XL Center
![]() XL Center logo | |
![]() XL Center in 2022 | |
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Former names | Hartford Civic Center (1975–2007) |
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Address | 1 Civic Center Plaza |
Location | Hartford, Connecticut,U.S. |
Coordinates | 41°46′06″N72°40′37″W/ 41.76833°N 72.67694°W |
Public transit | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Owner | City of Hartford[1] |
Operator | Oak View Group |
Capacity | Concerts: 20,500 Basketball: 15,684 Ice hockey: 14,750 (9,801 with curtain system) |
Surface | 200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) (hockey) |
Construction | |
Broke ground | April 2, 1971[2] |
Opened | January 9, 1975 |
Closed | 1978–1980 (roof collapse, renovations) |
Construction cost | $30 million[3] ($170 million in 2023 dollars[4]) |
Architect | Kling & Associates Danos and Associates[5] |
Project manager | Gilbane Building Company[6] |
Structural engineer | Fraoli, Blum, and Yesselman, Engineers[7] |
General contractor | William L. Crow Construction Company[6] |
Tenants | |
Hartford Wolf Pack[a](AHL) (1997–present) UConn Huskies(NCAA) Men's basketball(1975–present)[b][c] Women's basketball(1975–present)[b][c] Men's ice hockey(2014–present)[b] New England / Hartford Whalers(WHA/NHL) (1975–1997)[c] Boston Celtics(NBA) (1975–1995)[b] Hartford Hellions(MISL) (1980–1981) Connecticut Coyotes(AFL) (1995–1996) New England Blizzard(ABL) (1996–1998) Connecticut Pride(CBA) (1993–2000) New England Sea Wolves(AFL) (1999–2000) | |
Website | |
xlcenter |
TheXL Center(originally known as theHartford Civic Center) is a multi-purposearenaandconvention centerlocated in downtownHartford, Connecticut.Owned by the City of Hartford, it is managed by the quasi-publicCapital Region Development Authority(CRDA) under a lease with the city and operated bySpectra.In December 2007, the center was renamed when the arena's naming rights were sold toXL Groupinsurance company in a six-year agreement. The arena is ranked the 28th largest among college basketball arenas. It opened in 1975 as the Hartford Civic Center and was originally located adjacent toCivic Center Mall,which was demolished in 2004. It consists of two facilities: the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Exhibition Center.
On March 21, 2007, the CRDA selected the Northland/Anschutz Entertainment Groupproposal to operate the arena complex; Northland also developed theHartford 21residential tower on the adjacent Civic Center Mall site. It was revealed that Northland will assume total responsibility for the building paying for any and all losses, and will keep any profits. In 2012, the CRDA put the contract out to bid with hopes of combining the operations withRentschler Field.[8]In February 2013,Global Spectrumof Philadelphia was chosen to take over both the XL Center and Rentschler Field[9]with Ovations Food Services taking over all food and beverage operations.
Hartford Civic Center
[edit]The Civic Center is the full-time home of theHartford Wolf PackAHL hockey team and part-time home of theUniversity of Connecticut(UConn) men's and women's basketball teams and theUConn Huskies men's ice hockeyteam. Starting in the late 1990s, UConn men's basketball moved most of their important games—including the bulk of theirBig East Conferencegames—to the Coliseum. During the 2011–2012 season, for instance, they played 11 home games at the Coliseum and only eight at their on-campus facility,Gampel Pavilion.This practice continued when the Huskies joined theAmerican Athletic Conference,successorto the original Big East, in 2013. TheUConn men's hockey teamuses the XL Center as its primary home as the newest men's member ofHockey East.
It was the home of theNew England/Hartford Whalersof theWHAandNHLfrom 1975 to 1978 and 1980 to 1997, and theHartford Hellionsof theMISLfrom 1980 to 1981, and theNew England Blizzardof theABLfrom 1996 to 1998, and hosted occasionalBoston Celticshome games from 1975 to 1995. One of the most famous shotsLarry Birdever made, although it did not count, took place at the Hartford Civic Center: the shot from behind the backboard.[10]It was the home of theConnecticut Coyotesand later theNew England Sea Wolvesof theArena Football League.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Hartford_Civic_Center_%282988429730%29.jpg/220px-Hartford_Civic_Center_%282988429730%29.jpg)
The arena seats 15,635 forice hockeyand 16,294 forbasketball,16,606 for center-stageconcerts,16,282 for end-stage concerts, and 8,239 for3⁄4-end stage concerts, and contains 46 luxury suites and a 310-seat Coliseum Club, plus 25,000 square feet (2,300 m2) of arena floor space, enabling it to be used for trade shows and conventions in addition to concerts, circuses, ice shows, sporting events and other events. Thegraduation ceremonies of Central Connecticut State Universityand other local colleges are also held annually at the XL Center.
