Ball Arena

Last updated

Ball Arena
Ball Arena logo.svg
Ball Arena exterior 2022.jpg
Ball Arena in 2022
USA Colorado relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ball Arena
Location within Colorado
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Ball Arena
Location within the United States
Former namesPepsi Center (1999–2020)
Address1000 Chopper Circle
Location Denver, Colorado
Coordinates 39°44′55″N105°0′27″W / 39.74861°N 105.00750°W / 39.74861; -105.00750
Public transit RTD:
BSicon TRAM1.svg   E    W  
at Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens station
Owner Kroenke Sports and Entertainment
Capacity 18,000 [1]
Detailed capacity
  • Basketball:
  • 19,520 (2017–present) [2]
  • 19,718 (2016–17) [3]
  • 19,155 (2006–16) [4]
  • 19,099 (1999–2006)
  • Hockey: 17,809 (2017–present) [5]
  • Lacrosse:17,809 (2017–present) [5]
  • Arena Football: 17,417 [4]
  • Concerts: 20,000 [4]
  • Special events: 21,000 [4]
Field size675,000 sq ft (62,700 m2)
Construction
Broke groundNovember 20, 1997 [6]
OpenedOctober 1, 1999 [6]
Construction costUS$187 million
(US$355 million in 2023 dollars [7] )
Architect HOK Sport [8]
Project managerICON Venue Group [9]
Structural engineer Thornton Tomasetti
Services engineerM-E Engineers [10]
General contractor Mortenson Construction [11]
Tenants
Colorado Avalanche (NHL) (1999–present)
Denver Nuggets (NBA) (1999–present)
Colorado Mammoth (NLL) (2003–present)
Colorado Crush (AFL) (2003–2008)
Website
ballarena.com

Ball Arena (formerly known as Pepsi Center) is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Denver, Colorado. It is situated at Speer Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in downtown Denver, and is served by two nearby exits off Interstate 25. A light rail station is on the western side of the complex. Opened in 1999, it is the home arena of the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

Contents

History

Original Pepsi Center logo (1999-2009) Pepsi Center logo (1999-2009).svg
Original Pepsi Center logo (1999–2009)

The arena replaced McNichols Sports Arena as the home of the Avalanche and Nuggets. Groundbreaking for the arena on the 4.6-acre (19,000 m2) site was held on November 20, 1997 before reaching completion and opening in October 1999. [4] Also included in the complex are a basketball practice facility used by the Nuggets, and the Breckenridge Brewery Mountain House [12] , a restaurant accessible from within and outside the Center itself. The atrium of the building houses a suspended sculpture depicting various hockey and basketball athletes in action poses.[ citation needed ]

Prior to the 2013–14 season, the octagonal scoreboard that was in use since the arena's opening was replaced with a new four-sided rectangular scoreboard. The two center faces measure 27 by 48 feet (8.2 m × 14.6 m) long, while the two end faces measure 21 by 25 feet (6.4 m × 7.6 m) wide. [13]

From its opening through 2020, the naming rights to the arena were held by PepsiCo, under which it was known as Pepsi Center. On October 22, 2020, the naming rights were sold to Broomfield-based Ball Corporation as part of a global multi-year agreement with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), which also makes it the exclusive "sustainability partner" of the arena. As part of the agreement, all KSE-owned sports teams and venues will employ recyclable aluminum products provided by Ball to reduce plastic waste, with Ball Arena to transition to serving concessions in aluminum packaging by 2022. [14] [15]

Events

The inside of Ball Arena during a Colorado Avalanche game in 2023 Ball Arena Avs.jpg
The inside of Ball Arena during a Colorado Avalanche game in 2023

Hockey

The arena hosted the 2001 NHL All-Star Game, plus two Stanley Cup Finals series in 2001 and 2022. The Avalanche won both times, the first at home and the second in Tampa. In 2007, the west regionals of the NCAA Division I hockey tournament were held at the arena, hosted by the University of Denver. The following year, it hosted the Frozen Four round of the 2008 tournament.

