Mohegan Sun Arena
{{Short description|Multi-purpose arena in Connecticut, United States}}
{{About|the arena inside Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut|the arena in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania|Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = Mohegan Sun Arena
| logo_image = File:Mohegan Sun Arena logo.svg
| image = Mohegan Sun Arena interior.jpg
| caption = Mohegan Sun Arena in 2023
| pushpin_map = Connecticut#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Connecticut##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = Mohegan Sun Arena
| address = 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd
| location = Uncasville, Connecticut
| coordinates = {{coord|41|29|28|N|72|5|23|W|type:landmark|display=it}}
| website = https://mohegansun.com
| broke_ground =
| opened = October 2001
| operator = Mohegan Sun
| construction_cost =
| architect =
| tenants = Mohegan Wolves (AF2) (2002–2003)
Connecticut Sun (WNBA) (2003–present)
New England Black Wolves (NLL) (2015–2021)
| seating_capacity = Basketball: 9,323
Concerts: 10,000
Lacrosse: 7,074{{cite web |url=http://www.nll.com/wp-content/uploads/2018_19_NLL_Media_Guide-1.pdf |title=2018-19 NLL Media Guide, page 52, New England Black Wolves Team Information |publisher=National Lacrosse League |access-date=March 13, 2019}}
}}
The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in the Uncasville area of Montville, Connecticut located inside the Mohegan Sun casino resort. The arena facility features {{convert|30000|sqft|m2}} of configurable exhibition space and a {{convert|400|ft|m|adj=on}} clear span. It was built by the Perini Building Company, and opened in October 2001.{{cite web|title=Perini Building Company|url=http://www.perini.com|access-date=20 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050202114604/http://perini.com/|archive-date=2 February 2005}} The arena is home to the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
History
The multi-purpose facility has hosted a wide variety of events; including the American Kennel Club, WWE,{{cite web|website=WWE|url=https://www.wwe.com/|access-date=9 September 2006}} concerts from major classical, country, jazz, metal, rap, rock, and pop acts, as well as sporting events such as PBR events, Bellator, NCAA games, PBA tournaments, early UFC bouts, and the World's Strongest Man Super Series Competition. The largest event on record to have been held at the arena was the inaugural Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in the Northeast in 2016, for which 90,000 tickets were sold to the multi-day event.{{cite news|last1=Kristafer|first1=Ryan|title=Cruisin' Connecticut – Barrett-Jackson Auction at Mohegan Sun|url=http://wtnh.com/2017/06/21/cruisin-connecticut-barrett-jackson-auction-at-mohegan-sun/|access-date=28 June 2017|work=wtnh.com|publisher=wtnh.com|date=21 June 2017}}
Major network and cable television broadcasting companies, including CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX, ESPN, and CNN have all produced events through this arena.
=Arena football=
The arena originally served as home of the Mohegan Wolves arena football team until it was sold and moved to Manchester, New Hampshire in 2004. On July 19, 2001, Uncasville was awarded an AF2 expansion team.{{cite web |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/af2-enters-se-connecticut/n-2708353 |title=af2 enters SE Connecticut |date=July 19, 2001 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=July 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171208174900/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/af2-enters-se-connecticut/n-2708353|archive-date=December 8, 2017|url-status=live}} On December 12, 2001, Mohegan Sun and Dr. Eric Margenau, President/Chief Executive Officer of United Sports Ventures, announced that the new expansion AF2 franchise would be named the Mohegan Wolves. Margenau introduced Gary Porter, as the head coach for the team that would first take the field April 5, 2002 at the Mohegan Sun Arena against the Albany Conquest. Gary Porter, previously led the expansion Peoria Pirates to a 7–9 record in 2001.
The team name was selected through a "Name the Team" contest sponsored by WCTY, Mohegan Sun and X-Tra Mart. A Jewett City resident, came up with the winning name. The winner won four season tickets for the 2002 Mohegan Wolves season, dinner for four on the night of the team's first home game, and a team merchandise package.
=Basketball=
On January 28, 2003, the arena was announced as the official home court for the Connecticut Sun. Prior to the fall of 2002, the NBA operating model precluded any WNBA team without an NBA "brother" counterpart. By the time the Connecticut Sun moved in, Val Ackerman was the WNBA president and Mark L. Brown was the chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. Though sports betting was legalized in Connecticut on October 1, 2021, the casino has suspended WNBA betting from its sportsbook operation.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-connecticut-sun-ned-lamont-basketball-98216a601268eac5ff4203b68bfd47db|title=Mohegan Sun suspends betting on WNBA at new sportsbook|last=Eaton-Robb|first=Pat|date=4 October 2021|work=Associated Press News|access-date=14 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004193305/https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-connecticut-sun-ned-lamont-basketball-98216a601268eac5ff4203b68bfd47db|archive-date=October 4, 2021|url-status=live}}
On September 8, 2005, as a companion to the arena, the Mohegan Sun casino opened a Connecticut Sun merchandise store called "Winter Essentials." It was the first store in the United States that sold professional basketball goods on casino ground. However, the store was closed when the casino underwent renovations in 2008. Connecticut Sun merchandise would be available in the Arena during games between 2009 and 2019.
The Connecticut Sun were not able to play at the arena in the 2020 season, as the entire season was relocated to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the conclusion of the 2020 WNBA season, the arena began holding its first events since the pandemic declaration in November 2020, when it hosted a series of college basketball games where fans were not permitted. The event was called Bubbleville.
=Lacrosse=
On April 21, 2002, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the 2002 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game. The North Division (Calgary Roughnecks, Montreal Express, Ottawa Rebel, Rochester Knighthawks, Toronto Rock, Vancouver Ravens) defeated the South (Albany Attack, Buffalo Bandits, Columbus Landsharks, New Jersey Storm, New York Saints, Philadelphia Wings, Washington Power) by a score of 14–10. Steve Toll, of the Toronto Rock, was named the MVP of the event.
