State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
The Highlight Factory | |
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Former names | Philips Arena (1999–2018) |
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Address | 1 Philips Drive |
Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
Coordinates | 33°45′26″N 84°23′47″W / 33.75722°N 84.39639°WCoordinates: 33°45′26″N 84°23′47″W / 33.75722°N 84.39639°W |
Public transit | Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit AuthorityDome / GWCC / Philips Arena / CNN Center |
Owner | Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority |
Operator | Atlanta Hawks |
Capacity |
Basketball: 19,445 (1999–2005) 18,729 (2005–2011) 18,371 (2011–2012) 18,238 (2012–2013),[1] 18,118 (2013–2014),[2] 18,047 (2014–2017)[3] 18,118 (2017–present)[4] Ice hockey: 18,545 (1999–2010), 17,624 (2010–2011) Concerts: 21,000+ |
Field size | 680,000 square feet (63,000 m2) |
Construction | |
Broke ground | June 5, 1997[5] |
Opened | September 18, 1999 |
Renovated | 2017–2018 |
Construction cost |
$213.5 million ($314 million in 2017 dollars[6]) |
Architect |
Populous (then HOK Sport) Arquitectonica (Expansion) |
Project manager | Barton Malow[7] |
Structural engineer | Thornton Tomasetti[8] |
Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc.[9] |
General contractor | Atlanta Arena Constructors (AAC), a joint venture of Beers Construction Co., Holder Construction Co., H.J. Russell & Co. and C.D. Moody Construction Co. |
Tenants | |
Atlanta Hawks (NBA) (1999–present) Atlanta Thrashers (NHL) (1999–2011) Georgia Force (AFL) (2002, 2005–2007) Atlanta Dream (WNBA) (2008–2016) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (NCAA) (2011–2012) |
State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Atlanta, Georgia. The arena serves as the home venue for the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Atlanta Hawks. It also served as home to the National Hockey League's Atlanta Thrashers from 1999 to 2011, before the team moved to Winnipeg, and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)'s Atlanta Dream from 2008 to 2016. It opened in 1999 at a cost of $213.5 million, replacing the Omni Coliseum. It is owned by the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and operated by the Hawks, owned by Tony Ressler along with a group of investors including Grant Hill.
Layout
The arena seats 19,050 for basketball and 17,624 for ice hockey. The largest crowd ever for an Atlanta Hawks basketball game at the arena was Game 6 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on May 2, 2008 (against the Boston Celtics), where there was an announced attendance of 20,425.[1] The arena includes 92 luxury suites, 9 party suites, and 1,866 club seats. For concerts and other entertainment events, the arena can seat 21,000.[10]
The arena was initially laid out in a rather unusual manner, with the club seats and luxury boxes aligned solely along one side of the playing surface, and the general admission seating along the other three sides (the arrangement was later emulated in Ford Field, UCF Arena, Soldier Field, Levi's Stadium, and other venues). This layout was a vast contrast to many of its contemporaries, which have their revenue-generating luxury boxes and club seats located in the 'belly' of the arena, thus causing the upper deck to be 2–4 stories higher. The layout at Philips was done so as to be able to bring the bulk of the seats closer to the playing surface while still making available a sufficient number of revenue-raising club seats and loges[10]; however, the 2017–18 renovations had removed the suite wall in favor of premium seating spread throughout the arena. Since 2005 for Hawks games[11] and for the 2010–11 Atlanta Thrashers season, the 400 level is curtained off, with the exception of playoff games and games against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.[12]
On the exterior, angled steel columns supporting the roof facing downtown spell out "ATLANTA." The side facing the Georgia World Congress Center originally spelled out "CNN" (whose headquarters adjoins the arena), but that section has since been altered to accommodate a Taco Mac restaurant. The Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center rail station below the arena provides access to MARTA public transportation.
Amsterdam-based technology company Philips purchased the initial naming rights to the arena in February 1999 for $185 million over 20 years. In February 2018, it was reported that Philips would not renew its naming rights agreement for the arena when it expires in June 2019, primarily due to Philips' withdrawal from the consumer electronics market in 2013.[13] On August 29, 2018, State Farm purchased the naming rights to the arena, in a deal that will last for 20 years and cost $175 million.[14][15][16]
For the 2007–2008 season, State Farm Arena utilized the new "see-through" shot clock units which allow spectators seated behind the basket to see the action without having the clocks interfere with their view, joining FedExForum, Wells Fargo Center, TD Garden, United Center, Talking Stick Resort Arena and the Spectrum Center. Video advertising panels replaced the traditional scrolling panels.
