{{short description|Multi-purpose arena in Estero, Florida, U.S.}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox venue | name = Hertz Arena | former_names = {{ubl|Everblades Arena (1998)|TECO Arena (1998–2004)|Germain Arena (2004–2018)}} | logo_image = Hertz Arena Logo.svg | logo_caption = | image = Hertz Arena.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = View of the arena from the West in 2020 | pushpin_map = Florida#USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Florida##Location within the United States | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_label = Hertz Arena | address = 11000 Everblades Parkway | location = [[Estero, Florida]], U.S. | coordinates = {{coord|26.44066810|-81.77880850|format=dms|region:US-FL_type:landmark |display=inline,title}}<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/?cid=8822538137046369865 |title=Hertz Arena |access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref> | type = Arena | event = Hockey | broke_ground = November 1997 | built = | opened = {{start date|1998|11|02}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hertzarena.com/about-the-arena/features-stats/ |title=Features & Stats |website=Hertz Arena Homepage |access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> | renovated = | expanded = | owner = David Hoffmann | operator = [[Hoffmann Family of Companies]] | surface = Multi-surface | scoreboard = Yes | production = | cost = | architect = BBB Architects | builder = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = LCM Engineering, Inc.<ref name="EMP">{{cite web |url=http://www.emporis.com/application/?lng=3&nav=building&id=222589 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102142556/http://www.emporis.com/application/?lng=3&nav=building&id=222589 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |title=Germain Arena, Estero – 222589 – EMPORIS |website=Emporis}}</ref> | services_engineer = The Mitchell Partnership Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tmptoronto.com/document_library/Fort%20Myers%20Sports%20Center.pdf |title=The Mitchell Partnership Inc. – Fort Myers Sports Center }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | general_contractor = Walbridge-Aldinger<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walbridge.com/index.cfm/Projects |title=Walbridge-Aldinger – Projects }}</ref> | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = Center stage: 8,284<br/>Endstage: 7,380<br/>Half house: 5,090<br/>[[Ice hockey|Hockey]]: 7,084 | suites = 24<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hertzarena.com/premium-seating/luxury-suites/|title=Suite information}}</ref> | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = | acreage = 30 | tenants = {{unbulleted list|[[Florida Everblades]] ([[ECHL]]) (1998–present)|[[Florida Sea Dragons]] ([[United States Basketball League|USBL]]) (2000–2003)|[[Florida Firecats]] ([[af2]]) (2001–2009)|[[Florida Flame]] ([[NBA Development League|NBDL/NBA D-League]]) (2004–2006)|[[Florida Tarpons]] ([[Ultimate Indoor Football League|UIFL]]/[[X-League Indoor Football|XLIF]]/[[American Indoor Football|AIF]]/[[Arena Pro Football|APF]]) (2012–2017)|[[Florida Gulf Coast Eagles]] hockey}} | embedded = | website = {{URL|hertzarena.com}} | public_transit = }}
'''Hertz Arena''' is a 7,084-seat multi-purpose arena in [[Estero, Florida]], outside [[Ft. Myers, Florida]], which is located between Miromar Lakes, Florida and [[Bonita Springs, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hertzarena.com/arena-information/features-stats/|title=Features & Stats|website=Hertz Arena|language=en-US|access-date=July 2, 2019}}</ref> The arena opened in November 1998 and serves as the home of the [[Florida Everblades]] of the [[ECHL]].