Basketball

Ball Arena hosted the 2005 NBA All-Star Game, and hosted three games of the 2023 NBA Finals. The Nuggets won the 2023 NBA championship at home in Game 5 on June 12 of that year, the first title in franchise history, ending a 47–year drought. The arena has hosted games of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2016, and 2023. In 2012, the NCAA Women's Final Four was played at the arena, hosted by the Mountain West Conference. [16]

From 2004 to 2006, the arena hosted the Mountain West's men's conference tournament.

Mixed martial arts

UFC held its first event at the arena, UFC 135, on September 24, 2011. [17] It also hosted UFC 150 the following August.

Professional wrestling

The arena has hosted various WWE (and in the past, WCW) television broadcasts.

The "Denver Debacle"

The then-named Pepsi Center's interior during the 2008 Frozen Four hockey tournament, with the scoreboard used from 1999 to 2013. Pepsi Center inside.jpg
The then-named Pepsi Center's interior during the 2008 Frozen Four hockey tournament, with the scoreboard used from 1999 to 2013.

On May 18, 2009, WWE cancelled and moved three events it had scheduled in Colorado, including a WWE Raw taping on May 25, 2009 at Pepsi Center, after the Denver Nuggets were scheduled to play Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers on the same date. The affected events were all moved to the Lakers' home arena of Staples Center, while WWE rescheduled an August 7 taping of Raw for Pepsi Center. [18] [19]

In an appearance on KUSA, WWE chairman Vince McMahon accused the "inept management" of team and arena owner Stan Kroenke as having led to the conflict. A KSE spokesperson stated that "despite the propaganda campaign launched by WWE and Chairman Vince McMahon, the KSE team maintained a professional manner throughout this process. We had hoped for, and worked hard toward an amicable resolution - which we verbally had on Tuesday." [20]

The conflict would be referenced during the ensuing May 25 Raw, which opened with a skit between impersonators of Kroenke and Lakers owner Jerry Buss. "Kroenke" boasted about the Nuggets and his indifference to WWE and its fans. Mr. McMahon subsequently entered the ring, jokingly proposed the formation of his own basketball league, the XBA (a reference to his ill-fated XFL), and shoved "Kroenke" down — threatening that people who "push" WWE's fans would get "pushed back". In the main event, a 5-on-5 tag team match was held, where a face team wearing Lakers jerseys (John Cena, Batista, Jerry Lawler, MVP, and Mr. Kennedy) defeated a heel team wearing Nuggets jerseys (Randy Orton, The Miz, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, and Big Show). [21] [22]

Other events

Ball Arena has hosted a wide array of music concerts and other events since opening in 1999. Celine Dion performed a sold-out show at the venue - the first event of any kind at the location, on October 1, 1999. Celine dedicated the show to the Columbine community following the school shooting that occurred less than six months prior. [23] Since then, artists such as Lady Gaga, [24] Katy Perry, [25] Coldplay, [26] Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, [27] Christina Aguilera, [28] Britney Spears, [29] Taylor Swift, [30] Imagine Dragons, [31] Pink, [32] NSYNC, [33] Shania Twain, [34] Cher, [35] KISS, [36] Justin Timberlake, [37] Elton John, [38] and Madonna [39] have held concerts at the arena.

During the week of July 2–8, 2007, the arena hosted the International Convention and Contests of the Barbershop Harmony Society, a men's singing organization.

After a short-lived race at the Denver Civic Center in the early 1990s, the Champ Car World Series ran an annual street circuit race around Pepsi Center, the Grand Prix of Denver. The race was discontinued after the 2006 event.

