Debating Whether to Visit Florida to Cheer on the Oilers? Here’s What Canadian Hockey Fans Can Expect

While the Canadian boycott of U.S. destinations has extended and elbows have stayed up through spring, there is a tempting reason for hockey fans to make a foray across the 49th parallel. The Edmonton Oilers are positioned, again, to bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada for the first time since 1993. Like in 2024, the path to that victory runs through the Sunshine State, where the Florida Panthers have reigned after defeating the Oilers in a thrilling seven-game series last June.

The Panthers are trying to repeat and the Oilers are eager to stop them. Support at home and on the road for fans has been present throughout the playoffs, where Edmonton has defeated the Los Angeles Kings, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars en route to the NHL Finals.

READ MORE: Why Edmonton Is Cool

Florida is more hostile territory, though, given the calibre of the Stanley Cup champions and the raucousness of their fan base. Unlike in 2024, the Oilers will have home-ice advantage, playing the first two games at Rogers Place before the series switches to Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, a suburban community of less than 100,000 people that’s a one-hour drive north of downtown Miami or 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale.

The location of Amerant Bank Arena doesn’t make it easy to cheer on Connor McDavid and his teammates. For those you can manage the inconvenience and the political climate, here’s a guide on how to experience a Florida Panthers’ home game during the Stanley Cup Finals.

Inside the Florida Panthers Arena

Built in 1998, Amerant Bank Arena is now among the older buildings in the NHL, but the sightlines are good and you don’t feel far away from the action in the 300 level seats. As NHL fans aware, the Panthers are known for their abrasive style of play. You’ll see hits from Sam Bennett and likely a few surreptious slashes or elbows from Matthew Tkachuk during the Finals. It will be easy to become enraged at them, but the Panthers also have a high amount of skill that makes them enjoyable to watch. The team’s Finnish captain, Aleksander Barkov, is a smooth, steady, and smart player whose game is reminiscent of Sergei Fedorov, the Hall of Famer who was a key player in the Detroit Red Wings’ dynasty of the late 1990s. Like Fedorov, Barkov excels at both ends of the rink, forechecking with skill and transitioning to offence in an instant. On Monday, he won the Selke Trophy for the NHL’s best defensive forward and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership and community involvement. While Bennett and Tkachuk play with elbows and grunt, Barkov is tactical and precise. Hockey aficionadoes will appreciate watching him in action, seeing his full-rink game unfold during each of his shifts.

Just as eye-catching will be to see how the Oilers choose to counteract Barkov, as well as Tkachuk and Bennett. They have shut down the likes of Quinton Byfield, Mark Stone, and Mikko Rantanen with team defence and the speed and savvy of McDavid and Leon Draisatl. Tying up the talent-rich Panthers will be more difficult and witnessing the attempt to do so will be intensely entertaining.

Between periods at Amerant Bank Arena, while you catch your breath, you can try the South Florida food-and-drink vendors who have outlets on each level. Stoner’s Pizza is among the better options. You can also check out the team store for the Panthers’ memorabilia, which includes a number of Canadians. The team’s first captain was Brian Skrudland (who also happens to be my wife’s first cousin) and there’s a poster of him from the 1995-96 season, when he led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

Getting to the Stanley Cup Finals

Both Air Canada and Westjet have connecting service from Edmonton to Miami. Air Canada has direct options to Miami from Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver; the latter option is the longest non-stop flight in North America.

Once you’ve landed, use a taxi or ride-share service to reach your hotel. A taxi to Amerant Bank Arena will likely cost $40 USD each way. Plan to leave early to avoid the game-day rush to the arena and to indulge in the festivities leading up to puck drop.

Where to Stay in South Florida

JW Marriott Turnberry Miami Resort and Spa: The resort is located in Aventura, a suburban city just north of Miami. Amerant Bank Arena is 25 minutes away by car and Miami International Airport is 40 minutes away.

Downtown Miami is a 30-minute drive south and Fort Lauderdale, home to Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami FC soccer team, is about 30 minutes north.

Room Rates: A nightly stay during the week of June 9, when Games 3 and 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals are played, starts at $302 USD (approximately $415 CAD), based on a recent search of the property’s booking engine. Promotions: The resort has a number of promotions, including a fantastic one for golfers that runs until June 25, 2025. It includes breakfast for two, a round of golf for two each day of your stay, and other perks.

Where to Eat in Greater Miami

The JW Marriott Turnberry Resort has two excellent restaurants, Bourbon Steak and Corsair. The brainchild of Michelin-starred executive chef Michael Mena, Bourbon Steak is a restaurant chain that feels like a local destination. The steaks and service are top notch, as is the wine list. Corsair is the popular 19th-hole spot for golfers at Turnberry. It is more casual than Bourbon Steak and offers delicious local trout and burgers.

In downtown Miami, Sixty Vines has excellent pizza and pasta dishes, and a novel way to enjoy wine. The restaurant has 60 wines on tap, mostly from California. Guests can order by the glass or bottle, or try a flight of four wines (prices vary depending on what choices you make for the flight).

In Fort Lauderdale, try Pirate Republic, located on the Intra-coastal Canal and operated by a husband-and-wife duo from Brazil. The flavours are authentic to Latin America and include exotic ingredients.

What Else to Do In Miami

You may not feel like partying in Florida, even if the Oilers win, given some of the tensions Canadians have experienced in recent months. Art can feel rejuvenating in such times and Wynwood Walls is a spot that may in fact lift your spirits. It’s wild and edgy, with a mission to eschew boundaries while at the same time being fluid and ever-changing in what it exhibits. Dedicated to street art, the open-air museum is one of the coolest spaces in North America. The irreverence and rebellious nature of the work it exhibits feels fitting for the times. [Read More About the Wynwood Walls Experience]

2025 Stanley Cup Schedule

(All Start Times are 8 p.m. ET)
Game 1: Panthers at Oilers, Wednesday, June 4
Game 2: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 6
Game 3: Oilers at Panthers, Monday, June 9
Game 4: Oilers at Panthers, Thursday, June 12
*Game 5: Panthers at Oilers, Saturday, June 14
*Game 6: Oilers at Panthers, Tuesday, June 17
*Game 7: Panthers at Oilers, Friday, June 20
* If necessary