Hockey first
Hertz Arena is a hockey building that books concerts, not the other way around. The Florida Everblades of the ECHL have played here since the doors opened on November 2, 1998, and the complex also runs recreational rinks next door. On concert nights the ice gets covered and the floor fills with seats or a standing crowd.
One building, four names
If an old ticket stub says TECO Arena or Germain Arena, it is the same place. The building opened as Everblades Arena, took the TECO name that same year, carried the Germain name from 2004 to 2018, and became Hertz Arena on October 1, 2018, after Hertz, headquartered in Estero, bought the naming rights. The Hoffmann family agreed to buy the arena and the Everblades in 2019, and the Hoffmann Family of Companies runs it.
Concert setup
Hockey seating runs a little over 7,000, and the arena lists concert capacity above 8,500. Over the years it has hosted concerts, circuses, wrestling, boxing, bull riding and family shows. After Hurricane Ian in 2022 it served as a storm shelter and later held a benefit concert for families who lost their homes.
Off I-75
The arena sits just east of I-75 in Estero, between Fort Myers and Naples, near Miromar Outlets and about a mile from Florida Gulf Coast University's Alico Arena.
- From the south, take exit 123 (Corkscrew Road) east, then go north on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway. The arena is on the left.
- From the north, take exit 128 (Alico Road) east to Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and drive about 3.5 miles south. The arena is on the right.
I-75 through Lee and Collier counties gets heavy in winter, so add time when the snowbirds are back.
Parking
The paid lot holds about 2,000 spaces within a short walk of the doors and opens two hours before the event. It is cashless, so bring a card or a phone wallet. Tailgating and drinking in the lot are not allowed under county rules. Check your ticket for the night's details.
For a smaller room on the same trip, look at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall or the Caloosa Sound Amphitheater, or browse all of Fort Myers and Naples.