Banners
Atlanta Hawks
Title banners
- 1958 NBA championship
- 1970 Western Division Champions
- 1980, 1987, 1994 Central Division Champions
- 2015 Southeast Division Champions
Atlanta Hawks retired numbers | |||
No. | Player | Position | Tenure |
---|---|---|---|
9 | Bob Pettit | F | 1954–1965 |
21 | Dominique Wilkins | F | 1982–1994 |
23 | Lou Hudson | F, G | 1966–1977 |
44 | 'Pistol' Pete Maravich | SG | 1970–1973 |
55 | Dikembe Mutombo | C | 1996–2001 |
59 | Kasim Reed | Mayor of Atlanta | 2010–2018 |
— | Ted Turner | Owner | 1977–2001 |
Atlanta Dream
- 2010, 2011, 2013 Eastern Conference Champions
Atlanta Thrashers (1999–2011)
- 2006–07 Southeast Division Champions
Widespread Panic
- 20 Sold Out Shows; 1999–2013
History
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, many cities started building new state-of-the-art sporting venues for their NBA and/or NHL franchises, or in hopes of attaining one. Many of these arenas had modern amenities for their high-end customers, such as luxury boxes, club seats, and large, posh club-level concourses; some even had practice facilities on-site. These attractions were rarely found in arenas constructed in the early 1970s, when the Omni Coliseum was built. However, it is likely that the Omni would have had to be replaced in any event. It had been built using Cor-Ten weathering steel that was intended to seal itself, ensuring it would last for decades. However, the Omni's designers didn't account for Atlanta's humid climate. The Cor-Ten steel never stopped rusting, causing the arena to deteriorate faster than anticipated.
Ted Turner, owner of the Hawks at the time, wanted to bring NHL hockey back to Atlanta; the city's first NHL team, the Atlanta Flames, had moved to Calgary in 1980. However, the NHL determined that the Omni was not suitable even as a temporary facility due to its lack of amenities and structural problems. The league told Turner that it would only grant an expansion team on condition that a new arena be in place for the prospective team's inaugural season. After much consideration of possible other sites both in Downtown Atlanta and in the suburbs, it was decided that the Omni would be demolished in 1997, and a new arena would be built in the same location; the Omni was demolished on July 26, 1997. The Hawks split their games between the Georgia Dome and Alexander Memorial Coliseum for the next two seasons while Philips Arena was under construction.
Philips Arena held its first event with a September 1999 concert by the musician Sir Elton John. The Omni's "center-hung scoreboard" now hangs in the lobby of Philips Arena, where it still displays the Omni's logo along with those of Philips Arena, the Hawks, and the Thrashers (who never played in The Omni). The scoreboard still functions and displays information relevant to the game taking place in the arena. On April 2, 2009, Philips Arena achieved LEED for Existing Building: Operations and Maintenance certification as specified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It was the world's first LEED certified NBA/NHL arena.[10] It has been nicknamed the "Highlight Factory", due to the number of exciting plays, or highlights, that occur and Philips' history with lights and electronics.
Events
The arena hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2003 and the Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Basketball Tournament in 2012.
The first playoff game in any professional league played in Philips Arena was in 2005, when the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League hosted, and won, its first home playoff game. The first NHL playoff game in Philips Arena was in 2007, the Thrashers' only appearance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The first NBA playoff game in Philips Arena was in 2008, when the Hawks made the 2008 NBA Playoffs after an eight-season drought of missing the playoffs. On April 10, 2011, the Thrashers lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5–2, in their final game. Tim Stapleton scored the final goal for the Thrashers in team history.
