TaxSlayer Center

TaxSlayer Center. It is a multi-purpose arena located in Moline, Illinois, part of the Quad Cities metropolitan area along the Mississippi River. Opened in 1993, it serves as a major entertainment and sports venue for the region, hosting events ranging from professional hockey and indoor football to major concert tours and family shows. The facility is owned by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County and is currently operated by the Oak View Group.

History

The arena's development was spearheaded by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County in the early 1990s to provide a modern venue for the Quad Cities. Construction began in 1991, and the facility opened in 1993 as The MARK of the Quad Cities. Its creation was a catalyst for development in the Moline riverfront district, complementing nearby attractions like the John Deere Pavilion. A significant renovation in 2007, which included the addition of a Daktronics video scoreboard and suite upgrades, coincided with a brief naming change to i-MAX Arena. Further updates in 2017 enhanced concourse areas and concession stands, ensuring the venue remained competitive with other mid-sized markets like Peoria and Des Moines.

Facilities and features

The main arena bowl features a versatile seating configuration capable of accommodating over 11,000 attendees for concerts, with permanent seating for approximately 9,200 for basketball and 8,900 for hockey. The venue includes 22 luxury suites, a club lounge, and multiple party suites. A distinctive feature is the 5,200-square-foot exhibition hall, which hosts trade shows, banquets, and community events. The facility is equipped with a modern Bose sound system and a center-hung high-definition video board. Its location is adjacent to the Quad City International Airport and is integrated into the Metrolink public transit system, with ample parking available.

Events

It has been the primary home for several professional sports franchises, most notably serving as the long-time arena for the Quad City Mallards of various hockey leagues including the United Hockey League and ECHL, and later for the Quad City Storm of the Southern Professional Hockey League. It also hosted the Quad City Steamwheelers of arena football and the Quad City Raiders of indoor soccer. The venue regularly attracts major touring musical acts across genres, having presented concerts by Elton John, Bob Seger, Carrie Underwood, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It is a frequent site for Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, and the Harlem Globetrotters, alongside hosting graduation ceremonies for local schools like Moline High School and United Township High School.

Naming history

The venue originally operated for 14 years under the name The MARK of the Quad Cities. In 2007, following a renovation, it was briefly renamed i-MAX Arena under a short-term sponsorship agreement. Later that same year, TaxSlayer, a national provider of tax preparation software based in Augusta, Georgia, secured the naming rights. The current naming rights agreement, which has been renewed multiple times, represents one of the longest-standing corporate sponsorships for a venue in the region, similar to long-term deals seen at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Management and operations

Ownership has always been held by the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County, a governmental entity. Day-to-day management and booking have been handled by several private firms over the years. Initially managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast Spectacor, oversight later transitioned to SMG. In 2021, management was assumed by the Oak View Group, a global venue development and management company co-founded by Tim Leiweke. The arena's operations are a significant economic driver for the Quad Cities, with events generating substantial activity for local hotels, restaurants, and the Tax Increment Financing district in downtown Moline. Category:Arenas in Illinois Category:Music venues in Illinois Category:Sports venues in Illinois Category:Buildings and structures in Moline, Illinois Category:1993 establishments in Illinois