Maverik Center facts for kids
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The Maverik Center during the 2002 Winter Olympics
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 Maverik Center
Location in Utah
Maverik Center
Location in the United States
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| Former names | E Center (1997–2010) |
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| Location | 3200 South Decker Lake Drive West Valley City, Utah United States |
| Coordinates | 40°42′9.8″N 111°57′1.5″W / 40.702722°N 111.950417°W |
| Owner | City of West Valley City |
| Operator | Centennial Management Group, Inc. |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 10,100 Basketball: 12,500 Concerts: up to 12,000 Boxing Wrestling: 12,600 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 22, 1996 |
| Opened | September 22, 1997 |
| Construction cost | US$54.1 million ($98.6 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | HOK Sport Valentiner, Crane, Brunjes, Onyon |
| Structural engineer | Reaveley Engineers & Associates Inc. |
| Services engineer | Colvin Engineering Associates |
| General contractor | Turner Construction |
| Tenants | |
| Utah Grizzlies (IHL/AHL) (1997–2005) Utah Freezz (WISL) (1999–2001) Utah Warriors (NIFL) (2003–2004) Utah Grizzlies (ECHL) (2005–present) Utah Blaze (AFL) (2010) Salt Lake Screaming Eagles (IFL) (2017) Pac-12 Gymnastics Championships (2020–present) Salt Lake City Stars (NBA G-League) (2022–present) |
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The Maverik Center is a big indoor stadium in West Valley City, Utah. It can hold up to 12,600 people for different events. It used to be called the E Center.
Building the arena started in 1996. It opened its doors for the first time on September 22, 1997. The city of West Valley City owns the arena. A company called Centennial Management Group runs it.
This arena was a main spot for ice hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It also hosted sledge hockey during the 2002 Winter Paralympics. Today, it's home to the Utah Grizzlies hockey team and the Salt Lake City Stars basketball team. It also hosts many concerts and live shows.
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History of the Maverik Center
In July 1995, Salt Lake City won the bid to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. Soon after, the Olympic Committee agreed to a plan. West Valley City would build a new ice hockey place.
The Olympic Committee loaned $7 million to the city for building costs. They would rent the arena for the Olympic Games. The city of West Valley City would own the arena. It would be used for many events before and after the games.
Construction began on March 22, 1996. The E Center was finished in September 1997. It was officially opened on September 19, 1997. The very first event there was a wrestling show called WCW Monday Nitro Live on September 22, 1997.
How the Arena Got Its Name
In 2010, the company that runs the arena, Centennial Management Group, made a deal. They partnered with Maverik, Inc., a company that owns convenience stores. This deal included the naming rights for the arena.
The arena was renamed the Maverik Center. This partnership also meant Maverik would have special ads inside and outside the building. The arena now has a fun "adventure theme" like Maverik stores. It also sells some of Maverik's special products.
Teams and Events at the Maverik Center
Current Teams
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The main team that plays here is the Utah Grizzlies. They are an ECHL hockey team. The Grizzlies have played at the arena since 2005. They replaced an older team with the same name.
On October 10, 2022, it was announced that another team would move in. The Salt Lake City Stars now play their home games here. They are a basketball team in the NBA G-League, which is like a development league for the NBA.
Past Teams and Events
The arena has hosted several other teams in the past. The Utah Freezz, a soccer team, played here from 1999 to 2001.
In indoor football, the Utah Warriors played here from 2003 to 2004. The Utah Blaze also played a season here in 2010. They later moved back to their old stadium. In 2017, the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles played here. This team was unique because fans helped make decisions for the team.
The PBR also held a bull riding event here in 2007. It was their first time in the Salt Lake City area since 2000.
The Maverik Center at the 2002 Winter Olympics
The Maverik Center was a key place for ice hockey during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Hockey games were held over six days in 31 different sessions. The arena could hold 8,400 fans for these competitions.
Almost all tickets were sold, with over 230,000 people watching events there. After the Olympics, the arena also hosted ice sledge hockey events. This was part of the 2002 Winter Paralympics.
Concerts and Live Shows
The Maverik Center is a popular spot for concerts. Many famous bands and singers have performed here.
- In 1998, the band Phish played a special show. They performed Pink Floyd's entire The Dark Side of the Moon album.
- Depeche Mode has played at the arena three times. They performed in 2001, 2005, and 2009. Their 2009 show was recorded for their live albums.
- Other big names like One Direction (in 2013) and Sam Smith (in 2015) have also performed at the Maverik Center.
