PeoplesBank Arena facts for kids
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The PeoplesBank Arena logo
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The PeoplesBank Arena with empty seats with the ice configuration
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 PeoplesBank Arena
Location in Connecticut
PeoplesBank Arena
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Hartford Civic Center (1975–2007) XL Center (2007–2025) |
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| Address | 1 Civic Center Plaza |
| Location | Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 41°46′06″N 72°40′37″W / 41.76833°N 72.67694°W |
| Public transit |   Hartford  38, 60, 62, 64, 66, 72, 74, 76, Dash |
| Owner | City of Hartford |
| Operator | Oak View Group |
| Capacity | Concerts: 20,500 Basketball: 15,684 Ice hockey: 14,750 (9,801 with curtain system) |
| Surface | 200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 2, 1971 |
| Opened | January 9, 1975 |
| Closed | 1978–1980 (roof collapse, renovations), Q2 2025 (renovations) |
| Construction cost | originally $30 million ($163 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Kling & Associates Danos and Associates |
| Project manager | Gilbane Building Company |
| Structural engineer | Fraoli, Blum, and Yesselman, Engineers |
| General contractor | William L. Crow Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) (1997–present) UConn Huskies (NCAA) Men's basketball (1975–present) Women's basketball (1975–present) Men's ice hockey (2014–present) New England/Hartford Whalers (WHA/NHL) (1975–1997) Boston Celtics (NBA) (1975–1995) Hartford Hellions (MISL) (1980–1981) Connecticut Coyotes (AFL) (1995–1996) New England Blizzard (ABL) (1996–1998) Connecticut Pride (CBA) (1993–2000) New England Sea Wolves (AFL) (1999–2000) |
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The PeoplesBank Arena is a large building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut, used for many different events. It's like a giant sports stadium and convention center all in one! It used to be called the Hartford Civic Center and later the XL Center.
The City of Hartford owns this arena, and a group called OVG manages it. It first opened in 1975. The arena is one of the biggest college basketball venues in the country. It has two main parts: the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Exhibition Center. In 2007, it was renamed the XL Center, and in June 2025, it became the PeoplesBank Arena.
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What Happens at PeoplesBank Arena?
The PeoplesBank Arena is a busy place! It's the main home for the Hartford Wolf Pack hockey team. It also hosts many games for the University of Connecticut (UConn) men's and women's basketball teams. The UConn Huskies men's ice hockey team also plays most of its home games here.
Past Teams and Famous Moments
Many teams have called this arena home over the years. The Hartford Whalers hockey team played here from 1975 to 1997. The Boston Celtics basketball team also played some of their home games here between 1975 and 1995. A famous basketball player, Larry Bird, even made an amazing shot here once! Other teams like the Hartford Hellions (soccer) and the Connecticut Coyotes (arena football) also played at the arena.
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Arena Size and Events
The arena can hold a lot of people! It seats about 15,635 for hockey games and 16,294 for basketball games. For concerts, it can fit up to 20,500 fans. It also has special luxury suites and a club area. The arena floor is huge, about 25,000 square feet, which means it can host trade shows, conventions, circuses, and ice shows. Many local colleges also hold their graduation ceremonies here each year.
Arena History and Changes
Early Days and a Roof Collapse
When the arena first opened in 1975, it could seat 10,507 people for hockey. But something unexpected happened in 1978. The arena's roof collapsed early one morning! Luckily, no one was hurt because it happened when the building was empty.
Engineers later found that the roof wasn't built strong enough. There were problems with the design and how it was put together. The building was closed for two years for major repairs. It reopened in 1980, stronger and safer than before.
The Whalers Leave and the Wolf Pack Arrive
The Hartford Whalers hockey team played at the arena until 1997. The team's owner wanted a new arena, but plans didn't work out. So, the Whalers moved away and became the Carolina Hurricanes.
But Hartford didn't stay without a hockey team for long! The New York Rangers brought their farm team, the Hartford Wolf Pack, to the arena in 1997. The Wolf Pack have been playing here ever since, except for a short time when they were called the Connecticut Whale.
