Wrestling, boxing and Buddy Holly
War Memorial Auditorium opened on January 14, 1950, at the western end of Holiday Park, built as a tribute to the area's military heroes. For decades it was the room Fort Lauderdale used for everything. Championship Wrestling from Florida ran cards here from 1951 to 1987, pro boxing has been on the schedule since the start (Mickey Rourke made his pro debut here in 1991), and trade shows and flea markets filled the off nights. Buddy Holly played it too.
The Panthers rebuild
The Florida Panthers began leasing the auditorium from the city in 2019, on a lease that runs 50 years at $1 a year, with plans for a renovation budgeted at about $65 million. The first phase was the Baptist Health IcePlex, practice rinks for the team that opened in early 2024. The auditorium followed and reopened in November 2024, and the complex took the FTL War Memorial name. Live Nation is the exclusive promoter and books the concerts.
Inside
The floor holds about 3,500, with premium seats on a restored mezzanine and setups that change from show to show. The rebuild brought in upgraded lighting and sound, several bars and VIP areas, and it kept the history in plain view. Look for the bronze statue of a kneeling soldier in the lobby and the original commemorative plaque set into the marble floor. The Panthers also restored the veterans' monuments and artwork on the grounds.
The Federal, a bar and restaurant on the second floor of the IcePlex, is right there for a drink or a bite before doors.
Parking in Holiday Park
The venue sends concertgoers to the field across from the entrance at 800 NE 8th Street. Holiday Park sits just east of US 1 and south of Sunrise Boulevard, so Las Olas and the beach are a short drive away for dinner or a late night.
More nearby
The Parker shares the park for seated theater nights, and Amerant Bank Arena out in Sunrise is the Panthers' game night home. The Fort Lauderdale page lists every show in Broward.
