8, 2012. It was the first UFC event ever held at the arena.[25]

Professional wrestling

Rodeo

The Professional Bull Riders brought their Built Ford Tough Series tour to the BB&T Center in September 2005 for a bull riding event, which was won by Kody Lostroh (who ultimately became the Rookie of the Year that same year).

Other events

Arena information

Seating
  • Basketball: 20,737
  • Hockey: 19,250
  • End-Stage Concerts: 15,207 – 23,000
  • Center-Stage Concerts: 25,000
  • 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of arena floor space for trade shows and other events such as circuses and ice shows.[2]

Parking and loading docks
  • Total: 7,045 Spaces (Does not include production or bus/oversized vehicle parking)
  • General Parking: 4,787 Spaces
  • Suite/Club Seat Parking: 1,430 Spaces
  • Garage: 226 Spaces
  • Disabled Parking: 90 Spaces
  • Event Staff: 512 Spaces
  • Truck Doors: 5
  • Waste Removal Docks: 2[2]

Food and novelty concessions
  • Plaza Level: 3 Food Courts and Pantherland Retail
  • Mezzanine Level: 3 Food Courts and two Points of Purchase Kiosks[2]

References
  1. "Google Groups". groups.google.com. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  2. "Facts and Figures". BB&T Center. Archived from the original on February 8, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  3. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  4. "History". BB&T Center. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  5. "Panthers History: Arenas". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  6. Lapointe, Joe (December 11, 1992). "N.H.L. Is Going to Disneyland, and South Florida, Too". The New York Times. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  7. "Sunrise Gets Serious About Arena". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. December 16, 1995. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  8. "Prospects Good For Broward Arena". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. February 1, 1996. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  9. Snell, Alan; Fleshler, David (July 11, 1998). "Huizenga's National Car Rental To Be Name Gracing Hockey Arena". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  10. Nolin, Robert (September 12, 1998). "Sunrise Arena Ok'd For Occupancy". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  11. Talalay, Sarah (August 16, 2002). "Panthers Want Car Rental Name Taken Off Arena". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  12. "BB&T Center Naming Rights Headline Long-term Florida Panthers-BB&T Partnership". NHL.com (Press release). Florida Panthers. September 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  13. Richards, George (September 11, 2012). "Florida Panthers' Arena Now BB&T Center". The Miami Herald. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  14. "SunTrust, BB&T have their names on sports". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. February 7, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  15. "Panthers See Red In BankAtlantic Center Lower Bowl". National Hockey League. July 25, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  16. Valverde, Miriam (January 29, 2013). "Club Red elevates experiences at BB&T Center". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  17. Nolin, Robert (May 14, 2013). "County to Fund New Scoreboard for Panthers Arena". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  18. Davis, Craig (October 11, 2013). "Huizenga Joins Viola to Christen New Panthers Era Before 6-3 Win". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  19. "Tour: 2001 summer". DMB Almanac. Retrieved June 11, 2009.
  20. Haas, Brian; Gollan, Jennifer (April 27, 2008). "Cell Phone Bomb Threat Delays Bon Jovi Concert". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
  21. "Review: Pearl Jam opens 2016 North American tour at the BB&T Center in Sunrise". South Florida. April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  22. "Live Review: Pearl Jam kicks off tour at Ft. Lauderdale's BBT Center". Consequence of Sound. April 9, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  23. "Harry Styles Expands Tour Into 2018". Billboard. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  24. "Strikeforce to Florida in 2010 with Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and Herschel Walker". mmajunkie.com. 2009-11-19. Archived from the original on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2009-11-20.
  25. "UFC on FX 3 heads to Fort Lauderdale's BankAtlantic Center on June 8". MMAJunkie.com. April 5, 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved April 5, 2012.
  26. Man, Anthony; Barszewski, Larry (February 21, 2018). "Rubio is jeered as CNN town hall meeting about Florida school shooting turns angry". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  27. Halle, Kiefer. "XXXTentacion Fans Invited to Open Casket Memorial at Florida Panthers Stadium". Vulture.com. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  28. "XXXTentacion fans queue to pay respects at Florida service". BBC News. June 28, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.


Events and tenants
Preceded by
Miami Arena		 Home of the
Florida Panthers
1998 – present		 Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
Staples Center		 Host of the
NHL All-Star Game
2003		 Succeeded by
Xcel Energy Center
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