Editing Ball Arena (section)

==Events==
=== Hockey ===
The arena hosted the [[2001 NHL All-Star Game]], plus two [[Stanley Cup Finals]] series in [[2001 Stanley Cup Finals|2001]] and [[2022 Stanley Cup Finals|2022]]. The Avalanche won both times, the first at home.

[[File:Ball_Arena_Avs.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The inside of Ball Arena during a Colorado Avalanche game in 2023]]
In 2007, the west regionals of the [[2007 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|NCAA Division I hockey tournament]] were held at the arena, hosted by the [[University of Denver]]. The following year, it hosted the Frozen Four round of the [[2008 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|2008 tournament]]. On January 12, 2025, the first [[Professional Women's Hockey League]] (PWHL) game in Denver was played at the arena between the [[Montreal Victoire]] and the [[Minnesota Frost]]; 14,018 fans attended, setting a new record for attendance of women's hockey in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thepwhl.com/en/news/2024/november/18/pwhl-heads-to-new-cities-in-takeover-tour-of-neutral-site-games | title=PWHL Heads to New Cities in Takeover Tour of Neutral-Site Games | date=November 18, 2024 }}</ref>

=== Basketball ===
Ball Arena hosted the [[2005 NBA All-Star Game]], and hosted three games of the [[2023 NBA Finals]]. The Nuggets won the 2023 NBA championship at home in Game 5 on June 12 of that year, the first title in franchise history, ending a 47–year drought. The arena has hosted games of the [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2016, and 2023. In 2012, the [[2012 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|NCAA Women's Final Four]] was played at the arena, hosted by the [[Mountain West Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Meisler|first=Natalie|date=2008-11-14|title=Denver gets 2012 women's Final Four|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2008/11/14/denver-gets-2012-womens-final-four-2/|access-date=2020-10-22|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US}}</ref>

From 2004 to 2006, the arena hosted the [[Mountain West Conference men's basketball tournament|Mountain West's men's conference tournament]].

=== Mixed martial arts ===
[[UFC]] held its first event at the arena, ''[[UFC 135|UFC 135: Jones vs. Rampage]]'', on September 24, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 24, 2011|title=UFC President Dana White: We Always Planned to Come Back to Denver|url=http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-president-dana-white-we-always-planned-to-come-back-to-denver|access-date=2011-07-24|publisher=MMAWeekly.com}}</ref> It also hosted ''[[UFC 150|UFC 150: Henderson vs. Edgar II]]'' the following August.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 11, 2012|title=UFC 150 play by play and live results|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2012/08/ufc-150-play-by-play-and-live-results|access-date=2024-07-14|publisher=[[MMAjunkie.com]]}}</ref> The UFC returned to the arena in 2017 for ''[[UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=January 28, 2017|title=UFC on FOX 23 results: Valentina Shevchenko taps Julianna Pena for first submission win in nearly 11 years|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2017/01/ufc-on-fox-23-results-valentina-shevchenko-taps-julianna-pena-for-first-submission-win-in-nearly-11-years-1|access-date=2024-07-14|publisher=MMAjunkie.com}}</ref> The promotion returned to the arena the following year in November for ''[[UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez]]''.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 11, 2018|title=UFC President Dana White: Yair Rodriguez's elbow KO the 'craziest finish ever'|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/11/ufc-president-dana-white-yair-rodriguez-elbow-ko-craziest-finish-ever-chan-sung-jung|access-date=2024-07-14|publisher=MMAjunkie.com}}</ref> The arena most recently held ''[[UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez]]'' and ''[[ONE Championship]]'s'' ''[[ONE 168]]'' in  July & September 2024 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 14, 2024|title=UFC on ESPN 59 results: Rose Namajunas hands Tracy Cortez first UFC loss, calls for title shot|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/07/ufc-on-espn-59-rose-namajunas-def-tracy-cortez-denver-main-event|access-date=2024-07-14|publisher=MMAjunkie.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 6, 2024|title=Demetrious Johnson announces retirement at ONE 168|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/6/24237738/demetrious-johnson-announces-retirement-at-one-168|access-date=2025-03-04|publisher=[[MMA Fighting]]}}</ref>

=== Professional wrestling ===
The arena has hosted various [[WWE]] (and in the past, [[WCW]]) television broadcasts.

==== The "Denver Debacle" ====
[[File:Pepsi Center inside.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The then-named Pepsi Center's interior during the 2008 Frozen Four hockey tournament, with the scoreboard used from 1999 to 2013.]]