The majority of the 2008 Democratic National Convention was held at the arena, culminating with the official nomination of then-Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic Party's candidate for the 2008 presidential election. However, the closing night of the convention, including Obama's acceptance speech, was instead held at Invesco Field at Mile High. [40]

Madonna's concert on October 18, 2012 as part of her MDNA Tour (2012) drew controversy and complaints from critics and fans alike. Not only was the show reported to have started three hours late, but it also used fake guns during a violence-inspired performance of her tracks "Revolver" and "Gang Bang". The performance took place less than three months after a mass shooting at a movie theatre in nearby Aurora, Colorado, driving feelings that its inclusion was insensitive and in poor taste. [39]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Avalanche</span> National Hockey League team in Denver, Colorado

The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver. The Avalanche compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Ball Arena, which it shares with the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Denver Nuggets and Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver Nuggets</span> National Basketball Association team in Denver, Colorado

The Denver Nuggets are an American professional basketball team based in Denver. The Nuggets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference. The team was founded as the Denver Larks in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association (ABA) but changed their name to the Rockets before the first season. The Rockets then changed their name again to the Nuggets in 1974. After the name change, the Nuggets played for the final ABA Championship title in 1976, losing to the New York Nets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Target Center</span> Arena in Minnesota, United States

Target Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Minneapolis that opened in 1990. It hosts major family shows, concerts, sporting events, graduations and private events. Target Corporation, founded and headquartered in Minneapolis since 1902, has held the naming rights to the arena since its opening.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colorado Mammoth</span> NLL professional box lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado

The Colorado Mammoth are a professional box lacrosse team playing in the National Lacrosse League. The Mammoth have played at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, since the 2003 season. They are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the owner of the Colorado Avalanche, Denver Nuggets, and the Colorado Rapids of MLS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Footprint Center</span> Multipurpose sports arena in Phoenix, Arizona

Footprint Center is a multi-purpose arena in Phoenix, Arizona. It opened under the name America West Arena on June 6, 1992 at a cost of $89 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaseya Center</span> Arena in Miami, Florida, United States

Kaseya Center is a multi-purpose arena on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. The arena was previously named American Airlines Arena from opening in 1999 until 2021, FTX Arena from 2021 until 2023 following the bankruptcy of FTX, and Miami-Dade Arena during an interim period in 2023. Since April 2023, the naming rights to the arena are owned by Kaseya under a 17-year, $117.4 million agreement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rogers Arena</span> Sports arena in Vancouver, Canada

Rogers Arena is a multi-purpose arena at 800 Griffiths Way in the downtown area of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Opened in 1995, the arena was known as General Motors Place from its opening until July 6, 2010, when General Motors Canada ended its naming rights sponsorship and a new agreement for those rights was reached with Rogers Communications. Rogers Arena was built to replace Pacific Coliseum as Vancouver's primary indoor sports facility and in part due to the National Basketball Association (NBA) 1995 expansion into Canada, when Vancouver and Toronto were given expansion teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McNichols Sports Arena</span> Demolished indoor arena

McNichols Sports Arena was an indoor arena located in Denver, Colorado, United States. Located adjacent to Mile High Stadium and completed in 1975, at a cost of $16 million, it seated 16,061 for hockey games and 17,171 for basketball games.

Ann Walton Kroenke is an American billionaire. Heiress to the Walmart fortune, Ann and her sister, Nancy Walton Laurie, inherited stock from their father, Bud Walton, who was the brother and an early business partner of Walmart founder Sam Walton. She is the owner of the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and Colorado Avalanche of the NHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelob Ultra Arena</span> Event center in Las Vegas, Nevada

The Michelob Ultra Arena, formerly the Mandalay Bay Events Center, is a 12,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. It is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International, and was opened on April 10, 1999. MGM and brewing company Anheuser-Busch entered a naming-rights agreement in 2021, naming the arena after the company's Michelob Ultra beer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXKL-FM</span> Classic hits radio station in Denver

KXKL-FM is a classic hits station serving the Denver metropolitan area. This station is licensed to Denver, Colorado and broadcasts with an ERP of 100 kW and is under ownership of Stan Kroenke's KSE Radio Ventures. Its studios are located on Colorado Boulevard in Glendale, and the transmitter is located on Mt. Morrison.

