Editing MVP Arena

{{Short description|Indoor arena in Albany, New York, U.S.}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:MVP Arena}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = MVP Arena
| nickname = 
| image = Times Union Center 2011.jpg
| caption = MVP Arena, then known as Times Union Center, in 2011.
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=280|zoom=15|type=point}}
| pushpin_map = New York#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within New York State##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = MVP Arena
| address = 51 South Pearl Street
| location = [[Albany, New York]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|42|38|55|N|73|45|17|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = February 5, 1987
| opened = January 30, 1990
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Albany County, New York|Albany County]]
| operator = ASM Global
| surface = Multi-surface
| construction_cost = $69.4&nbsp;million, $1.6&nbsp;million (2010 renovation)
| architect = Crozier Associates
| structural engineer = [[Clough Harbour|Clough Harbour & Associates]]
| general_contractor = Beltrone/MLB
| former_names = Knickerbocker Arena (1990–1997)<br>Pepsi Arena (1997–2007)<br>Times Union Center (2007-2021)
| tenants = [[Indiana Firebirds|Albany Firebirds]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]]) (1990–2000)<br>[[New York Kick]] ([[National Professional Soccer League II|NPSL]]) (1990–1991)<br>[[Albany Choppers]] ([[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|IHL]]) (1990–1991)<br>[[Albany Patroons]] ([[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]]) (1990–1992)<br>[[Siena Saints]] ([[NCAA]]) (1990–present)<br>[[Albany River Rats]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (1993–2010)<br>[[Albany Attack]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]) (2000–2003)<br>[[Albany Firebirds (af2)|Albany Conquest/Firebirds]] ([[af2]]) (2002–2009)<br>[[Albany Devils]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (2010–2017)<br>[[Albany Empire (AFL)|Albany Empire]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]]) (2018–2019)<br> Albany Hyenas ([[Interstate Box Lacrosse Association|IBLA]]) (2020&ndash;2021)<br>[[Albany Empire (NAL)|Albany Empire]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]]) (2021-2023)<br>[[Albany FireWolves]] ([[National Lacrosse League|NLL]]) (2021&ndash;present)<br>[[Albany Firebirds (2023-)|Albany Firebirds]] ([[Arena Football League (2024)|AFL]]) (2024)/([[Arena Football One (2025)|AF1]]) (2025)

| seating_capacity = 15,357 (concerts)<br>15,229 (basketball)<br>14,236 (hockey/lacrosse)<br>13,785 (arena football)<br>17,500 (max)
| website = {{url|mvparena.com}}
}}

'''MVP Arena''' (originally '''Knickerbocker Arena''', and then the '''Pepsi Arena''' and '''Times Union Center''') is an [[indoor arena]] located in [[Albany, New York]]. It is configurable and can accommodate from 6,000 to 17,500 people,<ref>{{cite web |title=Plan Your Event |url=http://www.albanycapitalcenter.com/plan_your_event/Times-Union-Center_125_complex.htm |website=albanycapitalcenter.com |publisher=Albany Capital Center |access-date=18 September 2020 |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922074932/http://www.albanycapitalcenter.com/plan_your_event/Times-Union-Center_125_complex.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> with a maximum [[seating capacity]] of 15,500 for sporting events.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeMasi |first1=Michael |date=January 5, 2018 |title=$1.1 million in new contracts awarded for Times Union Center upgrades |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2018/01/05/1-1-million-in-new-contracts-awarded-for-times.html |work=Albany Business Review |publisher=American City Business Journals |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

The building, designed by Crozier Associates and engineered by [[Clough Harbour|Clough Harbour & Associates]], was built by Beltrone/MLB at a cost of $69.4&nbsp;million.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}
[[File:MVP Arena Logo.jpg|thumb|MVP Arena logo pictured on the Siena Men's Basketball court in 2022]]

