April 23, 2024
The Battle for Florida is underway with our Florida Panthers taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Buildings on Las Olas are lighting up red and if you look up and down the boulevard you may even see some Panthers themed surprises.
Even Mayor Trantalis and Tampa Mayor Castor are getting in on the action, wagering a friendly bet!
Downtown Renaissance
The success of these two teams has helped spark a downtown renaissance in both Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. Both downtowns are among the fastest growing cities in the country and are emerging as two of the best live-work-play destinations in the Sun Belt.
Despite being rivals on the ice, both Downtown Fort Lauderdale and Downtown Tampa are home to amazing Riverwalks, are making bold investments in public spaces, and host an incredible arts community. We are both defined by our connection to our waterways and our love for our hockey teams!
Florida is the Center of the Hockey World
With the team now practicing in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale at the new Baptist Health IcePlex, it's no secret that the Panthers are part of what makes Downtown Fort Lauderdale a special place to live, work, and visit.
Where else can you pop out of the office for lunch to watch your hometown team practice just minutes away? The new IcePlex is also serving all the young families choosing to live downtown, offering opportunities for kids to learn how to play hockey. And the opening of the revitalized FTL War Memorial concert venue is just around the corner.
Who would have thought that Florida would be the center of the hockey world?
The Panthers or Lightning have represented the state in the last four Stanley Cup Finals. Because of this remarkable run by the Panthers and Lightning, the rest of the country is starting to see what we already know: that Florida's downtowns are the place to be.