COMSAT is a global telecommunications company based in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Altitude Sports and Entertainment</span> American regional sports network

Altitude Sports and Entertainment is an American regional sports cable and satellite television channel owned by Stan Kroenke's Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The channel, which serves the Rocky Mountain region of the United States, features a mix of professional, collegiate, and high school sporting events as well as some entertainment-based programming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1stBank Center</span> Event arena in Broomfield, Colorado, USA

The 1stBank Center was a multi-purpose arena located 15 miles northwest of Downtown Denver, in the city of Broomfield. It was located near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport and the Flatiron Crossing Mall. Opening in 2006, the arena naming rights belonged to 1stBank, a local financial institution since 2010. The venue was typically used for mid-sized concerts in the Denver Metro area, seating up to 6,500 patrons. From June 2010 until May 2014, the arena housed the Colorado Music Hall of Fame before it moved to its permanent home at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. For sports, it was the home of the Denver Roller Dolls and former home of the Rocky Mountain Rage and Colorado 14ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Kroenke</span> American billionaire businessman (born 1947)

Enos Stanley Kroenke is an American billionaire businessman. He is the owner of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which is the holding company of Arsenal F.C. of the Premier League and Arsenal W.F.C. of the WSL, the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, Denver Nuggets of the NBA, Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League, the Los Angeles Gladiators of the Overwatch League, and the Los Angeles Guerrillas of the Call of Duty League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kroenke Sports & Entertainment</span> American sports and entertainment company

Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) is an American sports and entertainment holding company based in Denver, Colorado. Originally known as Kroenke Sports Enterprises, it was started in 1999 by businessman Stan Kroenke to be the parent company of his sports holdings. Today, the company has control of over five professional sport franchises, and one soccer club that has two teams: Arsenal F.C. and Arsenal W.F.C., four stadiums, two professional esports franchised teams, four television channels, an internet TV channel, & 19 magazines which operate under the badge Outdoor Sportsman Group, four radio stations which operate under the badge KSE Radio Ventures, LLC, and websites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKSE (AM)</span> Sports radio station in Parker–Denver, Colorado

KKSE is a commercial radio station licensed to Parker, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. The station is owned by Stan Kroenke's KSE Radio Ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kia Center</span> Arena in Orlando, Florida, United States

Kia Center is an indoor arena located in the downtown core of Orlando, Florida. The arena is home to the Orlando Magic of the NBA, the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, and the Orlando Predators of the National Arena League.

This is a list of sports in Denver, Colorado, United States. Denver is home to many professional sports teams who are based out of Denver and surrounding cities in the metropolitan area. It is also one of the twelve American cities to house a team from each of the U.S. cities with teams from four major league sports. All four of its teams play their home games near downtown with three active sports venues which includes Empower Field at Mile High, home of the Denver Broncos; Ball Arena, home of the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets; and Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. There is also a Major League Soccer (MLS) team based in the Denver metro area, but they do not play their home games in the city of Denver and is located in nearby Commerce City.

Josh Kroenke is an American heir to the Walmart family inheritance and to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, his father's sports-media conglomerate. He is involved in running the Denver Nuggets basketball franchise, the Colorado Avalanche ice hockey franchise, the Colorado Rapids, and English soccer club Arsenal. The company co-owns Elitch Gardens Theme Park as well.