==History==
The arena was opened on January 30, 1990, as the Knickerbocker Arena with a performance by [[Frank Sinatra]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Times Union Enters a New Arena|first=Carol|last=DeMare|url=http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6397454|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=May 5, 2006|access-date=June 10, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234423/http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6397454|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[naming rights]] of the arena were sold to [[Pepsi]] in 1997 and it was known as Pepsi Arena from 1997 to 2006.<ref>{{cite web |title=Did You Know? |url=https://www.mvparena.com/center-info/did-you-know/ |website=mvparena.com |publisher=ASM Global |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> In May 2006, the naming rights were sold to the ''[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]]'', a regional newspaper, and the name of the arena became the Times Union Center on January 1, 2007. In October 2021, the Times Union relinquished naming rights. On November 15, 2021, it was announced that health care provider MVP Health Services had successfully acquired the naming rights.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rooney|first=Chris|date=November 15, 2021|title=MVP Arena will be new name for Times Union Center|url=https://wnyt.com/albany-new-york-news/mvp-arena-will-be-new-name-for-times-union-center-albanty/6302293/|website=WNYT.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115155042/https://wnyt.com/albany-new-york-news/mvp-arena-will-be-new-name-for-times-union-center-albanty/6302293/ |archive-date=November 15, 2021}}</ref> The Times Union, which is the largest newspaper for the Albany area, had declined to renew its naming rights, leading to MVP Arena's renaming. The new name took effect on January 1, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Steve|date=September 29, 2021|title=Times Union declines naming rights on Albany arena|url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Times-Union-declines-naming-rights-on-Albany-arena-16349340.php/|access-date=September 30, 2021|newspaper=Times Union}}</ref>

The building is managed by ASM Global.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Michael |title=Albany's Times Union Center has new management firm |url=https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Times-Union-Center-merger-14808343.php |website=timesunion.com |date=November 4, 2019 |publisher=Hearst |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

The New York State [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] Convention nominated then-[[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Hillary Clinton]] as its [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]] candidate at their statewide convention at Times Union Center on May 16, 2000. Her husband, President of the United States [[Bill Clinton]], attended the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=DID YOU KNOW? |url=https://www.timesunioncenter-albany.com/center-info/did-you-know/ |website=timesunioncenter-Albany.com |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref>

When the [[New Jersey Devils]]' AHL [[Albany Devils|franchise]] relocated to this arena in the summer of 2010, the arena received a new scoreboard, LED ribbons above the luxury suites and new outside lighting, as well as an upgraded home team locker room.<ref>{{cite news |title=Devils Era Begins at Refurbished Times Union Center|first=Pete|last=Dougherty|url=http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/devils-era-begins-at-refurbished-times-union-center/6121/|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=October 9, 2010|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

The arena is home to the [[Siena Saints men's basketball]] of the [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]] since the arena opened in 1990, the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League beginning in 2024 and the [[Albany FireWolves]] of the [[National Lacrosse League]] since late 2021.

==Sports==
The [[Siena College]]'s men's basketball team has been a major tenant of the arena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Siena-men-s-basketball-extends-deal-with-Times-14490033.php|title=Siena men's basketball extends deal with Times Union Center|first=Mark|last=Singelais|date=October 3, 2019|website=Times Union}}</ref>

Previous tenants have included the [[Albany Firebirds (af2)|Albany Firebirds]] (formerly Albany Conquest) of [[af2]], the original [[Albany Firebirds]] of the [[Arena Football League|AFL]], the [[Albany Empire (AFL)|Albany Empire]] of the AFL, the [[Albany Patroons]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]], the [[Albany Choppers]] of the [[International Hockey League (1945–2001)|IHL]], the [[Albany River Rats]] of the AHL, the [[Albany Attack]] of the [[National Lacrosse League|NLL]] and the [[New York Kick]] of the [[National Professional Soccer League II|NPSL II]].{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

MVP Arena also regularly hosts [[exhibition game]]s of major sports leagues. The [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], [[Women's National Basketball Association|WNBA]] and [[National Hockey League|NHL]] have all played games at the arena.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

[[Andre Agassi]] played [[John McEnroe]] just three days after Agassi won the [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]] in 1994.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.troyrecord.com/sports/on-the-record-ncaa-tourneys-return-to-the-tu-center/article_c51d9816-2d31-517e-9b18-459d41b13aa4.html|title=ON THE RECORD: NCAA Tourneys return to the TU Center|website=The Record|location=Troy|date=April 22, 2017}}</ref>

The arena also hosts [[Monster Jam]] and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.

