Save Mart Center

Save Mart Center
Name	Save Mart Center
Location	Fresno, California
Opened	2003
Capacity	15,596
Owner	City of Fresno
Operator	ASM Global
Architect	Sink Combs Dethlefs

Save Mart Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Fresno, California, on the campus adjacent to California State University, Fresno and near downtown Fresno. The venue opened in 2003 and hosts college basketball, ice hockey, concerts, and special events, serving as a regional hub for cultural, athletic, and entertainment activities. The arena has been a site for touring productions, collegiate tournaments, and community gatherings, drawing attendees from the San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley, and surrounding regions.

History

Construction of the arena followed negotiations between the City of Fresno, Fresno State athletics, and private partners, culminating in a groundbreaking that involved municipal planning offices and local developers. The venue's opening in 2003 featured events tied to Pacific Coast League and college schedules, and it quickly became home to the Fresno State Bulldogs and a site for concert tours by artists who had previously played at venues like Staples Center and Oracle Arena. Over the years the arena hosted events connected to organizations such as the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, WWE, and touring companies from the Broadway theatre circuit, while partnerships with sponsors from the grocery retail industry influenced naming rights agreements.

Architecture and Design

Designed by the firm Sink Combs Dethlefs in collaboration with structural engineers and acoustical consultants, the arena's design balances sightlines for NCAA competition and production requirements for large-scale concert presentations. The bowl configuration, rigging points, and loading docks were specified to accommodate productions comparable to those staging at Madison Square Garden and Toyota Center, while the façade and materials referenced regional architectural influences found in municipal projects across California State University campuses. Mechanical systems and HVAC installations were coordinated with consultants experienced on projects like University of Phoenix Stadium and retrofit practices influenced by building codes from the California Building Standards Commission.

Events and Tenants

Primary tenants have included the Fresno State Bulldogs and various collegiate programs from the Mountain West Conference and earlier affiliations with the Western Athletic Conference. The arena has hosted touring acts ranging from legacy performers who have appeared at The Forum to contemporary pop stars that have also performed at KeyArena; it has also been used for boxing cards sanctioned by organizations like the California State Athletic Commission. Family shows and exhibitions have included residencies by touring productions affiliated with companies such as Cirque du Soleil and national conventions for groups associated with the NAIA and industry trade shows.

Facilities and Amenities

The arena features a main seating bowl with configurable floor seating, luxury suites similar to those at venues like Alamodome and club-level hospitality spaces resembling offerings at Chase Center. Backstage facilities include dressing rooms, production offices, and freight elevators rated for heavy equipment comparable to touring requirements used at Hollywood Bowl. Concession operations and retail outlets on-site have been managed in partnership with regional vendors and national service providers familiar with servicing crowds at venues including Honda Center and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum-adjacent facilities.

Attendance and Records

Capacity configurations allow for maximum attendance figures in the range of other mid-size arenas such as Sleep Train Arena and Honda Center. The venue has recorded sellout concerts with attendance figures rivaling regional highs and has set single-game attendance marks for marquee matchups featuring Fresno State vs. conference rivals. Special events, including boxing main events and touring residencies, have also produced attendance peaks that were noted in regional reporting by media outlets covering The Fresno Bee and statewide sports coverage outlets.

Economic and Community Impact

The arena has contributed to downtown Fresno revitalization efforts alongside projects promoted by the City of Fresno and regional development agencies. It has generated economic activity for hotels affiliated with brands like Hilton Worldwide and Marriott International, restaurants frequented by visitors arriving via Fresno Yosemite International Airport, and retail corridors near Van Ness Avenue. Community outreach programs have included youth clinics linked to Fresno State Bulldogs athletics and charity events hosted in partnership with local nonprofits and statewide organizations such as those affiliated with United Way chapters and civic clubs.

Transportation and Access

Access to the arena is provided by arterial routes connecting to California State Route 99, and public transit options include services operated by Fresno Area Express. Event parking is coordinated across campus lots and municipal garages used for large gatherings similar to traffic plans employed at venues near Sacramento State University and University of California, Davis. The proximity to Fresno Yosemite International Airport allows for travel by charter and commercial flights for touring productions and visiting teams, while regional rail and bus connections through Amtrak and intercity carriers serve attendees from the broader San Joaquin Valley.

Category:Sports venues in Fresno, California Category:Indoor arenas in California