On August 5, 2014, the National Lacrosse League announced that the Philadelphia Wings would move to the Mohegan Sun Arena and be re-branded as the New England Black Wolves for the 2015 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.nll.com/about/history/|title = Our History}} In their home opener, the Black Wolves defeated the Buffalo Bandits 12–8 in front of 5,768.
The team relocated in 2021 and now play as the Albany FireWolves.[https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Times-Union-Center-gets-National-Lacrosse-League-15968368.php Times Union Center gets National Lacrosse League franchise], Mark Singelais, Albany Times-Union, February 22nd, 2021
== Attendance history ==
=Mixed martial arts=
On January 11, 2002, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted its first MMA event, UFC 35, headlined by Jens Pulver vs B.J. Penn. The UFC also held UFC 45 at the arena, an event headlined by Matt Hughes vs. Frank Trigg.
Bellator MMA has consistently put on events at Mohegan Sun Arena, since 2009 that are shown below.
2009: Bellator 2, Bellator 11
2010: Bellator 15
2011: Bellator 39, Bellator 48
2012: Bellator 63
2013: Bellator 98
2014: Bellator 110, Bellator 123
2015: Bellator 134, Bellator 140, Bellator 144
2016: Bellator 153, Bellator 163
2017: Bellator 178, Bellator 185
2018: Bellator 194, Bellator 207
2019: Bellator 215, Bellator 216
2021: Bellator 262, Bellator 289
= Professional wrestling =
The arena has hosted various WWE and All Elite Wrestling events, including frequently hosted episodes of Raw, SmackDown, and Rampage.
= Bare-knuckle boxing =
File:Mohegan_Sun_Arena_during_a_BKFC_event_2025.jpg
The arena has hosted 2 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship events. The first being BKFC 61 Connecticut: Rivera vs. Straus and most recently BKFC on DAZN Mohegan Sun: Lane vs. VanCamp. They are currently scheduled to host BKFC Fight Night Mohegan Sun: Porter vs. Cleckler
Seating
As of 2006, the seating can be configured into 5 common sports configurations: basketball, boxing, bowling, rodeo, table tennis, lacrosse. It also can be reconfigured to fit regular, fullhouse, centerstage, and halfhouse concerts. The arena was awarded the 2008 and 2010 Country Music Award for "Casino of the Year". It was also ranked the 4th best venue by Billboard Magazine.
Notable events
File:MoheganSunArenaconcertinterior.jpg
- WNBA All-Star Game – 2005,{{cite news| url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/womenshoopsblog/2010896854_mohegan_sun_arena_to_host_anot.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=Mohegan Sun Arena to host another WNBA All-Star game | first=Jayda | last=Evans | date=January 26, 2010}} 2009, 2010,{{cite web | url=http://articles.courant.com/2010-01-27/sports/hc-usabasketball0127.artjan27_1_wnba-all-star-usa-basketball-chris-sienko | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305162854/http://articles.courant.com/2010-01-27/sports/hc-usabasketball0127.artjan27_1_wnba-all-star-usa-basketball-chris-sienko | archive-date=5 March 2012 | title=Mohegan Sun Arena to Host WNBA All-Star Game - Hartford Courant }} 2013, 2015
- National Lacrosse League 2002 All-Star Game.
- American Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament (2014–2020)
- Big East women's basketball tournament (2021 and beyond)
- Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame 2020 enshrinement ceremony – May 15, 2021
=NBA games=
| class="wikitable"
! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Date ! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Home ! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Score ! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Away ! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Game Type ! style="{{NBA color cell|Boston Celtics}}"|Attendance | |||||
| style="{{NBA color cell2|Boston Celtics}}"|October 11, 2014 | Boston Celtics | align=center|80–92 | New York Knicks | Preseason | align=center|9,252 |
| style="{{NBA color cell2|Boston Celtics}}"|October 8, 2016 | Boston Celtics | align=center|104–86 | Charlotte Hornets | Preseason | align=center|8,052 |
=Strength Athletics Grand Prix=
{{update section|date=August 2019}}
Since 2005, the arena has hosted one of the premier international strongman Grand Prix events.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- https://web.archive.org/web/20080731120733/http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/arena-360view-popup.html
- http://www.wnba.com/sun/news/winteressentials.html Mohegan Sun Winter Essentials Store
{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
| title = Home of the
Mohegan Wolves
| years = 2002–2003
| before = first arena
| after = Verizon Wireless Arena
}}
{{succession box
| title = Home of the
Connecticut Sun
| years = 2003 – present
| before = TD Waterhouse Centre
| after = current
}}
{{succession box
| title = Host of the
WNBA All-Star Game
| years = 2005
| before = Radio City Music Hall
| after = Madison Square Garden
}}
{{succession box
| title = Host of the
WNBA All-Star Game
| years = 2009
| before = Verizon Center
| after = unknown
}}
{{succession box
| title = Ultimate Fighting Championship venue
| years = UFC 35
| before= MGM Grand Garden Arena
| after = MGM Grand Garden Arena
}}
{{end}}
{{Connecticut Sun}}
{{New England Black Wolves}}
{{WNBA Arenas}}
{{Live Nation}}
{{Music venues of Connecticut}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Basketball venues in Connecticut
Category:Music venues completed in 2001
Category:Sports venues completed in 2001
Category:Montville, Connecticut
Category:Indoor lacrosse venues in the United States
Category:Lacrosse venues in Connecticut
Category:New England Black Wolves
Category:Sports venues in New London County, Connecticut
Category:Women's National Basketball Association venues