In addition, the arena has hosted the [[Professional Bull Riders]] premier tour in 2008 and again in 2022, with another in 2023 in conjunction with the 2024 PBR season.

===Ice hockey===
MVP Arena was home to the [[American Hockey League]] from 1993, when the [[Albany River Rats]] became the building's primary tenant until 2017. The River Rats won the [[Calder Cup]] championship in 1994–95.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gwizdala |first1=Michael |title=ONCE A CHAMPION, ALWAYS A CHAMPION |url=https://www.troyrecord.com/news/albany-river-rats-reflect-25-years-after-calder-cup-title/article_43c41aa6-a1b8-11ea-b6c6-cfde02a34a2a.html |website=Troyrecord.com |date=May 29, 2020 |publisher=21st Century Media |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

On April 24, 2008, one of the longest games in the history of the American Hockey League took place at the arena. [[Ryan Potulny]] scored the winning goal for the [[Philadelphia Phantoms]] at 2:58 of the fifth overtime period after 142 minutes and 58 seconds of hockey, played over 5 hours and 38 minutes. In the process, River Rats goaltender [[Michael Leighton]] set a modern-day record by making 98 saves.<ref>{{cite news |title=The Greatest Game?|first=Mark|last=McGuire|url=http://blog.timesunion.com/mcguire/the-greatest-game/451/|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=April 25, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

Following the River Rats' relocation to Charlotte, N.C., in 2010, the [[Albany Devils]] began play in the AHL.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gwizdala |first1=Michael |title=What Killed the AHL in Albany? |url=https://thehockeywriters.com/what-killed-the-ahl-in-albany/ |website=thehockeywriters.com |date=February 7, 2017 |publisher=The Hockey Writers |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

It was announced on January 31, 2017, that the Devils would relocate to [[Binghamton Devils|Binghamton]] following the completion of the 2016–17 season<ref>{{cite web |last=Kilgannon |first=Trish |url=http://www.twcnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/sports/2017/01/31/binghamton-gets-new-ahl-team.html |title=Binghamton Secures New AHL Team as Devils Relocate Franchise |publisher=TWC News |date=January 31, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202074859/http://www.twcnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/sports/2017/01/31/binghamton-gets-new-ahl-team.html |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref> ending 24 years of AHL hockey in the arena. At the time of the relocation, the Devils were drawing the lowest average attendance in the league.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Sources-Albany-Devils-leaving-for-Binghamton-10884403.php|title=Sources: Albany Devils leaving for Binghamton|first=Pete|last=Dougherty|date=January 26, 2017|website=Times Union}}</ref>

===WWE===
MVP Arena has hosted many live events and televised shows for the [[WWE]]. Notable events include the [[1992 Royal Rumble]], where [[Ric Flair]] won the 30-man over the top rope match to become the new [[WWF Champion]]. The [[No Mercy (2000)|2000 No Mercy]] was also held here and is the third No Mercy professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the WWF. This event was notable for the return on [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] after a neck injury sidelined him for the better part of a year and for [[Kurt Angle]] winning the WWF championship for the first time in his career. In 2006, at [[New Year's Revolution (2006)|WWE New Year's Revolution]], [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] cashed in the first ever [[WWE Money in the Bank|Money in the Bank]] contract to defeat [[John Cena]] for the [[WWE Championship]] after Cena retained his title in an [[Elimination Chamber]] match. On May 20, 2019, the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] was introduced by [[Mick Foley]] to the [[WWE Universe]] on the [[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]] with [[Titus O'Neil]] becoming the Inaugural champion. It was also here on March 22, 1999, that Steve Austin drove to the ring in a beer truck and gave a "beer bath" to [[Vince McMahon]], [[Shane McMahon]] and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]], a notable moment during the [[Attitude Era]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Glasspiegel |first1=Ryan |date=March 22, 2019 |title=It's Been 20 Years Since Steve Austin Doused the McMahons and The Rock With a Beer Truck Hose |url=https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/it-s-been-20-years-since-steve-austin-doused-the-mcmahons-and-the-rock-with-a-beer-truck-hose-01dmnpq2mb3a |website=thebiglead.com |publisher=Minute Media |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