Early history and roof collapse
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/HartfordCivicCenterSoldOut.jpg/200px-HartfordCivicCenterSoldOut.jpg)
As originally built in 1975, it seated 10,507 for hockey, and served as the home of the then–New England Whalersfor three years. In the early morning of January 18, 1978, the Civic Center's roof collapsed. Engineering analyses during litigation following the collapse indicated that compression members were overloaded through undersizing and underestimation of the probable loadings, and that lateral bracing of individual members was insufficient. "The roof did not fail due to the heavy snow that fell on that January night. According to the official City investigation, the roof began progressive failure as soon as it had been installed. Contributing factors included design errors, an underestimation of the weight of the roof, and differences between the design and the actual built structure."[11]
Investigations attributed the design issues to the unprecedented use of and trust in computer analysis. An absence of peer review for the novel structure and design process, and fragmentation of oversight responsibility during construction were also cited as contributing factors. Evidence showed that the roof had started to fail during construction, with bowed compression members. These distortions, and an unpredicted degree of deflection in the structure, were not investigated before the collapse.[12]There were no injuries due to the collapse. The building was heavily renovated and re-opened on January 17, 1980.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/XL-Center-12-10-22-5.jpg/220px-XL-Center-12-10-22-5.jpg)
The Arena hosted theHartford Whalersfrom 1975 to 1997, when the team relocated toRaleighto become theCarolina Hurricanes.In 1994, new ownerPeter Karmanospledged to keep the Whalers in Connecticut until 1998, unless they could not sell over 11,000 season tickets. After failed negotiations to build a new downtown arena for the Whalers with then-governorJohn G. Rowland,on March 25, 1997, Karmanos announced that the team would leave. TheNew York Rangersfranchise, looking to capitalize on Hartford as a potential market, placed its farm team there to become the Hartford Wolf Pack, starting in 1997. After a short stint as theConnecticut Whale,they reverted to the Wolf Pack moniker in 2013.
Current arena and recent renovations
[edit]In September 2010, the arena was upgraded with a new center-hung scoreboard with four Sony Jumbotrons and a state-of-the-art sound system.[13] The Connecticut State Legislature set aside $35 million in funding for improvements to the XL Center that began in early spring 2014 and completed in time for the start of the 2014–15 seasons of the Wolf Pack and UConn men's hockey in October. Improvements included upgrades to the mechanical system, locker rooms and concourse, replacing jumbotrons with a newHD videoboard, as well as aesthetic improvements such as a new bar area inside the arena and luxury seating in the lower bowl. A portion of the $35 million allocation went towards a study on the arena's long-term viability; either more major renovations or replacing it with a new facility.
Events
[edit]The XL Center has held many notable events including:
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/Hartfordmj.jpg/200px-Hartfordmj.jpg)
- TheECAC New England Region tournament,aNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA)Division Imen'scollege basketballtournament organized by theEastern College Athletic Conference(ECAC), took place at the Hartford Civic Center on March 3 and 5,1977.The tournament champion received an automatic bid to the1977 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.[14][15]
- The 1982Big East Conferenceand 1988–1990America East Conferencemen's basketball tournaments were also here, as well as occasional games of theUConn Huskiesmen's basketball team.[16]
- Rock group theGrateful Deadperformed at the arena 18 times. Several concerts were released in entirety on the live albumsTo Terrapin: Hartford '77,Dick's Picks Volume 6,Spring 1990 (The Other One),andSpring 1990 (album).[17]
- The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) made their first-ever visit to the XL Center for a Built Ford Tough Series (now known as the Unleash the Beast Series) event the weekend of October 7–9, 2011.[18]
- The arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions in 2016.[19]
- The arena has hosted many professional wrestling events; including1990 Survivor Series(which saw the debut of popular wrestling legendThe Undertaker),WrestleMania XI,2000 No Way Out,2004 Vengeance,and2019 Money in the Bank.All Elite Wrestling'sAEW CollisionJuly 29, 2023, episode.
