Home to: AHL hockey team Grand Rapids Griffins, G-Leage Grand Rapids Gold & Grand Rapids Rise. Van Andel Arena® — the Must Play Destination of Michigan's second largest and fastest-growing market — has thrust Grand Rapids into the forefront of the entertainment industry. The 12,000 plus capacity Van Andel Arena was named in recognition of the largest benefactor, Jay and Betty Van Andel. Van Andel Arena and Grand Rapids offer the perfect combination of cosmopolitan flair and midwestern hospitality to make any event a success. Since marking its Grand Entrance on October 8, 1996, Van Andel Arena has attracted the biggest names in family shows, concerts and sporting events. Acts such as Neil Diamond, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, Snoop Dogg, Lauren Daigle, NCAA Hockey Regional Championships, the AFL Arena Bowl XV game, Detroit Pistons exhibition games, Metallica, Kanye West and Elton John have demonstrated the Arena’s versatility. Other event highlights include Kenny Chesney, World Wrestling Entertainment, Eric Clapton, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Man Group, Michael Bublé, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, The Who, The Eagles, Bob Seger, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Monster Jam, Garth Brooks, Ariana Grande, Ludacris, Kid Rock, Taylor Swift and Cirque du Soleil. Below are some of the most memorable moments from the past few years:
•In March 2020 Van Andel Arena was nominated for Venue of the Year at the 55th Academy Of Country Music Awards (CMA's).
•In 2020, the CAA partnered with Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. on a newly renovated Van Andel Arena plaza to create public seating areas, incorporate trees and planters to green the plaza, and enhance the safety of patrons and pedestrians.
•Backstage renovations were completed in early 2020 to enhance the experience of the Grand Rapids Griffins hockey team and touring productions such as major concert tours and family shows. These improvements included updates to the locker rooms and dressing rooms, and the creation of the West Lounge, a modern banquet space.
•Billboard lists Van Andel Arena as the #2 venue in North America ( #7 worldwide) for all venues with a capacity range of 10,001-15,000 in 2019.
•Home of the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. The Grand Rapids Griffins franchise won the AHL's Calder Cup in 2013 and won its second Calder Cup in 2017.
•Named as a "Game Changer" in 2010 by the Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance in the inaugural year of the Downtown Awards. The Alliance created the awards to celebrate the individuals and businesses making investments downtown.
•Voted Top Live Performance Venue in 2010 and Best Event Facility in 2009 and 2008 by the Grand Rapids Press and MLive.com readers.
•The $1.2 million concourse expansion project provides an additional 3,500 square feet of concourse space starting in the fall of 2010. The new area has been named “Amway Section A” and features two new concession stands and a fun view of the downtown area from spacious windows on the west side of the arena.
•Debuted the state-of-the-art LED Ribbonboard encircling the bowl of the arena on the facade of the upper deck at the Griffins season opener on October 8, 2010 for fan enhancement.
•Played host to an amazing 5 million patrons before its fifth year of operation, consistently boosting the local economy.
•Broke the attendance record for NCAA Hockey Regionals with the 2001 NCAA Men's Hockey West Regional Tournament. The facility successfully hosted the 1997, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2009 NCAA Men’s Hockey Regional Tournaments. Van Andel Arena opened in 1996 with great anticipation from the West Michigan community. We strive to bring diverse entertainment to our community so that everyone will be able to enjoy this wonderful venue for many years to come!
