The Florida Panthers are set to light up Amerant Bank Arena with their annual ¡Vamos Gatos! Night on February 2, 2026, against the Buffalo Sabres. This celebration honors South Florida’s vibrant Hispanic community through custom jerseys, music, dance, and authentic cuisine. The newly unveiled 2025-26 jerseys stand out as the most intricate yet, blending cultural motifs with hockey flair.
The legacy of ¡Vamos Gatos! Night
¡Vamos Gatos! Night has become a cornerstone of the Panthers’ fan experience, marking one home game each season as a tribute to Hispanic heritage. Introduced in recent years, it features lively pregame parties, Latin music, salsa dancers, and food trucks serving specialties beyond arena staples like chicken tenders.
Past events have showcased jerseys adorned with pineapples, cafecito cups, and flags from Latin American nations. These artist-driven designs turn the ice into a canvas, fostering community pride and drawing diverse crowds to Amerant Bank Arena.
The Panthers amplify inclusion through initiatives like the LATAM Cup tournament and Hispanic Excellence program, recognizing local leaders in business, education, and healthcare. This year’s event builds on that foundation, promising even more immersive experiences.
Fans have embraced the tradition, with galleries of past murals by artists like Ktano86 and Augusto Falopapas highlighting the ongoing collaboration between the team and South Florida’s creative scene.
Breaking down the 2025-26 jersey design
Jonathan “Rekal” Torres infused the jerseys with personal and cultural symbols. The crest and numbers feature patterns from indigenous Colombian heritage, reflecting Rekal’s background.
Hockey sticks under the Panthers logo sport domino tiles on the blades, nodding to a beloved Hispanic pastime. A Cuban link chain—reminiscent of one worn by Rekal’s father—circles the mascot’s neck, with “Vamos Gatos” pendants swaying from it.
Shoulder patches add playful touches: one shows a rat against Florida’s silhouette, honoring the team’s unofficial playoff mascot, while the other depicts a panther claw clutching a puck.
- Cultural patterns: Indigenous Colombian motifs on crest and numbers.
- Domino hockey sticks: Blades as game tiles.
- Cuban chain necklace: Personal family tribute with event slogan.
- Rat shoulder patch: State outline and fan tradition reference.
- Claw and puck: Opposite shoulder for team spirit.
These elements make the jerseys a wearable story of heritage and hockey.
Inside the mind of designer Rekal
Jonathan “Rekal” Torres, a Colombia-born illustrator and graffiti artist based in South Florida, drew from childhood passions. “As a kid, I was really into sports but not for the reason a lot of kids are into sports,” Rekal said. “I was into the mascots and the jerseys and the designs. Being that it’s ‘¡Vamos Gatos! Night,’ I really wanted to plug in those Latin flavors into the design.”
His work merges street art with sports iconography, evident in the jerseys’ bold colors and intricate details. Rekal’s heritage shines through, making the design authentic and resonant.
The Panthers selected him to capture the essence of their diverse fanbase. For full details on the unveiling, check the ESPN feature.
What to expect at the February 2 event
¡Vamos Gatos! Night kicks off with a pregame bash on Publix Plaza, complete with food trucks, salsa dancers, and scarf giveaways from Ford. All fans get a mini pennant upon entry.
Inside the arena, enjoy live Latin bands in the Coors Light Cold Zone, a special margarita, and Hispanic dishes at Coca-Cola stands. A live painter on the concourse adds artistic energy.
The team will honor Hispanic Excellence recipients during the game, spotlighting community contributors. Mystery-signed pucks benefit the Panthers Foundation.
Exclusive jerseys go on sale at Inside the Boards shop. Tickets and packages, including limited-edition T-shirts, are available via the official Panthers announcement.
Gear up with Vamos Gatos merchandise
While game-worn jerseys are arena exclusives, the FLA Team Shop offers plenty of options. Standouts include the Zephyr 2026 Vamos Gatos long-sleeve T-shirt for $65 and the navy T-shirt at $50.
Youth fans can grab a Maingate T-shirt for $30, and there’s a Dynasty crew sweatshirt for $60. These pieces capture the design’s vibrancy for everyday wear.
Shop online at flateamshop.com to rep the Gatos before puck drop.
¡Vamos Gatos! Night exemplifies the Panthers’ commitment to cultural celebration amid their Stanley Cup dominance. As the team defends its back-to-back titles, events like this strengthen fan bonds and grow hockey’s reach in Hispanic communities. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in style on February 2.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.