Value City Arena

Value City Arena is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, which competes in the Big Ten Conference against teams like the Michigan Wolverines men's basketball and Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball. The arena is also used for concerts, conventions, and other events, hosting performers like Taylor Swift, Kanye West, and Lady Gaga. Value City Arena has a seating capacity of 19,200 and has been the site of numerous high-profile events, including the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship and concerts by The Rolling Stones, U2, and Bruce Springsteen.

● History

Value City Arena was opened in 1998 and was built at a cost of $34.5 million, with funding provided by Ohio State University and private donors like Les Wexner, the founder of L Brands. The arena was designed to replace the old St. John Arena, which was the previous home of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, and has since become a popular venue for events like the Columbus Blue Jackets preseason games and concerts by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and Rihanna. The arena has undergone several renovations since its opening, including the installation of a new scoreboard and sound system, and has hosted events like the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship, featuring teams like the Connecticut Huskies women's basketball and Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball.

● Design and Features

Value City Arena was designed by architectural firm 360 Architecture, which has also designed other notable venues like the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri, and the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. The arena features a unique design with a seating capacity of 19,200, and includes amenities like a Huntington Bank ATM, a Pepsi concession stand, and a Buckeye Corner store, which sells Ohio State University merchandise, including Nike apparel and Under Armour gear. The arena also features a state-of-the-art sound system and a video scoreboard, which was installed by Daktronics, a company that has also provided equipment to venues like the Madison Square Garden in New York City and the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

● Events and Tenants

Value City Arena is home to the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, which has won several Big Ten Conference championships and has appeared in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship numerous times, competing against teams like the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball and North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball. The arena has also hosted other events like concerts by The Black Keys, The Killers, and Maroon 5, as well as conventions and trade shows, including the Ohio State Fair and the Columbus Auto Show. The arena has also been used for events like the Cirque du Soleil and the Disney on Ice show, featuring characters from Disney and Pixar movies like Frozen and The Incredibles.

● Seating and Facilities

Value City Arena has a seating capacity of 19,200, with seating options ranging from lower-level seats near the court to upper-level seats with a view of the entire arena, similar to other venues like the Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland, and the Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan. The arena also features several amenities, including a Buckeye Corner store, which sells Ohio State University merchandise, and several concession stands, which offer a variety of food and drink options, including Papa John's pizza and Domino's Pizza. The arena also has several suites and club seats, which offer a more premium experience for events, similar to those found at venues like the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

● Location and Accessibility

Value City Arena is located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, near other venues like the Ohio Stadium and the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium. The arena is accessible by car, with several parking options available, including the Ohio State University parking garage, and by public transportation, with several Central Ohio Transit Authority bus routes stopping near the arena, including the COTA bus route that connects to the Port Columbus International Airport. The arena is also within walking distance of several hotels, including the Hilton Columbus and the Hyatt Regency Columbus, and several restaurants, including the The Ohio State University-owned University Dining Services and the Columbus-based Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Category:Indoor arenas in the United States