Times Union Center
The Times Union Center ( Knickerbocker Arena 1990-1997; Pepsi Arena 1997-2006) officially broke ground February 5, 1987 and opened it’s doors on January 30, 1990 with a grand opening concert performed by legendary Frank Sinatra. Times Union Center is a 6,000 to 17,500 capacity arena that has been home to tenants such as the Albany Firebirds (football; AFL, now defunct), The Albany Patroons (basketball; CBA), The Albany Choppers (hockey; IHL), Albany Conquest (AFL2), The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball tournament, the Albany Attack (National Lacrosse Team), and the New York Kick (soccer; NPSL), the Albany River Rats (hockey; AHL), the Siena Saints (Siena College’s Men’s Basketball Team), and the Albany Conquest (football; a2). The Times Union Center hosts exhibition games for the NBA, WNBA, and even the NHL. Built by Clough Harbour & Associates the building cost close to $70 million dollars.
It has been the host for sporting events as well, such as the annual Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball tournament, the NCAA basketball East Regional, NCAA Hockey- East Regional tournament, the first rounds of the 1995 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, the Frozen Four twice, and various WWE events including pay-per-views such as the Royal Rumble, No Mercy and New Year’s Revolution, and live television events such as Monday Night Raw.
The building designed and at a cost of $68.6 million, was opened on January 30, 1990 as the Knickerbocker Arena with a performance by Frank Sinatra. The naming rights of the arena were sold to Pepsi in 1997, and it was known as Pepsi Arena from 1998-2006. In May 2006 the naming rights were sold to the Times Union, a regional newspaper, and the name of the arena became the Times Union Center on January 1, 2007. The building is managed by SMG.
A few artists who have performed:
Eminem
Snoop Dogg
Nas
Busta Rhymes
Celine Dion
Jay-Z
DMX
The Grateful Dead
Bruce Springstein
Chris Brown
Billy Joel
Shania Twain
Ashanti
Phish
Britney Spears
New Found Glory