TheMohegan Sun Arenais a 10,000 seat multi-purposearenain theUncasvillearea ofMontville,Connecticutlocated inside theMohegan Suncasino resort. The arena facility features 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) of configurable exhibition space and a 400-foot (120 m)clear span.It was built by thePerini Building Company,and opened in October 2001.[2]The arena is home to theConnecticut Sunof theWomen's National Basketball Association(WNBA).
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 Mohegan Sun Arena in 2023 | |
  Mohegan Sun Arena Location within Connecticut  Mohegan Sun Arena Location within the United States | |
| Address | 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd |
|---|---|
| Location | Uncasville, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°29′28″N72°5′23″W/ 41.49111°N 72.08972°W |
| Operator | Mohegan Sun |
| Capacity | Basketball:9,323 Concerts:10,000 Lacrosse:7,074[1] |
| Opened | October 2001 |
| Tenants | |
| Mohegan Wolves(AF2) (2002–2003) Connecticut Sun(WNBA) (2003–present) New England Black Wolves(NLL) (2015–2021) | |
| Website | |
| http://mohegansun.com | |
History
editThe multi-purpose facility has hosted a wide variety of events; including theAmerican Kennel Club,WWE,[3]concerts from major classical, country, jazz, metal, rap, rock, and pop acts, as well as sporting events such asPBRevents, Bellator,NCAAgames,PBAtournaments, earlyUFCbouts, and theWorld's Strongest ManSuper Series Competition. The largest event on record to have been held at the arena was the inauguralBarrett-Jacksoncollector car auction in the Northeast in 2016, for which 90,000 tickets were sold to the multi-day event.[4]
Major network and cable television broadcasting companies, includingCBS,NBC,ABC,FOX,ESPNandCNNhave all produced events through this arena.
Arena football
editThe arena originally served as home of theMohegan Wolvesarena footballteam until it was sold and moved toManchester, New Hampshirein 2004. On July 19, 2001,Uncasvillewas awarded anAF2expansion team.[5]On December 12, 2001,Mohegan Sunand 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 introducedGary Porter,as the head coach for the team that would first take the field April 5, 2002 at the Mohegan Sun Arena against theAlbany Conquest.Gary Porter, previously led the expansionPeoria Piratesto a 7–9 record in 2001.
The team name was selected through a "Name the Team" contest sponsored byWCTY,Mohegan Sun and X-Tra Mart. AJewett Cityresident, 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
editOn January 28, 2003, the arena was announced as the official home court for theConnecticut Sun.Prior to the fall of 2002, theNBAoperating model precluded anyWNBAteam without an NBA "brother" counterpart. By the time theConnecticut Sunmoved in,Val Ackermanwas the WNBA president and Mark L. Brown was thechairmanof theMoheganTribe. Though sports betting was legalized in Connecticut on October 1, 2021, the casino has suspended WNBA betting from its sportsbook operation.[6]
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 professionalbasketballgoods 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 the2020 season,as the entire season was relocated toIMG AcademyinBradenton, Floridadue to theCOVID-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 wherefans were not permitted.The event was calledBubbleville.
Lacrosse
editOn April 21, 2002, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the2002National Lacrosse LeagueAll-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 theMVPof the event.
On August 5, 2014, the National Lacrosse League announced that thePhiladelphia Wingswould move to the Mohegan Sun Arena and be re-branded as theNew England Black Wolvesfor the2015 season.[7]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 theAlbany FireWolves.[8]
Attendance history
edit| Season | Attendance |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5,768 |
| 2016 | 5,589 |
| 2017 | 7,074 |
| 2018 | 6,158 |
| 2019 | 6,445 |
Mixed martial arts
editOn January 11, 2002, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted its first MMA event,UFC 35,headlined byJens PulvervsB.J. Penn.The UFC also heldUFC 45at the arena, an event headlined byMatt Hughesvs.Frank Trigg. Bellator MMAhas 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
editThe arena has hosted variousWWEandAll Elite Wrestlingevents, including frequently hosted episodes ofRaw,SmackDown,andRampage.
Seating
editAs 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 byBillboard Magazine.