===College sports===
MVP Arena hosted the [[ECAC Hockey]] championships each March from 2003 until 2010, when the league announced the tournament was moved to [[Boardwalk Hall]] in [[Atlantic City, New Jersey]]; and is often home to the annual [[Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference]] [[college basketball|basketball]] tournament (1990–96, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008–10, and 2015–19).
[[File:Times Union Center Atrium.jpg|thumb|left|MVP Arena's atrium circa 2008, with the 2007-2020 Times Union Center signage]]
In 2003, MVP Arena hosted the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] basketball East Regional, which was won by [[Syracuse University]] on their way to their first national championship. The arena also hosted the first and second rounds of the [[1995 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] as the Knickerbocker Arena.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.timesunioncenter-albany.com/center-info/history/ |website=timesunioncenter-albany.com |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

In 2008, MVP Arena hosted the NCAA [[college hockey|ice hockey]] East Regional tournament. The arena hosted ice-hockey regionals in even-numbered years from 2004 through 2010, which was the eighth time the East Regional has been held at the site.<ref>{{cite news |title=Denver, Cornell, New Hampshire, RIT in Albany Regional|first=Pete|last=Dougherty|url=http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/denver-cornell-new-hampshire-rit-in-albany-field/4744/|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=March 21, 2010|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

In 2000, MVP Arena hosted a regional quarterfinal between [[St. Lawrence University]] and [[Boston University]], which went into quadruple overtime. The game was the longest in the history of the tournament<ref>{{cite web |date=March 28, 2000 |title=St. Lawrence defeats BU -- at 123:53 |url=http://www.espn.com/nch/news/2000/0326/448018.html |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN, Inc. |agency=Associated Press |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> and, at the time, the second longest game in Division I men's college hockey history.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

MVP Arena also hosted the Frozen Four on two occasions, in 1992 (as Knickerbocker Arena) when [[Lake Superior State University]] defeated [[University of Wisconsin–Madison|Wisconsin]] for the national championship, and again in 2001 as the Pepsi Arena when [[Boston College]] defeated [[University of North Dakota|North Dakota]].{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

The venue hosted the NCAA women's basketball tournament from March 28 to 31, 2015, and six games of the NCAA Women's Albany 1 and Albany 2 Regionals (Sweet 16 and Elite 8) from March 29 to April 1, 2024.  The NCAA hockey East Regional for the ninth time was hosted from March 25 to 27, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=NCAA Again Calls on Albany|first=Mark|last=Singelais|url=http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/NCAA-again-calls-on-Albany-5055439.php|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=December 12, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> MVP Arena once again hosted the 1st and 2nd Rounds Of the 2023 Men's Basketball Tournament on March 17 and March 19, 2023.

===High school sports===
[[File:53rd NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships at Albany Times Union Center.jpg|thumb|Wrestlers gather on the floor of MVP Arena (then Times Union Center) for the opening ceremony of the 53rd NYSPHSAA Wrestling Championships on February 27, 2015.]]
MVP Arena has been a regular host of the [[New York State Public High School Athletic Association|NYSPHSAA]] Wrestling Championships since 2005 and has won a bid to host the annual event each year through 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=NYSPHSAA Tweet|url=https://twitter.com/NYSPHSAA/status/561205045883305984|publisher=New York State Public High School Athletic Association|access-date=March 1, 2015}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=September 2020}} According to the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the wrestling state tournament annually contributes more than $1.5&nbsp;million into the Capital Region economy, and in 2011 it was the second-largest sporting event in Albany County.<ref>{{cite news |title=State Wrestling Tournament Will Stay in Albany Through 2016|first=James|last=Allen|url=http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/State-wrestling-tournament-will-stay-in-Albany-2241493.php|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=October 28, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

=== Arena Football ===
Albany has had a long history of Arena Football. The [[Albany Firebirds]] were the first Arena Football team in Albany in 1990. They were successful, as they won [[ArenaBowl XIII]] in 1999. Then, after the team moved in 2000 they got an [[AF2]] team called the [[Albany Conquest]] in 2002. They were not as successful as their predecessors, making the playoffs three of the seven years they existed. In 2009, they rebranded back to the Albany Firebirds and made the playoffs, but lost in the first round. After 8 years, it was announced that the [[Albany Empire (AFL)|Albany Empire]] would be entering the Arena Football League in 2018 and they made the #1 seed in the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. In 2019, MVP Arena hosted [[ArenaBowl XXXII]] which Albany beat the [[Philadelphia Soul]] 45-27 and it was the final game ever played in the [[Arena Football League]]'s second iteration. In 2020, it was announced that the [[National Arena League]] would be bringing a new team to Albany, and it brought back the [[Albany Empire (NAL)|Albany Empire]] name. The new Empire would win back-to-back NAL championships in 2021 and 2022.