On May 18, 2009, WWE cancelled and moved three events it had scheduled in Colorado, including a ''[[WWE Raw]]'' taping on May 25, 2009, at Pepsi Center, after the Denver Nuggets were scheduled to play Game 4 of the [[2009 NBA Playoffs|NBA Western Conference finals]] against the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] on the same date. The affected events were all moved to the Lakers' home arena of [[Staples Center]], while WWE rescheduled an August 7 taping of ''Raw'' for Pepsi Center.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-05-21|title=WWE event booted from Denver will be at Staples Center|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-21-sp-wwe-lakers21-story.html|access-date=2020-10-22|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-05-18|title=WWE losing Pepsi Center on May 25|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4176082|access-date=2020-10-22|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref>

In an appearance on [[KUSA (TV)|KUSA]], WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] accused the "inept management" of team and arena owner [[Stan Kroenke]] as having led to the conflict. A KSE spokesperson stated that "despite the propaganda campaign launched by WWE and Chairman Vince McMahon, the KSE team maintained a professional manner throughout this process. We had hoped for, and worked hard toward an amicable resolution - which we verbally had on Tuesday."<ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE cancels 3 Colo. events over 'Denver Debacle'|url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nba/denver-nuggets/wwe-cancels-3-colo-events-over-denver-debacle/73-339034780|access-date=2020-10-22|website=KUSA.com|date=May 20, 2009 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The conflict would be referenced during the ensuing May 25 ''Raw'', which opened with a skit between impersonators of Kroenke and Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]]. "Kroenke" boasted about the Nuggets and his indifference to WWE and its fans. Mr. McMahon subsequently entered the ring, jokingly proposed the formation of his own basketball league, the XBA (a reference to his ill-fated [[XFL (2001)|XFL]]), and shoved "Kroenke" down — threatening that people who "push" WWE's fans would get "pushed back". In the main event, a 5-on-5 tag team match was held, where a [[face (professional wrestling)|face]] team wearing Lakers jerseys ([[John Cena]], [[Dave Bautista|Batista]], [[Jerry Lawler]], [[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]], and [[Mr. Kennedy]]) defeated a [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] team wearing Nuggets jerseys ([[Randy Orton]], [[The Miz]], [[Cody Rhodes]], [[Ted DiBiase Jr.|Ted DiBiase]], and [[Big Show]]).<ref>{{Cite web|title=PROWRESTLING.NET 5/25 Powell's WWE Raw Live Coverage: Vince McMahon vs. Stan Kroenke impersonator, Ric Flair calls out Randy Orton, 10-man tag with a mystery partner for the babyface team, Maryse vs. Mickie James for the WWE Divas Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/5_25_Powell_s_WWE_Raw_Live_Coverage_Vince_McMahon_vs_Stan_Kroenke_impersonator_Ric_Flair_calls_out_Randy_Orton_10-man_tag_with_a_mystery_partner_for_the_babyface_team_Maryse_vs_Mickie_James_for_the_WWE_Divas_Title_printer.shtml|access-date=2020-10-22|website=prowrestling.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-05-26|title=WWE, McMahon taunt Kroenke on 'Raw'|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/playoffs/2009/news/story?id=4205236|access-date=2020-10-22|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref>