Notable events
edit
- WNBA All-Star Game–2005,[9]2009,2010,[10]2013,2015
- National Lacrosse League2002 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 Fame2020 enshrinement ceremony – May 15, 2021
NBA games
edit| Date | Home | Score | Away | Game Type | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 11, 2014 | Boston Celtics | 80–92 | New York Knicks | Preseason | 9,252 |
| October 8, 2016 | Boston Celtics | 104–86 | Charlotte Hornets | Preseason | 8,052 |
Strength Athletics Grand Prix
editThis section needs to beupdated.(August 2019) |
Since 2005, the arena has hosted one of the premier internationalstrongmanGrand Prix events.
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | 3rd Place | Event Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Mariusz Pudzianowski |
 Jessen Paulin |
 Don Pope |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Final ofWSM Super Series 2005[11] |
| 2006 | Mariusz Pudzianowski |
Jesse Marunde |
Josh Thigpen |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Final of WSM Super Series 2006[12] |
| 2007 | Mariusz Pudzianowski |
Kevin Nee |
 Mark Felix |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Start of WSM Super Series 2007[13] |
| 2008 | Derek Poundstone |
Mariusz Pudzianowski |
Terry Hollands |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix Start ofWSM Super Series 2008[14] |
| 2009 | Derek Poundstone |
Travis Ortmayer |
Brian Shaw |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix 2009[15] May 17, 2009 Start ofGiants Live2009 |
| 2010 | Derek Poundstone |
Brian Shaw |
 Stojan Todorchev |
Mohegan Sun Grand Prix 2010[15] April 25, 2010 Start ofWSM Super Series 2010 |
References
edit- ^"2018-19 NLL Media Guide, page 52, New England Black Wolves Team Information"(PDF).National Lacrosse League.RetrievedMarch 13,2019.
- ^"Perini Building Company".Archived fromthe originalon 2 February 2005.Retrieved20 January2005.
- ^"WWE".Retrieved9 September2006.
- ^Kristafer, Ryan (21 June 2017)."Cruisin' Connecticut – Barrett-Jackson Auction at Mohegan Sun".wtnh.com.wtnh.com.Retrieved28 June2017.
- ^"af2 enters SE Connecticut".www.oursportscentral.com.OurSports Central. July 19, 2001.RetrievedJuly 19,2017.
- ^Eaton-Robb, Pat (4 October 2021)."Mohegan Sun suspends betting on WNBA at new sportsbook".Associated Press News.Retrieved14 May2022.
- ^"Our History".
- ^Times Union Center gets National Lacrosse League franchise,Mark Singelais, Albany Times-Union, February 22nd, 2021
- ^Evans, Jayda (January 26, 2010)."Mohegan Sun Arena to host another WNBA All-Star game".The Seattle Times.
- ^[1]
- ^Wednesday, August 10, 2005,Mariusz Wins Mohegan Sun Grand Prix... Paulen, Pope and Thigpen Qualify for WSM,by Randall J. StrossenofIronMind
- ^Thursday, June 1, 2006,Mariusz Pudzianowski: Big Win at the Mohegan Sun,by Randall J. StrossenofIronMind
- ^Tuesday, April 24, 2007,From the Mohegan Sun to WSM '07,by Randall J. StrossenofIronMind
- ^Friday, February 29, 2008,Eleiko WSM Super Series Mohegan Sun Grand Prixby Randall J. StrossenofIronMind
- ^abOfficial ResultsArchived2009-07-24 at theWayback Machine
External links
edit- https://web.archive.org/web/20080731120733/http://www.mohegansun.com/entertainment/arena-360view-popup.html
- http://www.wnba.com/sun/news/winteressentials.htmlMohegan Sun Winter Essentials Store
| Events and tenants | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by first arena
|
Home of the Mohegan Wolves 2002–2003 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Home of the Connecticut Sun 2003– present |
Succeeded by current
|
| Preceded by | Host of the WNBA All-Star Game 2005 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Host of the WNBA All-Star Game 2009 |
Succeeded by unknown
|
| Preceded by | Ultimate Fighting Championshipvenue UFC 35 |
Succeeded by |