The Florida Panthers kicked off the 2025-26 NHL season after back-to-back Stanley Cups by hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. While being the first game of the new season, it was also the banner-raising from the 2025 title. Despite apparent attendance records being at 102.1% for the game, plenty of fans had something to say about that based on what they saw with their own eyes.
The attendance record for the home opener of the Panthers’ season (19,655 people) was better than the Los Angeles Kings (100% – 18,145) and the New York Rangers (100% – 18,006), except the broadcast of the Florida vs. Chicago game showed a different story.
Fans Are Unimpressed With Panthers’ Sellout
While it was seemingly all Florida Panthers fans at the game in Florida, fans around the league don’t seem to buy what was being reported about attendance.
One fan pointed out, “102.1% sold for Panthers eh? ….. sure. Considering during the broadcast there were an awful lot of empty seats. So Florida wants us to believe like 8k fans were there but just never in their seats that are in full camera view?”
You sure about those Panthers #’s pic.twitter.com/xH7In3aGHQ
— N2TheL (@NLitterello) October 8, 2025
Genuinely never seen this arena with so many seats empty….. pic.twitter.com/m3n6wNldTy
— Panthers NOT Hammers (@apwyatt) October 8, 2025
Just to tack on a few more of the many people in opposition of the Panthers’ building being full for their first game of the season, fans also shared, “Actual [expletive]. Watch the game. Plenty of empty Panthers seats.” … “Calling BS on the Panthers attendance. They may have sold 102.1% tickets but there were a lot of empty seats last night.” … “Wow. Liars. Panthers arena was worse than a college game turnout.” … “Liars!!!! Watch the highlights. The place was half empty for their banner raising.”
Hockey in South Florida Is Still a Topic of Discussion
The debate of whether hockey belongs in South Florida is still fiery. Hockey fans and NHL fans up North have fewer teams to cheer for and cold weather that breeds hockey for months of the year, whereas Florida has great weather and beaches all year round.
The argument by fans is not only that there aren’t as many dedicated fans willing to show up and care despite ticket prices being significantly lower than most other arenas, but it is that once the Florida Panthers fall from grace, the team will once again have a tough time filling the building on a nightly basis.
Most Canadian teams and New York-based teams fill their seats at high prices, whether the team is good or bad, and plenty of them have had rough stretches of years as of late. With the success in the state of Florida with the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning, hockey doesn’t appear to be going anywhere…as long as they continue to be good.
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