WWE SmackDown Sunrise 2026: Tickets, Venue & Travel Guide

WWE Friday Night SmackDown comes to Sunrise, Florida on Friday 13 November 2026 at Amerant Bank Arena, the home of the Florida Panthers, with the show starting at 7:30 PM. It is a weekly television show taken on the road, so you get a live WWE night in an arena rather than a stadium, and a trip that pairs easily with Fort Lauderdale. This guide covers tickets, how to reach the arena, where to stay and what to do around the show.

SmackDown Sunrise at a glance

What to expect at a live SmackDown

SmackDown is one of WWE’s two main weekly shows, and its live events travel the United States between the big premium shows. The atmosphere is closer to a rock concert than a sporting fixture: the entrances, the crowd noise and the theatrics are a big part of the night. Arenas are also smaller than stadiums, so even upper-level seats are not far from the ring.

As a weekly show, the matches for a given night are usually announced close to the date rather than months ahead, so no card was confirmed when we wrote this guide. Check WWE’s official channels in the week before the show for the line-up. The date also falls on a Friday the 13th, which is a fun hook if you like a themed night out.

Tickets

WWE’s own event page and Amerant Bank Arena sell tickets through SeatGeek. We also link to listings on Ticketmaster and Hello Tickets below, so you can compare sections and prices in one place. Prices vary by seat and demand, and resale prices can sit above or below face value.

The venue: Amerant Bank Arena

Amerant Bank Arena is at 1 Panther Parkway in Sunrise, in western Broward County, and is home to the NHL’s Florida Panthers. Its capacity runs from about 19,250 for hockey to 20,000 for concerts and similar shows. It sits near Sawgrass Mills, one of the largest outlet malls in the country, which makes it easy to add some shopping or a meal before the show.

The arena is cashless, so concessions take cards and mobile payments only. Seating sections are numbered by level, and the arena has a 300 Level above the lower bowl. For wrestling the ring is set up on the floor, and both view and price depend on how close you are to it, so look at the section map on the ticket page before you pick.

Where to sit: seat map

For SmackDown, the ring sits in the middle of the arena floor with an entrance ramp leading to it, and the seating rings wrap around it. The map below shows how the floor and the seating levels are arranged. The exact floor layout can change from show to show, so check the ticket page for the current map.

• Floor / ringside: closest to the ring and the entrance ramp. Your view depends on how far back you are, since floor seats are at the same level as the action.
• 100 level: the lower bowl around the floor, with a raised view across the ring and the entrance.
• Club sections (CL): a ring of club-level sections between the lower bowl and the upper level, which usually come with extra comfort and are priced accordingly.
• 300 level: the highest and furthest seats, wrapping around the arena and usually the way to keep the price down.

Getting there and getting around

Flights

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International (FLL) is the closest major airport. Miami International (MIA) has more long-haul routes but is further south. Allow extra time for the drive on a Friday evening, when I-595 and the Sawgrass Expressway get busy. Visitors from visa waiver countries need an approved ESTA before flying to the United States, so confirm entry requirements on the official government site.

To the arena

• Driving: from Fort Lauderdale and I-95, take I-595 West to Exit 1 (136th Avenue) and head north. It becomes Panther Parkway, and the arena is about a mile north of Sunrise Boulevard. Parking lots open about two hours before the event, and the arena’s parking takes cards only. Prices vary by event, so check before you go.
• Rideshare: drop-off is through Gate 3 at the North Pedestrian Walkway entrance. After the show, pickup is at the northern end of the same walkway. Expect surge pricing and a wait right after the final bell.
• On foot: pedestrians enter through Gate 6 and follow the sidewalk to the stairs at the front of the arena.

The arena’s directions page does not list public transport options, so most visitors drive or use rideshare. If you are staying in Fort Lauderdale, plan the trip and the return in advance.

Where to stay

You have two sensible choices. Staying near the arena, around Sunrise and Sawgrass Mills, keeps the drive short after the show. Staying in Fort Lauderdale puts you closer to the beach, restaurants and boat trips, but means a longer drive to and from the arena, especially on a Friday evening. Event weekends push prices up, so book early and choose a flexible rate if you can.

Suggested hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

For a more luxurious stay, The Ritz-Carlton is a good base if you want to turn the show into a longer Fort Lauderdale break. It is not next to the arena, so plan on a rideshare or drive of 30 minutes or more, longer in Friday evening traffic.

Suggested hotel The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale

A luxury hotel base for a SmackDown weekend and a Fort Lauderdale break.

Check Availability

Things to do around Fort Lauderdale

If you are flying in for SmackDown, add a day or two. These three options cover the classic South Florida experiences: an airboat ride in the Everglades, a cruise past the waterfront mansions and an easy way to get around the city by water. Check the live availability for your dates below.

Everglades airboat tour at Sawgrass Park

Sawgrass Recreation Park is in western Broward County, a short drive from Sunrise, and runs airboat rides through the Everglades. The ride is short, so it is easy to fit in before an evening show. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Millionaire’s Row cruise

A boat cruise along Fort Lauderdale’s canals and Intracoastal Waterway shows off the waterfront homes and yachts the city is known for. It suits a relaxed afternoon, and it is a good plan for the day after the show.

Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi all-day pass

The water taxi is a simple way to see the city from the water and hop between stops without a car. It is useful on a day when you do not want to drive, such as the morning after the show.

Practical tips for fans

• Tickets are mobile only, so download your tickets before you leave the hotel and keep your phone charged.
• Bags up to 12 inches by 12 inches are allowed and clear bags are not required, but bags larger than 4 by 6 inches go through X-ray, which means a slower line. Travelling light is faster.
• The arena is cashless. Bring a card or phone for payment, including for parking.
• Outside food and drinks are not allowed. Most events allow one sealed bottle of water, but check the event page.
• Professional cameras, GoPros, selfie sticks and laser pointers are prohibited. Signs must be hand-held and cannot be on a stick or pole.
• Exits are final, with re-entry allowed only in emergencies, so finish your shopping before you go in.
• Leave extra time for security and Friday evening traffic.

More WWE trips this November

If SmackDown is your first live WWE trip, there are two bigger events this month. WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh takes place on 7 November, and Survivor Series: WarGames in Houston follows on 28 November. For the full list of upcoming shows, see our combat sports travel guides.

FAQ

Disclosure: Route & Stay may earn a commission if you book or buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Event details, ticket availability and prices can change, so check official sources before you travel.