[7] The arena has capacity for 19,500 people,[8] including 2,105 club seats, 80 luxury suites, and 76 private boxes.

[9][10] In 1997, the owners of the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association, which then played in the eight-year-old, publicly financed Miami Arena, threatened to move to Broward County unless they were given the $38 million parcel of land for the new arena by Alex Penelas, then-mayor of Miami-Dade County.

Architectural design team members included George Heinlein, Cristian Petschen, Reinaldo Borges, and Lance Simon.

[13] Two days later, on January 2, 2000, the Miami Heat played its first game in the new arena by defeating the Orlando Magic 111–103.

The design was visible from airplanes taking off and landing at Miami International Airport, where American has a hub.

[15] The arena is known for its unusual scoreboard, designed by artist Christopher Janney and installed in 1998 as part of the original construction.

[19][20][21][22] The American Airlines Arena court decals were removed from the Heat's floor before the 2020–21 season and replaced temporarily with the logo of team/league vehicle sponsor Kia Motors.

[30] In October 2024, it was announced that the court would be dedicated to longtime coach and executive Pat Riley, who led the Heat to three championships and helped the team acquire LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010.

On April 25, 2003, the arena hosted the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Florida, UFC 42: Sudden Impact.

[36] Notable musicians to perform at the arena include Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Gloria Estefan, Phish,[38] Shakira, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue, Mariah Carey, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Britney Spears, U2, Soda Stereo, Kanye West, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Coldplay,[39] Jennifer Lopez, SZA, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Hillsong United, Justin Timberlake, One Direction, Katy Perry, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande,[40] Chris Brown, Janet Jackson, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Rihanna,[41] Selena Gomez,[42] Maroon 5, Adele,[43] Carrie Underwood, Jimmie Allen, Ricardo Arjona,[44] RBD,[45] and Tini.