The venue had been named the site of the 2005 Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament; however, when the NHL announced in early 2004 that the 55th NHL All-Star Game, scheduled for February 2005 would be held in Atlanta, arena officials withdrew the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament – which was then moved 140 miles to the northeast along Interstate 85 to the BI-LO Center in Greenville, South Carolina. Oddly, the arena would not even be the host of that planned All-Star Game due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. As a result, Atlanta became the second (San Jose being the first) city to lose a planned All-Star Game because of a labor dispute. Philips Arena would later be announced as home to the 56th NHL All-Star Game in 2008. Also, Philips Arena hosted game three of the 2010 WNBA Finals, where the Seattle Storm defeated the Atlanta Dream.
In 2013, Philips Arena hosted the finals of the men's NCAA Division II and Division III college basketball championships. The events were held as an undercard to the 2013 NCAA Final Four held at the Georgia Dome, in celebration of the 75th edition of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.
MMA & Wrestling
The arena hosted UFC 88[17], UFC 145, and UFC 201[18] in 2008, 2012, and 2016 respectively. Philips Arena also hosted the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the night before WrestleMania XXVII which was held at the Georgia Dome. Philips Arena also hosted Royal Rumble (2002), Backlash (2007), Royal Rumble (2010), Hell in a Cell (2012), and Survivor Series (2015).
Concerts
State Farm Arena is among the busiest arenas for concerts in the world, having sold well over 550,000 concert tickets in 2007[19] and ranked as the third-busiest arena in the U.S. in 2011.[20]
Other events
The arena hosted the 2004 US Figure Skating Championships.
Every year in January, the State Farm Arena hosts one of the largest Christian college aged conferences: Passion Conference. The conference typically takes place over the first weekend in the new year and features big names in the Christian world such as Louie Gigilio, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kristian Stanfill, John Piper, rap artist Lecrae and many more. The conference is typically sold out.
Renovations
Shortly after acquiring the Hawks and the operating rights to Philips Arena on June 24, 2015, Tony Ressler announced his intentions of remodeling the arena to keep the Hawks in Downtown Atlanta at a cost between $150 million and $250 million. The proposed renovation would rebuild the entire seating bowl to optimize its sightlines for basketball and remove the wall of suites which dominate one side of the arena and replace them with a more traditional suite configuration.[56] The Hawks are also in discussions with the city about building a mixed-use entertainment district similar to L.A. Live around Philips Arena, to better connect it to other nearby attractions such as Centennial Olympic Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium.[57] On November 1, 2016, the Hawks and the city of Atlanta reached a financing agreement on renovating Philips Arena, with the city contributing $142.5 million and the Hawks $50 million plus cost overruns to the project. With the renovation, the Hawks signed a lease extension lasting through June 30, 2046, with an early termination penalty of $200 million plus the remaining balance of the arena's bonds. Renovations officially began on June 21, 2017 and will be completed in two phases to allow the Hawks to play at Philips Arena during the 2017–18 NBA season. The renovations are expected to be fully completed in time for the 2018–19 NBA season to coincide with the Hawks' 50th anniversary in Atlanta.[58][59]
The first phase of renovations, completed during the Hawks' 2017 off-season, removed the suite wall and added the Courtside Club behind one of the baskets. Renovations for 2018 is described by Hawks chief operating officer Thad Sheely as a "gut rehab". The arena renovations brings new premium seating areas, a new center-hung videoboard three times larger than its predecessor, new dining options including a bar and grill operated by country group Zac Brown Band and other unique features including an in-arena barber shop operated by Atlanta rapper Killer Mike and Topgolf suites. The Hawks partnered with Atlanta-based Rubicon Global to recycle 12,500 seats removed during the arena transformation project.[60] Over 100,000 sq ft (9,290 m2) of former office and storage space within the arena is being repurposed as "fan space". Renovations are scheduled to be completed by October 15, 2018, while the Hawks' first game at the remodeled State Farm Arena is scheduled for October 24, 2018 against the Dallas Mavericks.[61][62][63][64]
Due to the renovations conflicting with the WNBA schedule, the Dream announced that they would move their 2017 and 2018 home schedules to McCamish Pavilion on the campus of Georgia Tech, mirroring the Hawks' move to the same venue between the time the Omni was razed and State Farm Arena was built.[65]
Tornado
On March 14, 2008, an EF1 Tornado struck near Philips Arena. The arena only received minor exterior damage.
