Prudential Center

Prudential Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Newark, New Jersey, and is home to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and the Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team from Seton Hall University. The arena is owned by Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, a company founded by Josh Harris and David Blitzer, and is managed by Anschutz Entertainment Group. The Prudential Center has hosted numerous high-profile events, including concerts by Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, and Kanye West, as well as Mixed Martial Arts events by Ultimate Fighting Championship.

● History

The Prudential Center was opened on October 25, 2007, with a Bon Jovi concert, and has since become a premier venue for sports and entertainment in the New York metropolitan area. The arena was built on a site formerly occupied by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Newark Terminal, and was developed by Newark Downtown Core Redevelopment Corporation, a public-private partnership between the City of Newark and The Prudential Insurance Company of America. The Prudential Center has hosted several notable events, including the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012, when the New Jersey Devils faced off against the Los Angeles Kings, and the Big East Men's Basketball Tournament in 2011, which featured teams from Georgetown University, Villanova University, and University of Connecticut. The arena has also been used for Democratic National Convention events, including a speech by Barack Obama in 2008, and has hosted concerts by Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, and Lady Gaga.

● Design and Features

The Prudential Center was designed by HOK Sport (now Populous), a renowned architectural firm that has designed several other notable sports venues, including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and MetLife Stadium. The arena features a unique design, with a glass and steel exterior and a seating capacity of over 17,000 for hockey games and 18,500 for basketball games. The Prudential Center is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities, including a Jumbotron video scoreboard, a sound system designed by JBL Professional, and a concourse featuring a variety of dining and shopping options, including restaurants from Newark-based Tony Boloney's and Aunt Butchie's Desserts. The arena is also home to the New Jersey Devils' Hall of Fame, which features exhibits on the team's history and notable players, including Martin Brodeur, Scott Niedermayer, and Scott Stevens.

● Events and Tenants

The Prudential Center is home to several sports teams, including the New Jersey Devils and the Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team, which competes in the Big East Conference against teams from Butler University, Creighton University, and Xavier University. The arena has also hosted several high-profile events, including concerts by Justin Bieber, Rihanna, and The Black Keys, as well as Mixed Martial Arts events by Ultimate Fighting Championship, featuring fighters like Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, and Jon Jones. The Prudential Center has also been used for Esports events, including the League of Legends Championship Series and the Overwatch League, which feature teams from Cloud9, Team Liquid, and New York Excelsior. The arena has hosted several notable boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events, including a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kovalev, and a UFC event featuring a fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier.

● Location and Transportation

The Prudential Center is located in the Downtown Newark area, within walking distance of several major transportation hubs, including Newark Penn Station, which offers service on New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains, and Broad Street Station, which offers service on New Jersey Transit trains. The arena is also accessible by car, with several major highways, including Interstate 78 and New Jersey Route 21, nearby. The Prudential Center is situated near several notable landmarks, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the Newark Museum, and the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and is within a short drive of several major attractions, including the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Meadowlands Sports Complex.

● Amenities and Services

The Prudential Center offers a variety of amenities and services to visitors, including several dining options, including restaurants from Newark-based Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and Edison Ale House, as well as a concourse featuring a variety of shopping options, including stores from The NBA Store and Fanatics. The arena also features several premium seating areas, including suites and clubs, which offer upscale amenities and services, including catering from Aramark and parking options from ParkWhiz. The Prudential Center is also home to the New Jersey Devils' team store, which features a variety of team merchandise, including jerseys from Adidas and hats from New Era Cap Company. The arena offers several services to visitors, including Wi-Fi from Verizon Communications and ATM services from Bank of America. Category:Indoor arenas in the United States