Van Andel Arena
{{Short description|Indoor arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
|stadium_name = Van Andel Arena
|nickname = "The Freezer on Fulton"
|image = Van Andel Arena 2021.jpg
|logo_image = Van Andel Arena.jpg
|logo_size = 150px
|fullname =
|address = 130 West Fulton Street
|location = Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
|coordinates = {{Coord|42|57|44|N|85|40|19|W|region:US_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|broke_ground = February 8, 1995{{cite web |title = About Us |url = http://www.grandaction.org/draft.htm |work = Grand Action |access-date = June 10, 2014 }}
|built =
|opened = October 8, 1996
|closed =
|demolished =
|owner = Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority
|operator = SMG
|construction_cost = $78 million{{cite news |last = McVicar |first = Brian |date = June 5, 2022 |title = A 'symbolic' milestone: After 27 years, $57M Van Andel Arena bonds paid off |url = https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2022/06/a-symbolic-milestone-after-27-years-57m-van-andel-arena-bonds-paid-off.html |access-date = June 22, 2022 |website = MLive }}
(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|78000000|1996}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
|architect = Rossetti Architects{{cite web |title = 1997 AIA Michigan Design Honor Award |url = http://www.aiami.com/aiami_design_awards/design_award_1997/detail_pages/1997_design_awards_van_andel_arena.htm |publisher = American Institute of Architects in Michigan |access-date = September 22, 2011 }}
|structural engineer = McClurg & Associates, Inc.
|services engineer = URS Greiner, Inc./Henderson
|general_contractor = Hunt/Erhardt Joint Venture
|former_names =
|tenants = Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) (1996–present)
Grand Rapids Hoops (CBA) (1996–2001)
Grand Rapids Rampage (AFL) (1998–2009)
{{nowrap|Grand Rapids Gold (NBAGL) (2022–present)}}
Grand Rapids Rise (PVF) (2024-present)
|seating_capacity = Ice Hockey: 10,834
Arena Football: 10,618
Basketball: 11,500
Concerts: 13,184
|website = {{URL|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 is also, as of January 2024, the home of the Grand Rapids Rise of the Pro Volleyball Federation.{{Cite web |date = June 2, 2022 |title = Grand Rapids Gold to Call Van Andel Arena Home for Upcoming Seasons |url = https://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/news/van-andel/ |access-date = June 22, 2022 |publisher = National Basketball Association }} 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
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.
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".{{Cite web |title = Disney on Ice comes to Van Andel Arena |url = https://www.wzzm13.com/video/features/disney-on-ice-comes-to-van-andel-arena/69-1820410 |access-date = August 26, 2020 |publisher = WZZM |language = en-US }} It is also home to the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, the minor league affiliate of the Denver Nuggets.
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.{{Cite web |date = June 22, 2022 |title = Van Andel Arena |url = https://grpmcollections.org/Detail/entities/32865 |access-date = June 22, 2022 |publisher = Grand Rapids Public Museum }}
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, Barenaked Ladies, 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,{{cite web |last1 = DeBoer |first1 = Terry |title = Newsboys add a bit of flash to Christian music Winter Jam Tour in Grand Rapids |url = https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |website = MLive |access-date = March 4, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230304034524/https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |archive-date = March 4, 2023 |language = en |date = March 28, 2011 |url-status = live }} Morgan Wallen,{{Cite web |last = Patton |first = Alli |date = December 1, 2022 |title = Morgan Wallen Announces 2023 World Tour |url = https://americansongwriter.com/morgan-wallen-announces-2023-world-tour/ |access-date = December 1, 2022 |website = American Songwriter |language = en-US }} The Harlem Globetrotters, World Wrestling Entertainment, All Elite Wrestling, Disney, Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, 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|date=June 2022}} It also hosted the 2001 Big Ten women's basketball tournament.
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.{{cite web |url = https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220825180330/https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 25, 2022 |title = System of a Down Bassist Sues Security Team for Humiliating Him in Front of Fans |publisher = MTV }}
On July 20, 2024, former president Donald Trump held his first rally in the arena after an assassination attempt one week earlier.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-20 |title=Doors open ahead of Trump-Vance rally in Grand Rapids |url=https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kent/crowds-gather-ahead-of-trump-rally-in-grand-rapids-today |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=FOX 17 West Michigan News (WXMI) |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=KATIE SERGENT {{!}} WWMT |date=2024-07-20 |title=WATCH: Donald Trump, JD Vance set to arrive in West Michigan for Grand Rapids rally |url=https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/donald-trump-jd-vance-grand-rapids-michigan-rally-van-andel-arena-visit-politics-government-heightened-security-secret-service-police-protection-community-election-presidential-west-state |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=KECI |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Trump, Vance campaign in Grand Rapids |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/picture-gallery/media/photo/2024/07/20/trump-vance-campaign-in-grand-rapids/74484508007/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=The Detroit News |language=en-US}} He also held the final rally of his 2024 presidential campaign in the arena on November 4 of that year. He similarly ended both his 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns at Van Andel as well.{{Cite web |last=Dickson |first=James |date=2024-11-04 |title=Trump to end 2024 campaign yet again in Grand Rapids, Michigan |url=https://nypost.com/2024/11/04/us-news/third-times-a-charm-trump-to-end-campaign-yet-again-in-grand-rapids-mich/ |access-date=2024-11-05 |language=en-US}}
Description
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 {{convert|85|x|220|ft}} 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|date=June 2022}}
For Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey games, the arena has a capacity of 10,834.{{Cite web |url = https://griffinshockey.com/news/fridays-game-sold-out-1 |title = Friday's Game Sold Out |publisher = Grand Rapids Griffins |language = en |date = April 5, 2007 |access-date = May 24, 2023 }}
In popular culture
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.{{Cite web |url = https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2010/10/comedy_central_sketch_show_fea.html |title = Comedy Central Sketch Show Nick Swardson's Pretend Time |website = MLive |language = en |access-date = March 11, 2021 }}
The arena was where Mötley Crüe 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".{{Cite web |last = Moss |first = Corey |date = September 28, 2005 |title = System Singer Visits Congressman's Office To Push Genocide Bill |url = https://www.mtv.com/news/1510609/system-singer-visits-congressmans-office-to-push-genocide-bill/ |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210227131110/http://www.mtv.com/news/1510609/system-singer-visits-congressmans-office-to-push-genocide-bill/ |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 27, 2021 |access-date = June 22, 2022 |publisher = MTV }}
References
{{Reflist|2}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.vanandelarena.com/ Official website]
- [http://griffinshockey.com/home/ Grand Rapids Griffins]
- [http://grandrapids.gleague.nba.com/ Grand Rapids Gold]
{{Grand Rapids, Michigan}}
{{Grand Rapids Griffins}}
{{Grand Rapids Rampage}}
{{AHL Arenas}}
{{NBA G League arenas}}
{{PVF Arenas}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Sports venues completed in 1996
Category:Indoor arenas in Michigan
Category:Sports venues in Michigan
Category:Grand Rapids Griffins
Category:Sports in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Category:Buildings and structures in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Category:Economy of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Category:Ice hockey venues in Michigan
Category:Basketball venues in Michigan
Category:College ice hockey venues in the United States