Value City Arena

Value City Arena
JonRidinger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Value City Arena
Fullname	Jerome Schottenstein Center
Location	Columbus, Ohio
Broke ground	1996
Opened	1998
Owner	Ohio State University
Operator	Ohio State University
Capacity	19,500
Tenants	Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball; Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball; Ohio State Buckeyes ice hockey (occasional)

Value City Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Opened in 1998 as the Jerome Schottenstein Center, the venue serves as the primary home for Ohio State Buckeyes and Ohio State women's basketball, and hosts concerts, conventions, and sporting events. The arena is notable for its large seating capacity, modern amenities, and role in regional cultural events involving performers such as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and touring productions like Disney on Ice.

History

Construction of the arena began in 1996 after proposals involving the Ohio General Assembly and campus planning from Ohio State University Board of Trustees. The facility replaced older campus venues used by the Ohio State Buckeyes and was funded through a combination of private donations—most notably from the Schottenstein family linked to Schottenstein Stores Corporation—and university financing overseen by firms such as Ernst & Young and local banks in Franklin County, Ohio. The inaugural season coincided with coaching changes in the Big Ten Conference and the arena quickly became a site for conference tournaments and pre-season exhibitions hosted by organizations like the NCAA and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Throughout the 2000s, the arena has hosted politically significant events including campaign rallies featuring figures from the Democratic Party and Republican Party, commencement ceremonies for Ohio State University colleges, and cultural residencies involving touring promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents. The venue also served as a neutral site for regional high school championships organized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

Architecture and Facilities

Designed by architectural firms collaborating with campus planners from Ohio State University, the arena features a bowl seating arrangement, luxury suites, and multi-level concourses. Structural engineering consultants included regional practices that previously worked on facilities like Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio and partnered with contractors who built venues such as Madison Square Garden and United Center. The arena’s roof and facilities integrate systems for acoustics favored by touring acts including Paul McCartney and classical orchestras like the Cleveland Orchestra when performing at large venues.

Public amenities include premium club seating, private suites named for donors associated with entities such as Schottenstein Stores Corporation and regional philanthropists, concession areas with regional food vendors, and locker room complexes used by teams from the Big Ten Conference. Backstage facilities support Broadway-bound shows produced by organizations including Nederlander Organization and touring family entertainment from producers like Cirque du Soleil.

Events and Tenants

Primary tenants include the Ohio State Buckeyes men and women. The arena has hosted postseason tournaments for the Big Ten Conference and NCAA tournament rounds sanctioned by the NCAA Tournament. Concerts have featured headline artists such as Metallica, U2, Ed Sheeran, Madonna, Kanye West, and Adele. Family and specialty events have included productions by Disney on Ice, touring circuses and boxing cards promoted by firms like Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions.

The venue has accommodated civic events including graduation ceremonies for colleges within Ohio State University, speeches by dignitaries connected to institutions such as The White House and appearances by Nobel laureates associated with universities like Harvard University and Stanford University. Professional sports exhibitions involving teams from the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League have occasionally used the floor for preseason games and special events.

Attendance and Records

With a seating capacity around 19,500 for basketball, the arena routinely ranks among the largest college basketball facilities in the Big Ten Conference and the United States. Single-game attendance records were set during rivalry matchups with teams like the Michigan Wolverines and marquee nonconference games against programs such as the Duke Blue Devils and Kentucky Wildcats. Concert attendance peaks occurred during tours by acts like Garth Brooks and Bruce Springsteen, with ticketing handled through outlets affiliated with Ticketmaster and secondary markets monitored by companies like StubHub.

The arena’s attendance statistics have been cited in reports by sports media outlets including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and local newspapers such as the The Columbus Dispatch, reflecting its impact on regional ticket sales, hospitality, and convention activity tied to the Convention Center and downtown Columbus, Ohio economy.

Renovations and Upgrades

Since opening, the arena has undergone periodic upgrades to seating, video boards, and concourse amenities in collaboration with technology firms like Daktronics and hospitality partners aligned with nationwide brands such as Aramark. Renovation projects addressed ADA accessibility standards influenced by federal statutes and coordination with campus offices at Ohio State University to improve sightlines, acoustic treatments, and player facilities used by Ohio State Buckeyes programs.

Major upgrades included installation of new scoreboards and LED ribbon displays similar to enhancements seen at venues like Barclays Center and Staples Center; refurbishment of premium suites to meet corporate partner expectations; and improvements to loading docks and staging areas to accommodate productions promoted by Live Nation. Parking and transportation improvements connected to the arena were coordinated with city planning departments in Columbus, Ohio and regional transit agencies.

Category:Sports venues in Ohio