References

  1. ↑ "PEPSI CENTER UNVEILS 'INFINITELY RECYCLABLE' CUPS". TheStadiumBusiness. October 17, 2019. Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Coaches and Staff". THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE COLORADO AVALANCHE. October 2017. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Nuggets Staff Directory". NBA. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. October 2014. Archived from the original on October 15, 2017. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Arena Facts". Pepsi Center Official Website. May 2009. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  5. 1 2 McNicholas, Brendan; Bernstein, Danielle (January 2019). "Executive Staff" (PDF). 2017-2018 Colorado Avalanche Media Guide. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment: 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2021– via NHL.
  6. 1 2 Wiley, Matt (February 1, 2017). "Groundbreaking at Pepsi Center was 20 years ago. Here are our top sports moments". The Gazette . Archived from the original on January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  7. ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–" . Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Pepsi Center". Populous. June 2009. Archived from the original on December 21, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Pepsi Center". ICON Venue Group. September 2009. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Pepsi Center". M-E Engineers, Inc. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Pepsi Center". Arenas by Munsey & Suppes. November 2004. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Breckenridge Brewery Mountain House | Pepsi Center". Pepsicenter.com.
  13. ↑ "Pepsi Center gets digital overhaul". Mile High Hockey. July 11, 2013. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  14. ↑ "LA Rams, Denver Nuggets and Arsenal all included in Ball Corporation's KSE partnership". SportsPro Media. October 23, 2020. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  15. ↑ "After 21 years, Pepsi Center to be renamed Ball Arena as part of new partnership". The Denver Post. October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  16. ↑ Meisler, Natalie (November 14, 2008). "Denver gets 2012 women's Final Four". The Denver Post. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  17. ↑ "UFC President Dana White: We Always Planned to Come Back to Denver". MMAWeekly.com. July 24, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
  18. ↑ "WWE event booted from Denver will be at Staples Center". Los Angeles Times. May 21, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  19. ↑ "WWE losing Pepsi Center on May 25". ESPN.com. May 18, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  20. ↑ "WWE cancels 3 Colo. events over 'Denver Debacle'". KUSA.com. May 20, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  21. ↑ "PROWRESTLING.NET 5/25 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Vince McMahon vs. Stan Kroenke impersonator, Ric Flair calls out Randy Orton, 10-man tag with a mystery partner for the babyface team, Maryse vs. Mickie James for the WWE Divas Title". prowrestling.net. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  22. ↑ "WWE, McMahon taunt Kroenke on 'Raw'". ESPN.com. May 26, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  23. ↑ Hughes, Jim (October 2, 1999). "Dion's concert a tribute". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  24. ↑ Post, Matt Miller | The Denver (August 7, 2014). "Review: Lady Gaga Denver Pepsi Center show". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  25. ↑ Harris, Kyle (November 27, 2017). "Katy Perry Roars for Kids and Queers — Mostly in Tune". Westword. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Coldplay's "Head Full of Dreams" explodes over the Pepsi Center". The Denver Post. August 30, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas grow up — and apart — at Pepsi Center". The Denver Post. August 10, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  28. ↑ Hazel, Kori (October 21, 2018). "Review - Mixed Expectations Got The Best Of Christina Aguilera". 303 Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  29. ↑ Patel, Joseph (January 12, 2004). "Kelis Checks Into Britney's Onyx Hotel Tour". MTV. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  30. ↑ Dukes, Billy (June 5, 2013). "Taylor Swift Turns Denver's Pepsi Center 'Red' – Exclusive Pictures". Taste of Country. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  31. ↑ Smith, Angela (October 20, 2017). "Concert review: Imagine Dragons" . Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  32. ↑ "Pink Announces New North American Tour Dates". Variety. May 3, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  33. ↑ Moss, Corey (January 30, 2002). "'NSYNC Bringing Smash Mouth, Ginuwine On Tour". MTV. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Shania Twain announces Colorado concert on new US tour". KUSA.com. November 1, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  35. ↑ Antonoff, Lauren (November 27, 2019). "It Wasn't the Throwback Songs That Dated Cher's Denver Concert". Westword. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  36. ↑ Amon, Joe (September 13, 2019). "PHOTOS: Kiss plays Denver one last time during the band's "final tour ever"". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  37. ↑ Cohn, Allison (January 21, 2014). "Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience World Tour Visits the Pepsi Center". 303 Magazine. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  38. ↑ Mulson, Jennifer (April 11, 2018). "Elton John adds second show in Colorado". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  39. 1 2 "Madonna Angers Denver Audience By Pretending To Shoot Guns Into Crowd - CBS Colorado". www.cbsnews.com. October 19, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Obama accepts Democrat nomination". BBC News. BBC. August 29, 2008. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved August 29, 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.