PeoplesBank Arena

PeoplesBank Arena
The PeoplesBank Arena logo.
The PeoplesBank Arena with empty seats with the ice configuration
PeoplesBank Arena
Location within Connecticut
PeoplesBank Arena
Location within the United States
Former namesHartford Civic Center (1975–2007)
XL Center (2007–2025)
Address1 Civic Center Plaza
LocationHartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Coordinates41°46′06″N 72°40′37″W / 41.76833°N 72.67694°W / 41.76833; -72.67694
Public transit Hartford
38, 60, 62, 64, 66, 72, 74, 76, Dash
OwnerCity of Hartford
OperatorOak View Group
CapacityConcerts: 20,500
Basketball: 15,684
Ice hockey: 14,750 (9,801 with curtain system)
Surface200 ft × 85 ft (61 m × 26 m) (hockey)
Construction
Broke groundApril 2, 1971
OpenedJanuary 9, 1975
Closed1978–1980 (roof collapse, renovations), Q2 2025 (renovations)
Construction costoriginally $30 million
($175 million in 2024 dollars)
ArchitectKling & Associates
Danos and Associates
Project managerGilbane Building Company
Structural engineerFraoli, Blum, and Yesselman, Engineers
General contractorWilliam 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
peoplesbankarena.com

The PeoplesBank Arena, (originally known as the Hartford Civic Center and formerly as the XL 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 OVG. 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. 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. This agreement was extended and lasted until 2025 when the arena was renamed as part of an agreement with PeoplesBank.

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. The agreement also stated that Northland would assume total responsibility for the building bearing the cost of any and all losses, and would retain 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.