Operator SMG Broke ground September 15, 1997 Phone +1 570-970-7600 | Surface Multi-surface Capacity 8,300 | |
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Former names Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center (1998–2000)
First Union Arena at Casey Plaza (2000–2003)
Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza (2003–2010) Location 255 Highland Park Boulvevard
Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18703 Owner Luzerne County Convention Center Authority Address 255 Highland Park Blvd, Wilkes-Barre Township, PA 18702, USA Similar Mohegan Sun Pocono, FM Kirby Center, Mohegan Sun Arena, Giant Center, Seven Tubs Recreatio Profiles | ||
Mohegan sun arena at casey plaza topical 15 v3
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza (originally Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center, formerly First Union Arena at Casey Plaza and Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza) is an 8,050-seat multi-purpose arena located in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, just south of the city of Wilkes-Barre, managed by SMG.
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Gabriel iglesias coming to mohegan sun arena at casey plaza
History
Built in 1998 due to the instrumental work of Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey, Sr. and his successor, Tom Ridge, due to the dedication and support of State Representative Kevin Blaum, and built on land given by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber, the arena was originally named the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center. In 2000, the naming rights were sold to First Union Bank, becoming First Union Arena, until the summer of 2003, when First Union Bank merged into Wachovia, at which point it became Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. On January 20, 2010, the arena became Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, as part of a 10-year naming rights contract with the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs racetrack and casino.
It has been home to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, of the AHL since 1999, and the former home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, of the AF2 League. In January 2012 it was planned to be the home to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Shamrocks of the North American Lacrosse League, but the league had folded.
Recognition and events
The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza has been recognized by many entertainment magazines as one of the best in the country for arenas under 10,000 in capacity, especially for its attendance and ease of show setup and teardown. The Penguins hold the American Hockey League record for most sellouts in a season, selling out all 40 home games in 2002–2003 and 2003–2004, and ran a streak of 90 consecutive sellouts between March 2002 and October 2004, and 54 from December 2000 to February 2002.
Other than Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey games, other events that occur at the arena include circus performances, an annual Christmas-time Trans-Siberian Orchestra performance, professional ice-skating shows, Harlem Globetrotters, and the annual graduation ceremonies for nearby Crestwood High School, King's College, University of Scranton, Luzerne County Community College, and Marywood University.
The arena has regularly hosted professional wrestling since 2000. The first event was WCW Monday Nitro on January 31, 2000. The first WWE live event was on July 16, 2000 and headlined by The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle. The arena also hosted the 2007 WWE Draft on June 11, 2007 which was the final WWE Monday Night Raw appearance for the late Chris Benoit. On November 15, 2016, the arena hosted the 900th episode of WWE Smackdown which saw the return of The Undertaker.
Some notable concerts include Bob Dylan, The Dead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Elton John and The Eagles.
President George W. Bush spoke at the arena on October 22, 2004, during his campaign for re-election to the presidency of the United States.
Republican nominee Donald Trump had rallies at the arena on April 25, 2016 and also on October 9th, 2016, in his campaign for President.
On October 9, 2003, the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets played a preseason game at the arena.