MVP Arena
| Industry | Indoor arena / Sports and entertainment venue |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Knickerbocker Arena, Pepsi Arena, Times Union Center |
| Founded | January 30, 1990 in Albany, New York, United States |
| Headquarters | Albany , United States |
Area served | Albany metropolitan area and Capital Region |
| Products | Sporting events, concerts, entertainment events |
| Parent | ASM Global (operator) |
| Website | www |
MVP Arena—previously known as Knickerbocker Arena, Pepsi Arena, and Times Union Center—is a versatile indoor venue located in Albany, New York. It can accommodate audiences ranging from 6,000 up to 17,500, with a maximum seating arrangement of 15,500 specifically for sporting occasions.
The arena's architectural design was developed by Crozier Associates, while Clough Harbour & Associates handled the engineering. The construction, carried out by Beltrone/MLB, amounted to a total expense of $69.4 million.
History
The facility officially opened its doors on January 30, 1990, under the name Knickerbocker Arena, featuring a performance by Frank Sinatra.
Its naming rights have transitioned multiple times: initially acquired by Pepsi in 1997—renaming it Pepsi Arena—then transferred to the Times Union newspaper in 2006, becoming Times Union Center. The most recent change occurred in 2021 when MVP Health Services, a healthcare provider, secured the rights, leading to the current title MVP Arena as of January 1, 2022. The Times Union, Albany’s leading newspaper, opted not to renew its agreement.
ASM Global is responsible for managing the arena’s operations.
Significant events hosted include the New York State Democratic Convention in 2000. This convention marked the nomination of then-First Lady Hillary Clinton for the U.S. Senate and was attended by President Bill Clinton.
In 2010, following the relocation of the New Jersey Devils' AHL franchise to Albany as the Albany Devils, several upgrades were implemented at the arena. Enhancements included a new scoreboard, LED ribbon displays, exterior illumination improvements, and renovated home locker rooms.
Since its inception in 1990, the arena has served as home to the Siena Saints men's basketball team competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Additionally, starting in late 2021, it became home to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, with plans to host the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League beginning in 2024.
Sports
The arena continues to be a primary venue for the Siena College men's basketball program.
Former occupants have encompassed teams such as the Albany Firebirds (af2 and AFL), Albany Empire (AFL), Albany Patroons (CBA), Albany Choppers (IHL), Albany River Rats (AHL), Albany Attack (NLL), and New York Kick (NPSL II).
MVP Arena frequently hosts exhibition matches involving prominent leagues including the NBA, WNBA, and NHL.
A notable moment occurred in 1994 when Andre Agassi competed against John McEnroe at this venue shortly after Agassi’s US Open victory.
In addition to sports contests, the arena features entertainment events such as Monster Jam, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, and appearances by the Professional Bull Riders premier tour in years including 2008, 2022, 2023, with future events scheduled for 2024.
Ice hockey
Between 1993 and 2017, MVP Arena was home to the AHL’s Albany River Rats, who captured the Calder Cup during the 1994–95 season.
On April 24, 2008, one of the longest games in AHL history took place here: Ryan Potulny netted a goal in the fifth overtime after nearly six hours of gameplay. River Rats’ goaltender Michael Leighton set a record with an impressive total of 98 saves.
Following the departure of the River Rats in 2010, the arena became host to the Albany Devils AHL team.
It was announced on January 31, 2017, that after completing the 2016–17 season, the Devils would move to Binghamton. This decision ended over two decades—24 years—of AHL hockey at MVP Arena. At that point, their average attendance ranked lowest within the league.
WWE
MVP Arena has been the site of numerous WWE live events and televised broadcasts, including historic moments like the 1992 Royal Rumble, where Ric Flair emerged victorious in the 30-man contest to claim the WWF Championship. The 2000 No Mercy pay-per-view marked Stone Cold Steve Austin's comeback following a neck injury and featured Kurt Angle's inaugural WWF title victory. In 2006, WWE New Year's Revolution saw Edge successfully cash in the first-ever Money in the Bank contract to defeat John Cena for the WWE Championship. On May 20, 2019, MVP Arena witnessed the debut of the WWE 24/7 Championship, with Titus O'Neil becoming its first holder. Additionally, the arena is remembered for a famous 1999 incident during the Attitude Era when Steve Austin drenched Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, and The Rock with beer from a truck.