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Boston Celtics
[edit]Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Game Type | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 11, 1975 | Atlanta Hawks | L | 100–91 | RS | 10,591 |
December 17, 1975 | Kansas City Kings | W | 104–118 | RS | 11,243 |
January 13, 1976 | Portland Trail Blazers | W | 94–106 | RS | 11,243 |
March 9, 1976 | New Orleans Jazz | L | 117–99 | RS | 11,230 |
April 6, 1976 | Cleveland Cavaliers | L | 101–92 | RS | 11,243 |
October 28, 1976 | Buffalo Braves | W | 105–112 | RS | 10,608 |
January 11, 1977 | Houston Rockets | W | 101–105 | RS | 10,011 |
February 15, 1977 | Detroit Pistons | W | 99–109 | RS | 9,879 |
March 1, 1977 | Golden State Warriors | L | 101–94 | RS | 11,273 |
March 30, 1977 | Chicago Bulls | W | 88–90 | RS | 11,089 |
April 9, 1977 | San Antonio Spurs | W | 105–120 | RS | 10,859 |
October 25, 1977 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 103–110 | RS | 6,590 |
December 13, 1977 | New Jersey Nets | W | 108–122 | RS | 5,518 |
January 5, 1978 | Phoenix Suns | L | 121–111 | RS | 10,019 |
February 26, 1980 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 97–108 | RS | 15,622 |
March 18, 1980 | Indiana Pacers | W | 102–114 | RS | 15,622 |
October 23, 1980 | New York Knicks | L | 109–107 | RS | 12,941 |
November 9, 1980 | Chicago Bulls | W | 105–111 | RS | 8,627 |
December 7, 1980 | Washington Bullets | L | 113–103 | RS | 11,430 |
January 19, 1981 | Detroit Pistons | W | 90–92 | RS | 9,941 |
March 13, 1981 | Indiana Pacers | L | 101–94 | RS | 15,622 |
November 13, 1981 | New Jersey Nets | W | 97–11 | RS | 11,753 |
December 11, 1981 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 86–94 | RS | 13,369 |
January 10, 1982 | Detroit Pistons | W | 124–134 | RS | 15,429 |
November 30, 1982 | Detroit Pistons | L | 123–116 | RS | 11,762 |
January 31, 1983 | Chicago Bulls | W | 104–110 | RS | 12,742 |
March 7, 1983 | New Jersey Nets | W | 114–121 | RS | 15,165 |
December 9, 1983 | Denver Nuggets | W | 90–119 | RS | 13,374 |
January 20, 1984 | Indiana Pacers | W | 125–132 | RS | 13,134 |
March 2, 1984 | Chicago Bulls | W | 100–104 | RS | 14,529 |
December 11, 1984 | New Jersey Nets | W | 121–130 | RS | 13,357 |
January 29, 1985 | Detroit Pistons | W | 130–131 | RS | 15,685 |
February 22, 1985 | Chicago Bulls | W | 105–115 | RS | 15,685 |
December 10, 1985 | Atlanta Hawks | W | 110–114 | RS | 14,493 |
February 23, 1986 | Indiana Pacers | W | 98–113 | RS | 15,124 |
March 18, 1986 | Cleveland Cavaliers | W | 96–126 | RS | 15,134 |
December 2, 1986 | Washington Bullets | L | 117–109 | RS | 15,134 |
February 23, 1987 | New Jersey Nets | W | 103–116 | RS | 15,134 |
March 24, 1987 | Cleveland Cavaliers | W | 88–111 | RS | 15,134 |
November 23, 1987 | Chicago Bulls | L | 107–102 | RS | 15,134 |
February 22, 1988 | New York Knicks | W | 93–95 | RS | 15,134 |
March 11, 1988 | Indiana Pacers | W | 112–122 | RS | 15,134 |
November 22, 1988 | Cleveland Cavaliers | L | 114–102 | RS | 15,239 |
February 24, 1989 | Milwaukee Bucks | W | 112–125 | RS | 15,239 |
March 13, 1989 | New Jersey Nets | W | 91–114 | RS | 15,239 |
November 14, 1989 | Philadelphia 76ers | W | 94–96 | RS | 15,239 |
February 6, 1990 | Milwaukee Bucks | L | 119–106 | RS | 15,239 |
March 9, 1990 | Washington Bullets | L | 115–108 | RS | 15,239 |
November 26, 1990 | Miami Heat | W | 101–118 | RS | 15,239 |
February 22, 1991 | New Jersey Nets | W | 99–111 | RS | 15,239 |
March 4, 1991 | Indiana Pacers | W | 101–126 | RS | 15,239 |
November 25, 1991 | Washington Bullets | W | 108–121 | RS | 14,678 |
February 21, 1992 | Charlotte Hornets | W | 110–113 | RS | 15,239 |
March 13, 1992 | New Jersey Nets | L | 110–108 | RS | 15,239 |
November 23, 1992 | Atlanta Hawks | L | 101–97 | RS | 13,299 |
February 9, 1993 | Milwaukee Bucks | W | 92–104 | RS | 14,137 |
March 28, 1993 | Washington Bullets | W | 113–114 | RS | 15,239 |
November 22, 1993 | Indiana Pacers | L | 102–71 | RS | 13,200 |