==Music==
[[File:TUCenter1.jpg|thumb|MVP Arena and its [[parking garage]], as viewed from the [[Empire State Plaza]], circa 2006. The 1997–2006 Pepsi Arena signage is visible in this photo.]]
[[File:Times Union Center.jpg|thumb|View of MVP Arena (then Times Union Center) from Pearl Street, circa 2009]]
The first-ever event at the arena was a [[Frank Sinatra]] concert on January 30, 1990.<ref>{{cite news|title=20 Years in Albany's Arena|first=Carol|last=DeMare|url=http://rsweb02.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?newsdate=3/23/2014&navigation=nextprior&category=REGION&storyID=895417|newspaper=[[Times Union (Albany)]]|date=January 31, 2010|access-date=June 10, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164946/http://rsweb02.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?newsdate=3%2F23%2F2014&navigation=nextprior&category=REGION&storyID=895417|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

In 1990, the [[Grateful Dead]] recorded their 1996 release, ''[[Dozin' at the Knick]]'', at the arena.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Metzger |first1=John |date=April 1997 |title=Grateful Dead Dozin' at the Knick |url=http://www.musicbox-online.com/gd-doze.html#axzz6YLzgBqo4 |website=musicbox-online.com |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

[[Whitesnake]] played at the arena during their [[Slip of the Tongue]] world tour in 1990. The concert took place February 15, and there were many empty seats due to a [[blizzard]] keeping many fans from getting to the arena.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

[[Gloria Estefan]] played at the arena on August 30, 1991, during her 1991-1992 “Into The Light World Tour.”

[[Metallica]] played at MVP Arena, then known as the Knickerbocker Arena, on February 28, 1992, during their [[Wherever We May Roam Tour]]. Their second show at the arena was on April 6, 1997 for their Poor Touring Me Tour, the opening act was Corrosion of Conformity. The band again played at the Arena, then known as the Pepsi Arena, on October 9, 2004, during their [[Madly in Anger with the World]] tour. Metallica played at the arena on November 12, 2009, during their [[World Magnetic Tour]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ALBANY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES TIMES UNION CENTER / NOVEMBER 12, 2009 |url=https://www.metallica.com/events/event-10743.html |website=Metallica.com |publisher=Metallica, Blackened Recordings |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

U2 played at the arena in 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Checkout-U2-s-81-show-at-J-B-Scott-s-surfaces-9195263.php|title=Rare audio of U2's '81 show in Capital Region surfaces|date=August 31, 2016|website=Times Union}}</ref> and again in 2001.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/TU-Center-has-second-most-profitable-year-ever-15000016.php|title=Times Union Center has second most profitable year ever|first=Bethany|last=Bump|date=January 24, 2020|website=Times Union}}</ref>

[[Phish]] has played the arena 16 times, most recently a series of benefit concerts for Anastasio's Divided Sky Foundation, in October 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pepsi Arena |url=https://phish.net/venue/273/Pepsi_Arena |website=phish.net |access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref>

[[Demi Lovato]] played at the arena on September 7, 2014, as part of their [[Demi World Tour]].<ref name="DeFeciani">{{cite web |last1=DeFeciani |first1=Emily |title=Pop star Ariana Grande kicks off tour in Albany |url=https://cbs6albany.com/news/local/pop-star-ariana-grande-kicks-off-tour-times-union-center-albany |website=cbs6albany.com |date=March 18, 2019 |publisher=Sinclair Broadcast Group |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref>

On March 18, 2019, [[Ariana Grande]] opened her [[Sweetener World Tour]] at the arena.<ref name="DeFeciani"/>