References
- 1 2 "2012-13 Atlanta Hawks Media Guide" (PDF). Atlanta Hawks. p. 295. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ↑ "2013-14 Atlanta Hawks Media Guide" (PDF). Atlanta Hawks. p. 282. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ↑ "2014-15 Atlanta Hawks Media Guide" (PDF). Atlanta Hawks. p. 288. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
- ↑ Vivlamore, Chris (September 27, 2017). "Renovations Will Reduce Philips Arena Seating Capacity". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 2, 2017.
- ↑ "Turner Hopes Arena a Start On Bigger Plan". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 6, 1997.
- ↑ Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ↑ Suppes, BALLPARKS.com by Munsey and. "Philips Arena". Hockey.ballparks.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ "Thornton Tomasetti - Sports/Entertainment Brochure" (PDF). S3.amazonaws.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ "Philips Arena – M-E Engineering". Me-engineers.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- 1 2 3 "Philips Arena Media Guide". Philipsdarena.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ Tucker, Tim (November 6, 2005). "The Business of Sports". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ↑ Maniscalo, Mike (December 17, 2010). "Atlanta Still a Terrible Sports Town". WCMC Radio. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
- ↑ Muret, Don. "Sources: Philips Won't Renew Naming Rights". Venues Today. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
- ↑ "State Farm and Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club Announce Generational Collaboration To Transform City of Atlanta". Hawks.com (Press release). NBA Media Ventures, LLC. August 30, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ↑ "Welcome to the Neighborhood". StateFarmArena.com. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ↑ Vivlamore, Chris (August 30, 2018). "Hawks reach arena naming rights agreement with State Farm". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
- ↑ "Liddell-Evans Headlines UFC 88 in Atlanta on September 6". UFC.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ↑ Tristen Critchfield (2016-05-04). "Robbie Lawler vs. Tyron Woodley targeted for UFC 201 headliner in Atlanta". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ↑ Pavia, Will (January 5, 2008). "From Unwanted Empty Shell to the World's Busiest Venue". The Times. London.
- ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (February 14, 2012). "Philips Arena Ranked Third Busiest in the Nation". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
- ↑ "YouTube". Youtube.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ Dickerson, James L. (2001). Faith Hill: Piece of My Heart. Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 0-312-28195-1. pp. 139–140.
- ↑ Saraceno, Christina (20 October 2000). "N Sync's Would-Be Assassin's Plot Foiled". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 26 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
- ↑ Taraborrelli 2002, p. 90
- ↑ Sonia Murry (2001-09-09), "Janet Jackson a hit at Philips No sign of recent illnesses during energetic show", The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p. E.16
- ↑ "Monday, November 5th, 2001 – Atlanta, GA – Phillips Arena » Jimmy Buffett World". Buffettworld.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ "DMBAlmanac.com²". Dmbalmanac.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ "Saturday, February 1st, 2003 – Atlanta, GA – Phillips Arena » Jimmy Buffett World". Buffettworld.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑
- ↑ "Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 – Atlanta, GA – Phillips Arena » Jimmy Buffett World". Buffettworld.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ Kloer, Phil (2009-04-28). "Springsteen rocks hard". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2009-04-29.
- ↑ "DMBAlmanac.com²". Dmbalmanac.com. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
- ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (7 April 2011). "Sade returns with new tour, hits collection". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
- ↑ Copeland, Larry (October 29, 2011). "Jay-Z and Kanye's joint tour opens in Atlanta". USA Today. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ Staff (October 29, 2011). "JAY-Z AND KANYE WEST KICK OFF 'WATCH THE THRONE' TOUR IN ATLANTA". Rap-Up. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ Idolator Staff (October 29, 2011). "Jay-Z And Kanye West Kick Off Their Watch The Throne Tour In Atlanta". Idolator. Retrieved October 29, 2011.
- ↑ Robb Cohen (2011-11-03). "Axl Rose and Guns N' Roses Rock Out Philips Arena Wednesday Night | Atlanta Music Scene". Blogs.ajc.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
- ↑ Lee, Christina (2013-04-20). "Taylor Swift Joined By B.o.B In Atlanta: Watch Them Perform "Both Of Us"". Idolator.
