The ground breaking for the Verizon Wireless Arena took place in April 2000, and took nearly one and a half years to complete the facility. On November 15, 2001, we celebrated the grand opening of the Verizon Wireless Arena. The Manchester Monarchs, of the American Hockey League, played their first home game on November 16, and Aerosmith performed the following night.

Seating capacity for the Verizon Wireless Arena varies, depending upon each individual event. For example, hockey games seat approximately 10,019, basketball seats 11,140 people, end stage concerts hold about 10,050, while center stage concerts seat about 11,770.

Fun Facts

• The Verizon Wireless Arena site is on 8.03 acres with 2,650 tons of asphalt.
• The arena has 18 soda dispensers, 38 beer towers, 38 cash registers, and six ticket windows.
• The arena has 34 suites, 5 party suites, and 542 club seats.
• 11 miles of ice floor piping, 3,000 light bulbs, and 350 doors.
• Arenas like it: None