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Van Andel Arena

Coordinates: 42°57′44″N 85°40′19″W / 42.96222°N 85.67194°W / 42.96222; -85.67194
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Van Andel Arena
"The Freezer on Fulton"
Map
Address130 West Fulton Street
LocationGrand Rapids, Michigan
Coordinates42°57′44″N 85°40′19″W / 42.96222°N 85.67194°W / 42.96222; -85.67194
OwnerGrand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority
OperatorSMG
CapacityIce Hockey: 10,834
Arena Football: 10,618
Basketball: 11,500
Concerts: 13,184
Construction
Broke groundFebruary 8, 1995[1]
OpenedOctober 8, 1996
Construction cost$78 million[2]
($152 million in 2023 dollars[3])
ArchitectRossetti Architects[4]
Structural engineerMcClurg & Associates, Inc.[4]
Services engineerURS Greiner, Inc./Henderson[4]
General contractorHunt/Erhardt Joint Venture[4]
Tenants
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) (1996–present)
Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1996–2001)
Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) (1998–2009)
Grand Rapids Gold (NBAGL) (2022–present)
Grand Rapids Rise (PVF) (2024-present)
Website
www.vanandelarena.com

Van Andel Arena is a multi-purpose arena situated in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. The arena attracted over five million patrons in its first 5 years, 1996–2001. It serves as the home of the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League and the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. It will also be the home of the Grand Rapids Rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation starting in January 2024. [5][6] Seating 10,834 for ice hockey and up to 13,184 for concerts, Van Andel Arena is the fourth-largest arena in Michigan, as well as West Michigan's largest; only Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, and Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are larger.

Background

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After a $78 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996. The 12,000 plus seat arena is managed by ASM Global. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors, Jay and Betty Van Andel.[2]

It is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, the top minor league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, with fans giving it the nickname "The Freezer on Fulton".[5] It is also home to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, the minor league affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.[6]

The arena was the home court of the now defunct Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association from 1996 to 2001 and the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League from 1998 to 2009.[7]

It has hosted acts such as Taylor Swift, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Metallica, Phish, Slipknot, Jack White, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Eagles, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Aerosmith, Ariana Grande, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Twenty One Pilots, Roger Waters, The Who, Kiss, Mötley Crüe, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avenged Sevenfold, Rush, TLC, Marilyn Manson, Kenny Chesney, OneRepublic, Kid Rock, Katy Perry, P!nk, TobyMac, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, For King & Country, Newsboys,[8] Morgan Wallen,[9] The Harlem Globetrotters, World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, Disney, Disney on Ice, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL ArenaBowl XV game, professional boxing and basketball exhibition games for the Detroit Pistons, Michigan State University Basketball & Grand Valley State University.[citation needed]

On October 20, 2001, during a show co-headlining with Slipknot, System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian was assaulted, racially profiled and escorted out of the arena by security guards working for DuHadway Kendall. He filed a lawsuit in 2003.[10]

On July 20, 2024, former president Donald Trump held his first rally in the arena after an assassination attempt one week earlier.[11][12][13] He also held the final rally of his 2024 presidential campaign in the arena on November 4 of that year.[14]

Description

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As a concert venue, the Van Andel Arena seats 12,858 for end-stage shows, and 13,184 for center-stage shows. The arena floor measures 85 by 220 feet (26 m × 67 m) and features 9,886 permanent seats, of which 1,800 are club seats and 44 luxury suites, with the 16 luxury suites in the upper bowl seating 20 each, and the lower 24 bowls seating 15, and the others at 18. In addition, there are 1,300 retractable seats.[citation needed]

For Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey games, the arena has a capacity of 10,834.[15]

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The arena and Grand Rapids Griffins are featured briefly in a sketch on the comedy show Nick Swardson's Pretend Time, in which Nick attempts to propose but is instead repeatedly hit in the face with hockey pucks.[16]

The arena was where Motley Crue shot their 2005 Carnival of Sins DVD and was also the setting for System of a Down's 2005 music video for their single, "Hypnotize".[17]

References

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  1. ^ "About Us". Grand Action. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  2. ^ a b McVicar, Brian (5 June 2022). "A 'symbolic' milestone: After 27 years, $57M Van Andel Arena bonds paid off". www.mlive.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ a b c d "1997 AIA Michigan Design Honor Award". American Institute of Architects in Michigan. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Disney on Ice comes to Van Andel Arena". WZZM. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
  6. ^ a b "Grand Rapids Gold to Call Van Andel Arena Home for Upcoming Seasons". www.nba.com. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Van Andel Arena". Grand Rapids Public Museum. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  8. ^ DeBoer, Terry (28 March 2011). "Newsboys add a bit of flash to Christian music Winter Jam Tour in Grand Rapids". mlive. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  9. ^ Patton, Alli (2022-12-01). "Morgan Wallen Announces 2023 World Tour". American Songwriter. Retrieved 2022-12-01.
  10. ^ "System of a Down Bassist Sues Security Team for Humiliating Him in Front of Fans". MTV. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022.
  11. ^ "Doors open ahead of Trump-Vance rally in Grand Rapids". FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI). 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  12. ^ Staff, KATIE SERGENT | WWMT (2024-07-20). "WATCH: Donald Trump, JD Vance set to arrive in West Michigan for Grand Rapids rally". KECI. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  13. ^ "Trump, Vance campaign in Grand Rapids". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  14. ^ Dickson, James (2024-11-04). "Trump to end 2024 campaign yet again in Grand Rapids, Michigan". Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  15. ^ "Friday's Game Sold Out". Grand Rapids Giffins. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2023-05-24.
  16. ^ "Comedy Central Sketch Show Nick Swardson's Pretend Time". www.mlive.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  17. ^ Moss, Corey (28 September 2005). "System Singer Visits Congressman's Office To Push Genocide Bill". www.MTV.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
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