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Modern Upgrades and New Name
In 2007, the arena was renamed the XL Center. Over the years, it received many improvements. In 2010, a new scoreboard with four large screens and a modern sound system were added.
More big upgrades happened in 2014. These included better locker rooms, new concourse areas, and a new high-definition video board. There were also new seating options and a bar area.
2025 Renovations and New Identity
The arena is currently undergoing a major renovation project costing $138 million. These upgrades include brand new seating, improved concourses, and new spaces for events and teams. The arena is closed for these renovations during the summer of 2025.
It will reopen on October 17, 2025, with a Hartford Wolf Pack game. On June 2, 2025, the arena officially changed its name to PeoplesBank Arena, thanks to a new 10-year partnership.
Exciting Events at the Arena
The PeoplesBank Arena hosts a wide variety of events, from sports to concerts and more!
Upcoming Events
| Date | Event |
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| 10/17/25 | Hartford Wolf Pack Season Opener vs Wilkes-Barre Scranton |
| 10/18/25 | UConn Men's Ice Hockey vs Ohio State |
| 10/22/25 | Hartford Wolf Pack vs Springfield Thunderbirds |
| 10/24/25 | Hartford Wolf Pack vs Bridgeport Islanders |
| 10/25/25 | Stevie Nicks North American Tour |
| 10/29/25 | Hartford Wolf Pack vs Charlotte Checkers |
| 10/31/25 | Hartford Wolf Pack vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms |
| 11/13/25 | Bert Kreischer Permission to Party Tour |
| 11/16/25 | UConn Women's Basketball vs Ohio State |
| 12/6/25 | Pentatonix Christmas in the City Tour |
| 12/13/25 | Andrea Bocelli Live in Concert |
Hockey Highlights
- The arena hosted the NHL All-Star Game in 1986.
- The NHL Entry Draft was also held here in 1994, where new players are chosen by teams.
College Basketball Tournaments
The PeoplesBank Arena has been a popular spot for college basketball tournaments, including:
- The American Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament in 2015 and 2017.
- The Big East Conference and America East Conference men's basketball tournaments.
- It has hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Tournament six times.
- The arena also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Women's Tournament in 2007 and a regional final in 2004.
Concerts and Shows
Many famous musicians have performed at the arena. The rock band Grateful Dead played here 18 times! Some of their live performances from the arena were even released as albums.
Gymnastics Events
The arena has also hosted exciting gymnastics competitions:
- The Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions in 2016.
- The 2024 Core Hydration Classic Women's Gymnastics Meet, which was a big event before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- The 1980 USGF International Invitational, a special gymnastics event for countries that didn't go to the 1980 Summer Olympics.
Other Fun Events
- The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) brought their bull riding show to the arena in 2011.
- Many professional wrestling events have taken place here, including WrestleMania XI and Money in the Bank.
UConn Huskies Home Games
The PeoplesBank Arena is a second home for the UConn Huskies men's and women's basketball teams. The UConn men's ice hockey team also moved its primary home games here in 2014.
UConn Hockey Attendance Records
| Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
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| February 1, 2025 | #7 Providence | L 6–3 | 11,781 |
| February 9, 2019 | Merrimack | W 5–0 | 8,211 |
| November 15, 2014 | #3 Boston College | W 1–0 | 8,089 |
| November 22, 2014 | #3 Boston University | L 2–5 | 7,712 |
| February 16, 2018 | #20 Boston University | W 5–4OT | 7,372 |
Exhibition Center
The Exhibition Center is a large space used for trade shows, conventions, banquets, and meetings. It has a big exhibit hall, an assembly hall that can be divided into smaller rooms, and several other meeting rooms.
The shopping mall that used to be next to the arena was taken down in 2004. In its place, new shops and a tall 36-story apartment building called Hartford 21 were built. This building opened in 2006 and is the tallest residential tower between New York City and Boston.
Getting to the Arena
It's easy to get to the PeoplesBank Arena! Many CT Transit bus routes stop nearby. It's also just a ten-minute walk from Hartford Union Station, where you can catch a train from cities like New Haven or Springfield.
See also
In Spanish: XL Center para niños
- List of convention centers in the United States
- List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