February 17, 1994 | New Jersey Nets | L | 117–98 | RS | 12,588 |
March 27, 1994 | Philadelphia 76ers | W | 122–124 | RS | 13,259 |
November 22, 1994 | Milwaukee Bucks | L | 116–94 | RS | 12,829 |
February 23, 1995 | Orlando Magic | W | 117–119 | RS | 15,242 |
April 15, 1995 | Detroit Pistons | W | 104–129 | RS | 12,979 |
October 14, 2009 | Toronto Raptors | W | 90–106 | PS | 10,117 |
October 16, 2010 | New York Knicks | W | 84–97 | PS | 15,138 |
October 13, 2012 | New York Knicks | L | 98–95 | PS | 14,218 |
October 8, 2014 | New York Knicks | W | 86–106 | PS | 8,462 |
International basketball games
[edit]Date | Opponent | Result | Home | Game Type | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 27, 2020 | United States![]() |
79–64 | UConn Huskies | Exhibition | 13,919 |
International hockey games
[edit]Date | Away | Score | Home | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|
December 27, 1976 | Soviet Union![]() |
2–5 | ![]() |
— |
August 28, 1987 | Finland![]() |
1–4 | ![]() |
8,508 |
September 4, 1987 | Soviet Union![]() |
5–1 | ![]() |
14,838 |
January 7, 1989 | CSKA Moscow![]() |
6–3 | ![]() |
— |
December 27, 1989 | Krylya Sovetov Moscow![]() |
3–4 (OT) | ![]() |
— |
January 3, 1991 | Dynamo Moscow![]() |
0–0 | ![]() |
— |
December 14, 2019 | Canada![]() |
1–4 | ![]() |
7,126[26] |
UConn Huskies
[edit]The XL Center serves as the second home for the University of Connecticut's men's and women's basketball programs. At the start of the 2014–15 season the UConn men's ice hockey program moved to the XL Center as a condition of its joining Hockey East.[27]In September 2018, the UConn Board of Trustees approved a plan to build a new 2,500-seat arena with 500 seat-backs in Storrs with the option to expand to 3,500 seats if necessary. Though Hockey East requires arenas to hold at least 4,000, UConn received a waiver for the project since the expectation is for the Huskies' men's hockey program to continue to play some of its games at the XL Center in Hartford. The target construction date is April 2021 with substantial completion wanted by October 2022. If everything stays on track, the arena would open in December 2022.[28]
UConn Hockey attendance records
[edit]Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|
February 9, 2019 | Merrimack | W5–0 | 8,211[29] |
November 15, 2014 | #3Boston College | W1–0 | 8,089[30] |
November 22, 2014 | #3Boston University | L2–5 | 7,712 |
February 16, 2018 | #20Boston University | W5–4OT | 7,372[31] |
Exhibition center
[edit]The Exhibition Center consists of a 68,855-square-foot (6,397 m2) exhibit hall, a 16,080-square-foot (1,494 m2) assembly hall that can divide into two meeting rooms, plus seven meeting rooms totaling 7,390 square feet (687 m2) and two lobbies totaling 6,100 square feet (570 m2). It is used for trade shows, conventions, banquets, meetings and other events.
The surrounding shopping mall was torn down in 2004 and was replaced by street-level retail shops and a 36-story residential tower named Hartford 21 which opened in 2006 and is the tallest residential tower between New York City and Boston.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Opportunities for The Hartford Civic Center"(PDF).The Connecticut Development Authority. p. 36. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 12, 2008.RetrievedMarch 30,2008.
- ^"Ground is Broken For the Civic Center".Hartford Courant.April 2, 1971.RetrievedSeptember 20,2011.
- ^Swift, Mike (January 9, 1995)."A Quiet Hartford Civic Center Turns 20 Today".Hartford Courant.RetrievedSeptember 21,2011.
- ^1634–1699:McCusker, J. J.(1997).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1700–1799:McCusker, J. J.(1992).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1800–present:Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis."Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–".RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
- ^Modern concrete: Volume 40.Chicago: Pit & Quarry Publications. 1976. p. 20.
