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The Van Andel Arena is a 10,834-seat multi-purpose arena situated in the Heartside district of Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a $75 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996 and since has attracted over five million patrons. It is home to the popular Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey team. It was also the home court of the now defunct Grand Rapids Hoops basketball team, as well as the Grand Rapids Rampage, the city's arena football team. As a concert venue, the Van Andel Arena seats about 12,858 for end-stage shows, and 13,184 for center-stage shows. The arena floor measures 85 feet-by-220 feet. The arena features 9,886 permanent seats and 44 luxury suites, with the 16 luxury suites in the upper bowl seating 20, and the lower 24 bowls seating 15, and the others at 18. There are approximately 1,298 retractable seats at Van Andel Arena.
[edit] About Van Andel ArenaThe original estimated cost to build the arena was at $75 million. The 12,000-seat arena is managed by SMG Property Management. The arena was named in recognition of the largest benefactor, Jay and Betty Van Andel. Acts such as Neil Diamond, Disney on Ice, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL ArenaBowl XV game, Detroit Pistons and Michigan State University Basketball exhibition games, and Elton John have demonstrated the Arena's versatility. Other event highlights include Phil Collins, Metallica, Janet Jackson, World Wrestling Entertainment, Eric Clapton, Journey, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Man Group, Green Day, Aerosmith, Michael Bublé, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Who, The Eagles, Bob Seger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Harlem Globetrotters, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Rush, Cirque du Soleil and Miley Cyrus. [edit] Significant eventsAccording to the Grand Rapids Press, Van Andel Arena hosted an estimated 12,000 people "in what may have been the biggest free-admission event ever held in the arena," when Barack Obama held a campaign event there on May 14, 2008.[1] At the rally, John Edwards publicly endorsed Obama's campaign for the first time. [2] Heavy metal band Motley Crue also recorded a live DVD in the arena. AC/DC gave a concert on August 1, 2000 opening their Stiff Upper Lip Tour. The Professional Bull Riders hosted their premier bull riding tour, the Built Ford Tough Series (known as the Bud Light Cup until 2002), each year from 2000 until 2008; its inaugural event in 2000 was noteworthy for being the first ever BFTS tour event where all 15 bull riders were bucked off in the short-go round. [edit] Grand River PromenadeThe Grand River Promenade, the official name for the skyway, connects the DeVos Place Convention Center and the Van Andel Arena. [edit] External links[edit] References
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