College sports
From 2003 through 2010, MVP Arena annually hosted the ECAC Hockey championships before the event relocated to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. It has also frequently been chosen as the venue for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball tournament across various years between 1990 and 2019.
In 2003, MVP Arena served as the site for the NCAA basketball East Regional, where Syracuse University progressed on their way to securing their first national championship. The arena also hosted early rounds of the 1995 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament under its former name, Knickerbocker Arena.
The venue has repeatedly hosted NCAA ice hockey East Regional tournaments from 2004 to 2010 and again in 2016, marking its eighth and ninth times holding this competition. Notably, in 2000 it was the location of a quadruple-overtime regional quarterfinal between St. Lawrence University and Boston University—the longest game in tournament history at that point.
MVP Arena has twice been home to the Frozen Four: first in 1992 (as Knickerbocker Arena), when Lake Superior State claimed the national title, and again in 2001 (then known as Pepsi Arena), when Boston College defeated North Dakota.
More recently, MVP Arena hosted the NCAA women's basketball tournament in March 2015 and was the venue for six games of the NCAA Women's Albany Regionals (Sweet 16 and Elite Eight) from March 29 to April 1, 2024. It also accommodated first and second round games of the 2023 Men's Basketball Tournament on March 17 and March 19.
High school sports
Since 2005, MVP Arena has consistently hosted the NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships and maintained hosting rights through at least 2018. According to the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, this event generates more than $1.5 million annually for the Capital Region economy, ranking it as Albany County’s second-largest sporting event as of 2011.
Arena Football
Albany boasts a rich history with Arena Football beginning with the Albany Firebirds in 1990, who captured ArenaBowl XIII in 1999. After relocating in 2000, Albany introduced a new team—the Albany Conquest—in 2002; they qualified for playoffs three times over seven seasons. Renamed as the Firebirds again in 2009, they reached the playoffs but were eliminated in the opening round. In 2018, the Albany Empire joined the Arena Football League and earned top playoff seeds in consecutive years. MVP Arena hosted ArenaBowl XXXII in 2019 where Albany defeated the Philadelphia Soul 45-27 in what was AFL’s final game of its second incarnation. In 2020, a new Albany Empire team was launched by the National Arena League, winning league championships consecutively in both 2021 and 2022.
Music
The arena's very first event featured a concert by Frank Sinatra on January 30, 1990.
In the same year, the Grateful Dead captured their live album Dozin' at the Knick within this venue.
During their 1990 Slip of the Tongue world tour, Whitesnake performed here despite low turnout caused by a severe blizzard.
On August 30, 1991, Gloria Estefan took the stage as part of her “Into The Light World Tour.”
Metallica has returned for several tours at MVP Arena, including dates on February 28, 1992 (Wherever We May Roam Tour), April 6, 1997 (Poor Touring Me Tour), October 9, 2004 (Madly in Anger with the World Tour), and November 12, 2009 (World Magnetic Tour).
The arena also hosted U2 concerts in both 1992 and 2001.
Phish has performed sixteen times here, including benefit shows supporting Anastasio's Divided Sky Foundation as recently as October 2024.
Demi Lovato brought their Demi World Tour to the venue on September 7, 2014, while Ariana Grande launched her Sweetener World Tour on March 18, 2019.
After a gap of 21 years, Céline Dion returned on December 7, 2019, for her Courage World Tour. Her initial appearance at this location was on December 1, 1998, during the Let's Talk About Love World Tour.
Notable sellouts
- The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang Tour – September 17, 2005
- Paul McCartney, Out There Tour – July 5, 2014; tickets sold out within 28 minutes on April 14, 2014.
- Philadelphia Soul vs. Albany Empire, April 14, 2018. Marked the Empire's inaugural home game.