For the second consecutive summer, the Florida Panthers brought the Stanley Cup to the sand, surf, and spirited locals of Fort Lauderdale Beach.
Just hours after sealing their second straight championship with a dominant 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers kicked off their celebrations Wednesday morning at the legendary Elbo Room — an iconic beachfront bar that has become synonymous with their victory traditions.
Fans began gathering outside the Elbo Room before sunrise, hoping to recreate the magic of last year’s Cup party. They weren’t disappointed.
Panthers captain Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov made a surprise early appearance, walking in just after dawn to a wave of cheers and chants. He didn’t come empty-handed — Barkov had Lord Stanley’s Cup in tow, and by 7 a.m., he was pouring beer straight from the trophy into plastic cups and cheering alongside fans clad in red, navy, and gold.
Soon after, the rest of the Panthers began to trickle in. Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Gustav Forsling joined the fray, with Tkachuk leading a champagne shower from the upstairs deck. Sam Bennett, fresh off being named the 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, also made the rounds, hugging fans and posing for selfies with his newly-earned MVP hardware.
At one point, visiting players including Nate Schmidt and even Bruins veteran Brad Marchand made surprise appearances — a nod to the respect the Panthers have earned league-wide with their historic playoff runs.
Despite the joy, the Cup didn’t emerge unscathed. A spokesperson from the Hockey Hall of Fame confirmed Thursday that the trophy sustained a minor crack during the on-ice celebration following Game 6, likely during the team photo session or as players’ families joined the festivities. “The Cup Keepers are taking the appropriate steps and plan to have it repaired in time for the Parade on Sunday,” the Hall confirmed.
The festivities didn’t end at the Elbo Room. After some midday downtime — which reportedly included a rowdy afternoon pool party at Tkachuk’s home — the team gathered for a private dinner at Earl’s Kitchen and Bar on Las Olas Boulevard.
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis confirmed that the official championship parade will take place on Sunday at noon, with the route traveling down scenic A1A along Fort Lauderdale Beach. Thousands are expected to line the streets to honor the franchise’s incredible repeat run.
For the Florida Panthers and their passionate fanbase, it was more than just another party with the Cup — it was a cementing of legacy, community, and a celebration of back-to-back glory.
