Erie Insurance Arena

Erie Insurance Arena
Company type	Public facility
Industry	Entertainment, sports venue
Founded	1983
Headquarters	Erie, United States
Area served	Erie, Pennsylvania
Owner	Erie County Convention Center Authority
Website	www.erieinsurancearena.com

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Erie Insurance Arena, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 28 November 2025

Erie Insurance Arena, previously known as the Erie Civic Center and Louis J. Tullio Arena, is a versatile indoor facility situated in the heart of downtown Erie, Pennsylvania. It currently serves as the home rink for the Erie Otters competing in the Ontario Hockey League, and was once the base for the Erie BayHawks of the NBA G League. Established in 1983 as an element of the Erie Civic Center Complex Plaza—which also comprises the Warner Theatre and UPMC Park—this arena is operated by the Erie County Convention Center Authority. In May 2012, the naming rights were secured by the Erie Insurance Group.

History

Constructed at a cost of $9.3 million and inaugurated with a Beach Boys performance in 1983, Erie Insurance Arena has hosted numerous prominent artists including Elton John, Rod Stewart, Cher, KISS, Barry Manilow, Alan Jackson, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Def Leppard, and Alice Cooper. The venue has also been the site for events such as Blippi shows, Disney on Ice, WCW and WWE wrestling events, TNA Wrestling, Harlem Globetrotters exhibitions, and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performances.

In May 2012, Erie Insurance Group entered into a 10-year naming rights contract valued at $3 million for what was then Louis J. Tullio Arena. This agreement coincided with a $42 million renovation finalized in September 2013. The redesign was executed by Friday/Sink Combs Dethlefs Joint Venture Architects and constructed by Turner Construction Company, increasing the arena’s footprint from 152,000 to 218,000 square feet. Seating capacity expanded to 6,833 for hockey games, 6,754 for basketball contests, and approximately 9,000 for concerts. Upgrades included additional seating areas and concourses, larger lobby spaces, more box office windows, luxury suites, office spaces for administration, mechanical rooms, training facilities, modernized locker rooms, and a club level sponsored by the Erie Times-News. Funding combined $32 million contributed by former Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell with $10 million from Erie County.

The arena has been a popular venue for significant high school and collegiate basketball matchups featuring local rivals Cathedral Preparatory School versus McDowell and Gannon University against Mercyhurst University—both events reached full capacity with audiences of 5,500.

In September 2014, improvements worth $1.4 million introduced a closed-circuit video system along with high-definition video boards installed at both the east and west ends of the arena. Additionally, a new Daktronics-manufactured high-definition scoreboard was placed at center ice to replace previous scoreboards dating back to 2006 and the original from 1983.

Television

The World Wrestling Federation recorded episodes of WWF Superstars and WWF Wrestling Challenge at this location from 1991 through 1995.
Between 1997 and 2000, World Championship Wrestling produced WCW Thunder, WCW Worldwide, and WCW Saturday Night broadcasts here.

2011 NCAA Women's Frozen Four

In collaboration with Mercyhurst College, Louis J. Tullio Arena hosted the 2011 NCAA National Collegiate Women's Ice Hockey Tournament where the Wisconsin Badgers triumphed over the Boston University Terriers with a final score of 4–1.

2014 NCAA Women's Division II National Elite Eight

Erie Insurance Arena, in partnership with Gannon University, served as the host for the NCAA Division II women's basketball championship, which concluded with the Bentley Falcons defeating the West Texas A&M Buffaloes 73–65.

Arena offerings

At Erie Insurance Arena, visitors can enjoy typical concession items such as pizza and corn dogs, alongside unique local favorites like Greek hot dogs, Greek nachos, and pepperoni balls. For those seated on the floor, an exclusive menu features upscale options including shrimp cocktail, spinach artichoke dip, steak burgers on pretzel buns, chicken bacon sandwiches, cheesesteaks, and assorted vegetable platters. Additionally, the arena offers a variety of beverages including wine, beer, and specialty mixed drinks.

External links