- ↑ "Rod Stewart Reschedules "Live The Life" Tour Dates". Rod Stewart. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
- ↑ Lawrence, Jesse (May 5, 2014). "After Initial Rise, Prices For Lady Gaga Tickets Starting To Dip For ARTPOP Ball Dates". Forbes. Archived from the original on May 10, 2014. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ↑ Melissa Ruggieri (May 13, 2014). "Concert review: Cher says goodbye to Atlanta with a sequined spectacle". Access Atlanta. Archived from the original on May 17, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
- ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa. "Concert review: Garth Brooks roars in Atlanta return". AJC. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- ↑ Hall, Tara. "Garth Brooks breaks record with Chicago, Atlanta shows and ticket sales". SoundSpike. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
- ↑ "Paul McCartney June Dates Re-Scheduled To October". PaulMcCartney.com. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
- ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (August 20, 2015). "The Weeknd announces fall tour, including Atlanta concert". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ↑ "Madonna Reschedules First Five Rebel Heart Tour Dates". Billboard. May 21, 2015. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ↑ "Watch Justin Bieber and Ludacris Perform "Baby" Like It's 2010 All Over Again". TeenVogue. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ "Watch Justin Bieber and Usher Reunite on Stage". TeenVogue. Retrieved 2016-04-14.
- ↑ Platon, Adelle (February 18, 2016). "Rihanna Postpones 'Anti' Tour Dates". Billboard. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ Ruggieri, Melissa (June 30, 2016). "Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas launch tour in Atlanta with heart and soul". ajc.com. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ Estevez, Marjua (June 30, 2016). "Demi Lovato & Nick Jonas Open Tour In ATL With Hometown Hero T.I." vibe.com. SpinMedia. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
- ↑ "Concert review: Bon Jovi proves resiliency on 'This House is Not for Sale' tour". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 2017-02-09. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ↑ Smith, Chad (April 14, 2017). "Wear something colorful tonite Atlanta! Shooting Goodbye Angels videopic.twitter.com/IyzRQESH0k". Twitter.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ↑ Stafford, Leon (December 18, 2017). "Concert review: Janet Jackson "Controls" Atlanta at Philips Arena". myAJC. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ↑ A., Sam (December 18, 2017). "Janet Jackson Closes 'State Of The World Tour' With A Bang / Brings Missy Elliott, 'So Excited,' & More To ATL". That Grape Juice. Retrieved December 24, 2017.
- ↑ Trubey, J. Scott; Vivlamore, Chris (October 22, 2015). "Atlanta may help pay for arena remodel to keep Hawks downtown". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ↑ Bluestein, Greg; Trubey, J. Scott (March 7, 2016). "Hawks, city in talks for entertainment district at Philips Arena". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
- ↑ Trubey, J. Scott; Vivlamore, Chris. "Kasim Reed announces deal to keep Hawks in Philips Arena". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
- ↑ Tucker, Tim. "LEADOFF: Hawks 'set to begin' Philips Arena renovation today". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
- ↑ Mike, Sunnucks (30 May 2018). "Hawks Recycling 12,500 Seats As Part Of Philips Arena Renovation". SportsBusiness Daily. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
- ↑ Tucker, Tim. "Extreme makeover is transforming Philips Arena". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
- ↑ "Zac Brown's Social Club". Atlanta Hawks. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ↑ "The New Philips Arena Entertainment". Atlanta Hawks. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Atlanta Hawks Host Dallas in 2018-19 Home Opener on Oct. 24 on ESPN". Atlanta Hawks. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ↑ Vivlamore, Chris. "What Philips Arena renovations will mean for Hawks seasons". The Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved August 24, 2016.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to State Farm Arena (Atlanta). |
Events and tenants | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Georgia Dome |
Home of the Atlanta Hawks 1999–present |
Succeeded by current |
Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Atlanta Thrashers 1999–2011 |
Succeeded by Bell MTS Place (as Winnipeg Jets) |
Preceded by Arena at Gwinnett Center |
Home of the Georgia Force 2004–2007 |
Succeeded by Arena at Gwinnett Center |
Preceded by first arena |
Home of the Atlanta Dream 2008 – 2016 |
Succeeded by McCamish Pavilion |
Preceded by New Orleans Arena Joe Louis Arena |
Home of the Royal Rumble 2002 2010 |
Succeeded by FleetCenter TD Garden |
Preceded by American Airlines Center |
Host of the NHL All-Star Game 2008 |
Succeeded by Bell Centre |