- ^ab"XL Center".Emporis.RetrievedSeptember 21,2011.[dead link]
- ^"Failure Cases – Hartford Civic Center".Materials Education and Research Pathway. Archived fromthe originalon August 1, 2010.RetrievedFebruary 20,2012.
- ^Jacobs, Jeff (February 3, 2013)."Secrecy On XL Center, Rentschler Plans Isn't Helping Matters".Hartford Courant.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^Gosselin, Kenneth R. (February 7, 2013)."Philadelphia Group Picked To Run XL Center, Rentschler Field".Hartford Courant.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^Arace, Michael (November 21, 1993)."BIRD HAD RIGHT TOUCH IN HARTFORD".Hartford Courant.RetrievedJune 19,2022.
- ^Gammell, Ben (January 18, 2020)."Almost a Tragedy: The Collapse of the Hartford Civic Center".
- ^Martin, Rachel."Hartford Civic Center Arena Roof Collapse".University of Alabama at Birmingham. Archived fromthe originalon January 8, 2008.RetrievedNovember 20,2009.
- ^Jacobs, Jeff (October 5, 2010)."XL Center Gets New Video Boards".Hartford Courant.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^"ECAC Men's Basketball Tournaments".Varsity Pride.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^"1977 ECAC Men's Basketball Tournaments".Varsity Pride.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^"XL Center (Hartford, CT)".University of Connecticut Department of Athletics.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^Catlin, Roger (November 3, 1996)."'83 Hartford Show Latest "Dick's Pick"".courant.com.RetrievedFebruary 12,2020.
- ^Broun, Sara (October 6, 2011)."PBR Built Ford Tough Series Visits Hartford for First Time".Professional Bull Riders.RetrievedJune 10,2014.
- ^"2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15".usagym.org.RetrievedApril 1,2019.
- ^"1979–80 Hartford Whalers Results and Schedule".Hockey Database.RetrievedFebruary 27,2013.
- ^McGowen, Deane (March 22, 1981)."Duguay Gets 2 Goals As Rangers Win, 6–4".The New York Times.RetrievedFebruary 27,2013.
- ^Berlet, Bruce (February 13, 1984)."Whalers Drill Oilers, 11–0, Flood Record Books".Hartford Courant.RetrievedFebruary 27,2013.
- ^abcJacobs, Jeff (March 27, 1992)."Playoff Sales Are Down".Hartford Courant.RetrievedFebruary 27,2013.
- ^Clinton, Jared (February 20, 2015)."Hartford Looking at Upgrades for XL Center – Could the NHL Come Back?".The Hockey News.RetrievedNovember 24,2016.
- ^Basketball Referencehttps://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS
- ^"U.S. Women's hockey beats Canada 4–1 in first game of the Rivalry Series in Hartford".December 15, 2019.
- ^"Connecticut joins Hockey East".Associated Press. June 21, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
- ^"UConn hockey's future home to seat 2,700 fans; construction starting in April 2021".SB Nation. September 22, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 29,2020.
- ^"Evans Scores Twice as Huskies Shutout Merrimack, 5–0".UConn Huskies.February 9, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
- ^"Huskies Knock Off #3 Boston College, 1–0 in Front of XL Sellout Crowd".UConn Huskies.November 5, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
- ^"Huskies Win Seventh-Straight on Letunov's OT Winner".UConn Huskies.February 16, 2018.RetrievedFebruary 10,2019.
Notes
[edit]External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Events and tenants | ||
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Preceded by | Home of theNew England / Hartford Whalers 1974–1978 1980–1997 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Home of the New England Sea Wolves 1999–2000 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Host ofNHL All-Star Game 1986 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Home of theHartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale 1997–present |
Succeeded by Current Arena
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Preceded by | Host ofWrestleMania 1995 |
Succeeded by |
- 1975 establishments in Connecticut
- American Hockey League venues
- Basketball venues in Connecticut
- Boston Celtics
- Collapsed buildings and structures in the United States
- College basketball venues in the United States
- Convention centers in Connecticut
- Defunct National Hockey League venues
- Former NBA venues
- Gymnastics venues in the United States
- Hartford Whalers
- Hartford Wolf Pack
- Indoor soccer venues in the United States
- Ice hockey venues in the United States
- Music venues in Connecticut
- New England Blizzard
- Rebuilt buildings and structures in the United States
- Sports venues completed in 1975
- Sports venues in Hartford County, Connecticut
- Sports venues in Hartford, Connecticut
- Tourist attractions in Hartford, Connecticut
- UConn Huskies basketball venues
- World Hockey Association venues