Edward Jones Arena

Edward Jones Arena
Name	Edward Jones Arena
Nickname	"The Arena"
Full name	Edward Jones Dome (note: arena within complex)
Location	St. Louis, Missouri
Owner	City of St. Louis
Operator	St. Louis Blues operator arrangements
Capacity	18,000–19,000 (basketball/concert)
Opened	1994
Architects	Populous
Cost	$160 million

Edward Jones Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri. The venue serves as a principal site for professional sports franchises, collegiate basketball events, touring music acts, and large-scale conventions associated with organizations such as the National Basketball Association, National Collegiate Athletic Association, and major touring promoters. It is situated near landmarks including Busch Stadium, Citygarden, and the Gateway Arch National Park.

History

The arena opened in 1994 amid a wave of new arenas constructed during the 1990s alongside projects in Cleveland, Denver, San Antonio, and Phoenix. Its development involved municipal leaders from Mayor Vincent C. Schoemehl Jr.'s administration, financial partners such as Edward Jones Investments, and architectural firms including Populous and local consultants. Early years featured tenant negotiations with franchises like the St. Louis Blues and aspirations to attract events from the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, and World Wrestling Entertainment. The facility quickly hosted major events including conference tournaments for the Big East Conference, NCAA men's basketball tournaments, and touring productions by promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents.

Architecture and facilities

Designed by Populous, the arena incorporates a steel roof truss system influenced by contemporary venues including Madison Square Garden renovations and the United Center. The bowl configuration supports adjustable seating modeled after spectrum-style arrangements, with luxury suites named for regional institutions like Boeing and Anheuser-Busch. Support facilities include locker rooms used by teams from Saint Louis University and temporary setups for visiting franchises from the NBA and NHL. Concourse concessions historically partnered with local vendors such as Schlafly and national brands like PepsiCo and Aramark. The venue also houses broadcast infrastructure used by networks including ESPN, CBS Sports, Fox Sports Midwest, and NBC Sports.

Tenants and events

Primary tenants have included the professional franchise St. Louis Blues (during NHL scheduling alignments), the NBA-affiliated St. Louis Bombers era proposals, and NCAA programs such as Saint Louis Billikens men's basketball. The arena has hosted conference tournaments for the Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, and Atlantic 10 Conference. It has also been the site for entertainment residencies promoted by companies including Live Nation and touring legs of artists signed to labels such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group.

Notable concerts and performances

Artists and ensembles that have performed at the arena include legacy acts like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, and The Rolling Stones; pop and R&B stars such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Adele; rock and metal performers including Metallica, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters; and orchestral or special events featuring groups like the Cirque du Soleil touring productions and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Major residencies and milestone tour stops for artists represented by promoters like Live Nation and AEG Presents have made the arena a regional concert hub alongside venues such as Scottrade Center and Chaifetz Arena.

Sporting events and tournaments

The arena has hosted rounds of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, championship games for the Atlantic 10 Conference and exhibition matches for USA Basketball programs. It has also accommodated professional boxing cards featuring fighters promoted by Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions, mixed martial arts events from UFC and regional promoters, and indoor soccer exhibitions with teams from Major Arena Soccer League. College showcases featuring teams from Duke University, University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Kansas have drawn national television coverage from ESPN. Additionally, the arena has staged gymnastics and figure skating competitions sanctioned by USA Gymnastics and U.S. Figure Skating.

Renovations and upgrades

Since opening, upgrades have included seating reconfigurations, scoreboard and ribbon-board replacements with LED systems supplied by firms akin to Daktronics, and hospitality enhancements developed in coordination with concession partners such as Aramark and local craft brands. Technology overhauls improved Wi‑Fi capacity to meet broadcaster and promoter requirements from networks like ESPN and streaming partners affiliated with Amazon Prime Video and Peacock (streaming service). Periodic infrastructure work coordinated with municipal agencies like the City of St. Louis targeted accessibility improvements compliant with ADA standards and modernized mechanical systems by regional contractors.

Transportation and access

The arena is accessible via major corridors including Interstate 64 and Interstate 55, with nearby transit nodes served by MetroLink stations, bus routes operated by Metro Transit, and surface parking managed in conjunction with the St. Louis Development Corporation. Pedestrian connections link the site to tourist destinations such as the Gateway Arch National Park and entertainment districts centered on Market Street and Laclede's Landing. Regional airports servicing event attendees include Lambert–St. Louis International Airport and nearby general aviation facilities.

Category:Sports venues in St. Louis Category:Music venues in Missouri