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Fort Lauderdale’s Rise as a Premier Sports & Entertainment Destination

May 14, 2025


Wayne Huizenga set the stage for Fort Lauderdale’s emergence as a sports and entertainment destination by bringing the Florida Panthers to Broward County in the late 90s. A generation of leaders followed Wayne’s footsteps, transforming Fort Lauderdale into a sports and entertainment hub. Dive deeper for an inside look.



New Venues Uniquely FTL


Aerial view of downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline with the new Baptist Health IcePlex and revitalized War Memorial Auditorium in the foreground, highlighting the city’s evolving sports and entertainment district.
Baptist Health IcePlex and the reimagined War Memorial Auditorium anchor Fort Lauderdale’s growing reputation as a sports and entertainment hub.

The Florida Panthers have strengthened their commitment to Fort Lauderdale with the introduction of the Baptist Health IcePlex and revitalized War Memorial Auditorium. With learn-to-skate programs, open practices, and concerts scheduled at FTL War Memorial, Fort Lauderdale is embracing its newest entertainment venue in the heart of Holiday Park. 


This new venue is having a strong impact, driving visitation to DowntownFTL with the neighboring Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Downtown reporting that “Q1 2025 rates are up 14% year-over-year, a testament to the increased demand from concertgoers, sports teams, event attendees, and business travelers.”


Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2023 also helped elevate Fort Lauderdale’s stature in the global sports scene, with his initial choice to live in Fort Lauderdale validating the city’s appeal to a global audience. This moment would not have been possible without the City of Fort Lauderdale working with Inter Miami to create a new stadium and training center at the former Lockhart Stadium site. Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium will continue to be where Inter Miami trains in future years.



The Future of Pickleball is in Fort Lauderdale


Aerial view of The Fort in Fort Lauderdale, showcasing multiple pickleball courts surrounded by palm trees and event spaces, illustrating the city's emergence as a global pickleball destination.
The Fort is home to the world’s first pickleball stadium, positioning Fort Lauderdale as a global hub for the sport’s explosive growth.

The future of pickleball, one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, is in Fort Lauderdale.  Our city is enjoying its new status as a global pickleball hub, given the recent opening of The Fort, which includes the first pickleball stadium in the world. The Fort is set to become a major training center for future pickleball champions and drive thousands of room nights annually through hosting national tournaments.


This unique destination is not just home to pickleball. The Fort is emerging as a unique outdoor entertainment destination, home to a publicly accessible lakefront beach alongside a restaurant and outdoor events space. With the flexibility to host world-class fitness events, intimate concerts, banquets, and more, The Fort is a one-of-a-kind venue that our city can be proud of.



The Swimming & Diving Capital of the World

Elevated view of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center with its Olympic-size pools and tall dive tower, set against the backdrop of the beach and Atlantic Ocean.
The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center is redefining the city’s legacy in swimming and diving with a world-class facility just steps from the beach.

The renovation of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics Center continues to elevate Fort Lauderdale’s reputation as a city of champions. World-renowned Olympians like Katie Ledecky, Gretchen Walsh, Summer McIntosh, Bobby Finke, Kieran Smith, and Leon Marchand have competed here in recent years.


Notably, two years ago, incoming International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, where she was honored alongside Michael Phelps.


With some of the biggest leaders and champions in global sports spending time in Fort Lauderdale, our community has become a paradise for Olympic champions. 



South Florida is a Sports & Entertainment Mecca


Fort Lauderdale’s central location in the heart of the region puts the city right near the heart of the action for major events like the Super Bowl, Formula 1 Miami, Orange Bowl, College Football Playoff, and Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.


  • Formula 1 generates over $400 million of annual economic impact, with 40% of all visitors staying in Broward hotels, generating 164,000 room nights.

  • The Orange Bowl generates over $260 million annually.

  • Half of the out-of-town guests who visit Hard Rock Stadium typically stay in Broward. 


Downtown hotels are catering to major regional events, too.

“Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour provided us with a unique opportunity to witness firsthand how consumer travel is evolving, and how we can creatively engage with guests to drive revenue, " said Joshua Morris, area general manager of Hyatt Centric Las Olas.

With concerts on the calendar this year from global artists like Shakira, Coldplay, and The Weeknd, Fort Lauderdale hotels are poised to take lessons learned from the Eras Tour and apply them to other top-tier shows. 



Tortuga Music Festival


Festival setup for Tortuga Music Festival on Fort Lauderdale Beach, with concert stages and palm trees lining the oceanfront.
Tortuga Music Festival brings over 100,000 fans to Fort Lauderdale Beach each year, blending world-class performances with a commitment to ocean conservation.

Tortuga, Fort Lauderdale’s signature beachfront music festival, draws over 100,000 visitors each year and generates more than $40 million for the local economy while promoting marine conservation.


Iconic music festivals are often key to growing a city’s brand and cultural identity. Tortuga plays this role in Fort Lauderdale just like popular festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and Boston Calling do in their respective cities.



What this all means:


With billions invested in sports, hospitality, and entertainment infrastructure, Fort Lauderdale is becoming a top-tier destination. Its strategic location, iconic events, and growing list of world-class venues make it a rising star in global tourism.

 
 
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