VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

It was built in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan to replace the outdated coliseum.[6]

On March 12, 2019, a 19–0 vote led to VyStar Credit Union becoming a sponsor for the arena.[7] The 15-year agreement includes an annual contribution to the veterans trust fund along with upkeep of the arena. It is corporately sponsored despite a city ordinance that on its face prohibits the arena from having such a name. The ordinance does not cover any other venues, which allows for two other venues in Duval County to have corporate sponsors, most notably TIAA Bank Field.[8]

The arena was designed, using state-of-the-art techniques, to have the acoustical characteristics necessary for concerts.[10] The first artist to hold a concert in the Arena was Elton John in November 2003. Since that time, dozens of groups, including country, rap, rock, and others, have performed at the arena.

Sporting events hosted include the 2004 USA Men's Olympic basketball team in their only game played in the United States, as well as some early round games of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2019.

On October 17, 2006 an episode of ECW on Sci-Fi was held in the arena.[11] In 2007, WWE held the Pay-Pay view event One Night Stand (2007) in the arena and as of 2017 it has been their first and only major event to be held in the arena. However, a WWE Raw episode was held on August 6, 2018.

The arena found huge success when the arena became the home of the Jacksonville Sharks in 2010 when they were introduced as an expansion team of the Arena Football League. The team was founded by former Orlando Predators executive Jeff Bouchy who is also the brother of former Orlando Predators owner Brett Bouchy. The Sharks generally have maintained the highest attendance among the arena's regular tenants.

It was the host for the Davis Cup first round tie between the US and Brazil on the weekend of February 1–3, 2013. It has also hosted PBR Built Ford Tough Series events in the past.

In 2016, Rihanna opened her Anti World Tour here. The event had an audience of 11,000 people.

On December 1, 2019 Ariana Grande had a concert at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, which was part of her Sweetener World Tour.

Céline Dion will kick off the 2020 leg of her Courage World Tour here on January 8. It will be her first performance in Jacksonville.

The arena also held Ultimate Fighting Championship bouts in May 2020, one of the few sporting events to be held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The arena is scheduled to hold days 2-4 of the 2020 Republican National Convention from August 25 to August 27.[12]

Currently, the arena is home to the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League, the Jacksonville Giants of the American Basketball Association, and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.[13] It also hosted the 2011 ABA All-Star Game, which took place on February 26, 2011.[14]

The arena was home to the Jacksonville Barracudas ice hockey team from 2003 to 2007 until they relocated to a smaller hockey arena in the area. In 2012, it was home to the Jacksonville Bullies of the Professional Lacrosse League.[15] In 2013 and 2014, it was also home to the Jacksonville Breeze of the Legends Football League.

In addition to its athletic tenants, the arena is also host to the annual graduation ceremonies of the area high schools.