==History== [[File:FloridaEverbladesGame-Dec2019.jpg|left|thumb|Hertz Arena hosting a professional hockey game – the [[Florida Everblades]] vs. Kansas City Mavericks on December 14, 2019.]] The arena was first named Everblades Arena in 1998 after the hockey team that plays there. [[TECO Energy]] was the first company to obtain the naming rights to the building, changing the name to TECO Arena. In 2004, TECO Energy decided they were no longer interested in holding the naming rights. [[Germain Motor Company]] bought the rights, and in 2004 the venue was renamed to Germain Arena. This same company, an automobile dealership with locations in Florida, Arkansas, and Ohio, also held the naming rights to the [[Germain Amphitheater]] in [[Columbus, Ohio]]. In September 2018, [[The Hertz Corporation]] bought the naming rights for the arena and it was renamed Hertz Arena on October 1. The company petitioned the city to repaint the arena bright yellow with black accents to match their branding.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/money/business/local/2018/09/19/no-more-germain-arena-become-hertz-arena-everblades-hockey-estero/1345585002/ |title=Germain Arena to be renamed Hertz Arena |work=[[Naples Daily News]] |date=September 19, 2018}}</ref> In August 2019, the Hoffmann family entered into an agreement to purchase both the arena and hockey team<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.naplesnews.com/story/sports/hockey/everblades/2019/08/05/hertz-arena-everblades-being-sold-naples-resident-david-hoffmann/1923596001/|title=Hertz Arena, Everblades being sold to Naples businessman David Hoffmann|website=Naples Daily News|language=en|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> as part of their plan to expand the entertainment segment in Southwest Florida.
=== Features of the Arena === Hertz Arena features LED lighting, luxury seating, a state-of-the-art sound system, video boards, a VIP lounge and much more. Some of the luxury seating options available at the arena include a lounge, suite and box seating. The arena's VIP lounge, which can be rented out for private events, contains a wide variety of amenities. The arena's video boards are used to broadcast live events and offer a variety of features, such as a multi-angle view, instant replays and a wide range of graphics.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hertz Arena - Estero, Florida {{!}} Living SWFL |url=https://www.livingswfl.com/posts/hertz-arena-estero-florida |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=Troy Robillard |language=en |archive-date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413015114/https://www.livingswfl.com/posts/hertz-arena-estero-florida |url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Tenants == The arena has been used as a multipurpose venue, primarily hosting the [[Florida Everblades]] [[ECHL]] [[ice hockey]] team. It was also the home for the [[Florida Flame]] [[NBA Development League]] team, the [[Florida Firecats]] and [[Florida Tarpons]] indoor football teams. Additionally, the venue has hosted various concerts, circuses, boxing, [[mixed martial arts]] events, [[All Elite Wrestling|AEW]] shows, [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] shows, [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] shows, [[Professional Bull Riders]] events and family shows.
The arena is also home to the [[Florida Gulf Coast University]] Eagles club hockey team of the [[American Collegiate Hockey Association]] (ACHA). In March 2006 and March 2010, the facility hosted the Division 3 ACHA National Championships and in March 2008 the Division 2 ACHA National Championships.<ref name=Div3>{{cite web|url=http://hockey.fgcu.edu/arena.html|title=2006 ACHA Division 3 Championship Website}}</ref>
The arena has also hosted a college hockey tournament, originally known as the Everblades College Classic and then the [[Florida College Hockey Classic]]. It was a four-team tournament was hosted by the [[Maine Black Bears men's hockey|University of Maine Black Bears]] and the [[Cornell Big Red|Cornell University Big Red]], and two other invited teams. The winner was awarded the [[Ned Harkness]] Cup.<ref>[http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=12389 Brush Makes Vision Into Reality In Florida] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023043706/http://www.echl.com/cgi-bin/mpublic.cgi?action=show_news&cat=1&id=12389 |date=October 23, 2007}} ECHL.com October 22, 2007</ref>
On March 9, 2022, the arena had its first televised wrestling event as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) had its tapings of ''[[AEW Dynamite|Dynamite]]'' and ''[[AEW Rampage|Rampage]]'', marking AEW's debut to the Southwest Florida market.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website}}
{{ECHL Arenas}} {{Music venues of Florida}} {{authority control}}
[[Category:1998 establishments in Florida]] [[Category:Basketball venues in Florida]] [[Category:Boxing venues in the United States]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Lee County, Florida]] [[Category:College ice hockey venues in the United States]] [[Category:Florida Flame]] [[Category:Indoor arenas in Florida]] [[Category:Ice hockey venues in Florida]] [[Category:Mixed martial arts venues in Florida]] [[Category:Music venues in Florida]] [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1998]] [[Category:Sports venues in Florida]] [[Category:Sports in Lee County, Florida]] [[Category:Wrestling venues in the United States]]