Editing the Venue Van Andel Arena

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Venue Description
Van Andel Arena is a 11,004-seat multi-purpose arena, situated in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. After a $75 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996, and since has attracted over five million patrons. It is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, the top minor league affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. It was also 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 2008. 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. Background The original estimated cost to build the arena was at $75 million. The 12,000-seat arena is managed by SMG Property Management. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors, Jay and Betty Van Andel. It has been hosts to acts such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Phish, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Eagles, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Aerosmith, Ariana Grande, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Roger Waters, The Who, Kiss, Motley Crue, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Avenged Sevenfold, Rush, TLC, Marilyn Manson, Kenny Chesney, OneRepublic, Katy Perry, P!nk, The Harlem Globetrotters, World Wrestling Entertainment, Disney on Ice, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL ArenaBowl XV game, and basketball exhibition games for the Detroit Pistons, Michigan State University Basketball & Grand Valley State University. It is the sixth-largest arena in Michigan, as well as West Michigan's largest. Only The Palace of Auburn Hills, Joe Louis Arena, and Little Caesars Arena, all in Metro Detroit, the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, and the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are larger.