===Other events===
Ball Arena has hosted a wide array of [[Concert|music concerts]] and other events since opening in 1999. [[Celine Dion]] performed a sold-out show at the venue - the first event of any kind at the location, on October 1, 1999. Dion dedicated the show to the [[Columbine, Colorado|Columbine]] community following the [[Columbine High School massacre|school shooting that occurred less than six months prior]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Jim |date=October 2, 1999 |title=Dion's concert a tribute |url=https://www.denverpost.com/news/?_gl=1*t539gl*_ga*MTQ5MjM5NDgwMy4xNzA5Mjg2Nzgx*_ga_9X3Z9L7GQJ*MTcwOTI4Njc4MC4xLjEuMTcwOTI4ODcxNS4zMS4wLjExMjI0NDAxNDc. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://extras.denverpost.com/news/shot1002.htm |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |work=The Denver Post}}</ref> Since then, artists such as [[Lady Gaga]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post |first=Matt Miller {{!}} The Denver |date=2014-08-07 |title=Review: Lady Gaga Denver Pepsi Center show |url=https://www.heyreverb.com/?p=93077/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Katy Perry]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Kyle |date=November 27, 2017 |title=Katy Perry Roars for Kids and Queers — Mostly in Tune |url=https://www.westword.com/music/katy-perry-makes-magic-for-kids-and-queers-at-denver-pepsi-center-concert-9731639 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Westword |language=en}}</ref> [[Coldplay]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-30 |title=Coldplay's "Head Full of Dreams" explodes over the Pepsi Center |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/30/coldplays-head-full-of-dreams-explodes-over-the-pepsi-center/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Demi Lovato]], [[Nick Jonas]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-10 |title=Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas grow up — and apart — at Pepsi Center |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2016/08/10/demi-lovato-and-nick-jonas-grow-up-and-apart-at-pepsi-center/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Christina Aguilera]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hazel |first=Kori |date=2018-10-21 |title=Review - Mixed Expectations Got The Best Of Christina Aguilera |url=https://303magazine.com/2018/10/review-christina-aguilera-denver/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=303 Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Britney Spears]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patel |first=Joseph |date=January 12, 2004 |title=Kelis Checks Into Britney's Onyx Hotel Tour |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/9gmuuk/kelis-checks-into-britneys-onyx-hotel-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416064100/https://www.mtv.com/news/9gmuuk/kelis-checks-into-britneys-onyx-hotel-tour |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> [[Taylor Swift]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dukes |first=Billy |date=June 5, 2013 |title=Taylor Swift Turns Denver's Pepsi Center 'Red' – Exclusive Pictures |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/taylor-swift-denver-red-tour-pictures/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Taste of Country |language=en}}</ref> [[Imagine Dragons]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Angela |date=October 20, 2017 |title=Concert review: Imagine Dragons |url=https://www.cuindependent.com/2017/10/19/imagine-dragons-concert-review/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Pink (singer)|Pink]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-03 |title=Pink Announces New North American Tour Dates |url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/pink-announces-new-north-american-tour-dates-1202796738/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> [[NSYNC]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=January 30, 2002 |title='NSYNC Bringing Smash Mouth, Ginuwine On Tour |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/p6oh2s/nsync-bringing-smash-mouth-ginuwine-on-tour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302031031/https://www.mtv.com/news/p6oh2s/nsync-bringing-smash-mouth-ginuwine-on-tour |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref> [[Shania Twain]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-01 |title=Shania Twain announces Colorado concert on new US tour |url=https://www.9news.com/article/entertainment/music/colorado-music/shania-twain-new-album-tour/73-94986581-35f0-4cf8-bcc0-cdd8ac81ccaf |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Cher]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antonoff |first=Lauren |date=November 27, 2019 |title=It Wasn't the Throwback Songs That Dated Cher's Denver Concert |url=https://www.westword.com/music/cher-brought-archaic-gender-norms-to-denver-pepsi-center-concert-review-11556356 |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=Westword |language=en}}</ref> [[Kiss (band)|KISS]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amon |first=Joe |date=September 13, 2019 |title=PHOTOS: Kiss plays Denver one last time during the band's "final tour ever" |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/13/kiss-denver-pepsi-center-photos/ |access-date=March 1, 2024 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Justin Timberlake]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Allison |date=2014-01-21 |title=Justin Timberlake: The 20/20 Experience World Tour Visits the Pepsi Center |url=https://303magazine.com/2014/01/justin-timberlake/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=303 Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Elton John]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulson |first=Jennifer |date=April 11, 2018 |title=Elton John adds second show in Colorado |url=https://gazette.com/news/elton-john-adds-second-show-in-colorado/article_e2676f3c-f3a4-50c2-a649-bb989ad1c93c.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |language=en}}</ref> [[Twenty One Pilots]],<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Decker |first1=David |last2=Vera |first2=Veronica |date=2021-10-06 |title=Twenty One Pilots Take Denver by Storm |url=https://digitalbeatmag.com/twenty-one-pilots-take-denver-by-storm/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Digital Beat Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[Madonna]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2012-10-19 |title=Madonna Angers Denver Audience By Pretending To Shoot Guns Into Crowd - CBS Colorado |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/madonna-angers-denver-audience-by-pretending-to-shoot-guns-into-crowd/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> have held concerts at the arena.

During the week of July 2&ndash;8, 2007, the arena hosted the International Convention and Contests of the [[Barbershop Harmony Society]], a men's singing organization.

After a short-lived race at the [[Denver Civic Center]] in the early 1990s, the [[Champ Car World Series]] ran an annual street circuit race around Pepsi Center, the [[Grand Prix of Denver]]. The race was discontinued after the 2006 event.

The majority of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] was held at the arena, culminating with the official nomination of then-Senator [[Barack Obama]] as the Democratic Party's candidate for the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 presidential election]]. However, the closing night of the convention, including Obama's acceptance speech, was instead held at [[Empower Field at Mile High|Invesco Field at Mile High]].<ref name="news1">{{cite news|date=August 29, 2008|title=Obama accepts Democrat nomination|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7586375.stm|url-status=live|access-date=August 29, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105234449/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7586375.stm|archive-date=January 5, 2010|df=mdy}}</ref>

Madonna's concert on October 18, 2012, as part of her [[The MDNA Tour|MDNA Tour]] (2012) drew controversy and complaints from critics and fans alike. Not only was the show reported to have started three hours late, but it also used [[Toy gun|fake guns]] during a violence-inspired performance of her tracks "[[Revolver (song)|Revolver]]" and "[[Gang Bang (song)|Gang Bang]]". The performance took place less than three months after a [[mass shooting]] [[2012 Aurora theater shooting|at a movie theatre in nearby Aurora, Colorado]], driving feelings that its inclusion was insensitive and in poor taste.<ref name=":0" />