Verizon Wireless Arena

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Verizon Wireless Arena | nickname = "The Verizon"


location = 555 Elm Street
Manchester, NH 03101
broke_ground = April 2000
opened = November 15, 2001
closed =
demolished =
owner =
operator = SMG
surface =
construction_cost=
architect =
former_names = Civic Arena (during construction)| tenants = Manchester Monarchs (AHL) (2001-present)
Manchester Wolves (af2) (2002-present)
seating_capacity = 9,932 (hockey)
11,140 (basketball)
10,050-11,770 (concerts)The Verizon Wireless Arena is an indoor events arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, and seats over 10,000 for hockey and over 11,000 for basketball and concerts. It is home to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League and the Manchester Wolves of af2. The University of New Hampshire and Dartmouth College men's hockey teams also play some of their home games there, usually against each other and regional rivals. The Verizon has hosted the 2005 AHL All-Star Game as well as WWE Backlash 2005 and the 2006 NCAA Frozen Four Regional tournament.

Both the Boston Celtics of the NBA and the Boston Bruins of the NHL regularly play preseason games at the arena.

In December, 2007, Sen. Barack Obama and Oprah Winfrey appeared at a campaign rally at the Verizon Wireless Arena, drawing over 8,000 people to one of the largest political events in New Hampshire history.

State high school basketball championships have been held in the arena, and the FIRST Robotics Competition holds its main regional competition, the BAE Systems Granite State Regional, in the arena every year.

Verizon Wireless paid for the arena's naming rights. The facility was originally known simply as the Civic Arena, and this name still appears on most of the directional signs around town.

Photo gallery

External links

* [http://www.verizonwirelessarena.com/ Official website]