XL Center
The XL Center (originally known as the Hartford Civic Center) is a multi-purpose arena and convention center located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Owned by the City of Hartford, it is managed by the quasi-public Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) under a lease with the city and operated by Spectra. In December 2007, the center was renamed when the arena's naming rights were sold to XL Group insurance company in a six-year agreement. The arena is ranked the 28th largest among college basketball arenas. It opened in 1975 as the Hartford Civic Center and was originally located adjacent to Civic Center Mall, which was demolished in 2004. It consists of two facilities: the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and the Exhibition Center.
XL Center logo | |
XL Center in 2022 | |
XL Center Location within Connecticut XL Center Location within the United States | |
| Former names | Hartford Civic Center (1975–2007) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Civic Center Plaza Hartford, Connecticut Hartford County |
| Location | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Coordinates | 41°46′06″N 72°40′37″W |
| Public transit | Hartford 38, 60, 62, 64, 66, 72, 74, 76, Dash |
| Owner | City of Hartford |
| Operator | Oak View Group |
| Capacity | Concerts: 20,500 Basketball: 15,684 Ice hockey: 14,750 (9,801 with curtain system) |
| Surface | 200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) (hockey) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 2, 1971 |
| Opened | January 9, 1975 |
| Closed | 1978–1980 (roof collapse, renovations) |
| Construction cost | $30 million ($163 million in 2022 dollars) |
| Architect | Kling & Associates Danos and Associates |
| Project manager | Gilbane Building Company |
| Structural engineer | Fraoli, Blum, and Yesselman, Engineers |
| General contractor | William L. Crow Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) (1997–present) UConn Huskies (NCAA) Men's basketball (1975–present) Women's basketball (1975–present) Men's ice hockey (2014–present) New England / Hartford Whalers (WHA / NHL) (1975–1997) Boston Celtics (NBA) (1975–1995) Hartford Hellions (MISL) (1980–1981) Connecticut Coyotes (AFL) (1995–1996) New England Blizzard (ABL) (1996–1998) Connecticut Pride (CBA) (1993–2000) New England Sea Wolves (AFL) (1999–2000) | |
| Website | |
| Official Website | |
On March 21, 2007, the CRDA selected the Northland/Anschutz Entertainment Group proposal to operate the arena complex; Northland also developed the Hartford 21 residential tower on the adjacent Civic Center Mall site. It was revealed that Northland will assume total responsibility for the building paying for any and all losses, and will keep any profits. In 2012, the CRDA put the contract out to bid with hopes of combining the operations with Rentschler Field. In February 2013, Global Spectrum of Philadelphia was chosen to take over both the XL Center and Rentschler Field with Ovations Food Services taking over all food and beverage operations.