[[Céline Dion]] returned to the arena after 21 years on December 7, 2019, as part of her [[Courage World Tour]]. Dion's first performance at the arena took place on December 1, 1998, as part of her [[Let's Talk About Love World Tour]].<ref>{{cite web | last1=Shahen | first1=Jim Jr. |date=December 8, 2019 |title=Celine Dion lively, engaging at Times Union Center |url=https://www.timesunion.com/preview/article/Celine-Dion-lively-engaging-at-Times-Union-Center-14891407.php |website=timesunion.com |publisher=Hearst |access-date=14 December 2021}}</ref>

==Notable sellouts==
* [[The Rolling Stones|The Rolling Stones,]] [[A Bigger Bang Tour]] – September 17, 2005<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iorr.org/tour05/albany.htm|title=The Rolling Stones Albany Sep. 17 2005 show by IORR|website=iorr.org}}</ref>
* [[Paul McCartney]], [[Out There (tour)|Out There Tour]] – July 5, 2014; sold out in 28 minutes on April 14, 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Steve|title=Paul McCartney rocks Albany|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Photos-Fans-await-McCartney-in-Albany-5601891.php|access-date=July 7, 2014|work=[[Albany Times Union]]|date=July 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paul McCartney: The Jew-ish Beatle?|url=http://jbiztechvalley.com/2014/06/paul-mccartney-the-jew-ish-beatle/|access-date=July 7, 2014|work=JBiz Tech Valley|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714074913/http://jbiztechvalley.com/2014/06/paul-mccartney-the-jew-ish-beatle/|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>
* [[Philadelphia Soul]] at [[Albany Empire (AFL)|Albany Empire]] on April 14, 2018. First home game for the Empire.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Skodnick|first=Leif|date=April 16, 2018|url=https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Albany-a-winner-off-the-field-12835215.php|title=Skodnick: Empire sell-out shows Capital Region can support pro sports|work=Times Union|access-date=2018-04-17}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="200">
File:Times Union Center 2011.jpg|Full exterior
File:Times Union Center.jpg|Main entrance
File:Times Union Center Atrium.jpg|Atrium
File:TimesUnionCenterPano.jpg|alt=Panorama of Times Union Center|Interior panorama
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.mvparena.com/ Official website]

{{S-start-collapsible|header={{S-sta|et}}}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Albany Firebirds]]
 | years = 1990–2010
 | before = first arena
 | after = [[Conseco Fieldhouse]] (as [[Indiana Firebirds]])
}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Albany River Rats]]
 | years = 1993–2010
 | before = [[Houston Field House]] (as [[Capital District Islanders]])
 | after = [[Time Warner Cable Arena]] (as [[Charlotte Checkers (2010-)|Charlotte Checkers]])
}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Host of the<br>[[Frozen Four]]
 | years = 1992
 | before = [[Saint Paul Civic Center]]<br>[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]
 | after = [[Bradley Center]]<br>[[Milwaukee]]}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Host of the<br>[[Frozen Four]]
 | years = 2001
 | before = [[Providence Civic Center]]<br>[[Providence, Rhode Island]]
 | after = [[Xcel Energy Center]]<br>[[Saint Paul, Minnesota]]}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Home of the<br>[[Albany Devils]]
 | years = 2010–2017
 | before = [[Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell|Tsongas Center]] (as [[Lowell Devils]])
 | after = [[Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena]] (as [[Binghamton Devils]])
}}
{{S-end}}
{{Siena College}}
{{Siena Saints men's basketball navbox}}
{{Albany Empire}}
{{Indiana Firebirds}}
{{NLL Arenas}}
{{Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference basketball venue navbox}}
{{New York NCAA Division I college basketball venue navbox}}
{{Albany, New York}}
{{NAL}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:MVP_Arena_Albany}}
[[Category:Albany Devils]]
[[Category:Albany Empire (AFL)]]
[[Category:Albany FireWolves]]
[[Category:Albany River Rats]]
[[Category:College basketball venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:College ice hockey venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Event venues established in 1990]]
[[Category:Indoor lacrosse venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Indoor soccer venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Mixed martial arts venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Siena Saints basketball]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1990]]
[[Category:Tennis venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues in New York (state)]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in New York (state)]]