Simmons Bank Arena

"Verizon Arena" redirects here. For similarly named buildings, see Verizon Center (disambiguation).
Simmons Bank Arena
As seen from across the Arkansas River, 2020
Map
Former namesAlltel Arena (1999–2009)
Verizon Arena (2009–2019)
Location
Public transit
  • Simmons Bank Arena Plaza (120 Main Street):
    • Heritage streetcarMetro Streetcar
        Blue Line
    • Bus interchange Rock Region Metro
      • 4 / Levy-Amboy
      • 10 / McCain Mall
  • Washington Ave & Olive St:
OwnerPulaski County Multi-Purpose Civic Center Facilities Board
OperatorPulaski County Multi-Purpose Civic Center Facilities Board
CapacityBasketball: 18,000
Hockey: 17,000
Arena Football:16,000
SurfaceMulti-surface
Construction
Broke groundAugust 22, 1997[1]
OpenedOctober 2, 1999[2]
Construction cost$80 million
($146 million in 2023 dollars[3])
ArchitectCivic Center Design Team (CCDT):
Burt Taggart & Associates, Architects/Engineers,
The Wilcox Group,
Garver & Garver Engineering and Rosser International of Atlanta
Structural engineerGeiger Engineers PC
General contractorTurner/Vratsinas[4]
Tenants
Arkansas–Little Rock Trojans (NCAA) (1999–2005)
Arkansas RiverBlades (ECHL) (1999–2003)
Arkansas Twisters (AF2) (2000–2009)
Arkansas RimRockers (ABA/NBA D-League) (2004–2007)
Website
simmonsbankarena.com

Simmons Bank Arena (previously Verizon Arena and Alltel Arena) is an 18,000-seat multi-purpose arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, directly across the Arkansas River from downtown Little Rock. Opened in October 1999, it is the main entertainment venue serving Central Arkansas.

The Little Rock Trojans, representing the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in NCAA Division I sports, played home basketball games at the arena from the time the arena opened until the team moved in 2005 to a new arena, the Jack Stephens Center, on the school's campus in Little Rock. The Arkansas RiverBlades, a defunct ice hockey team of the ECHL; the Arkansas RimRockers, a defunct minor league basketball team of the NBA Development League; and the Arkansas Twisters, a defunct af2 team, also played at the arena. The arena is also used for concerts, rodeos, auto racing, professional wrestling, and trade shows and conventions.

  1. ^ Pierce, Ray (August 3, 1997). "Vote Gave a Penny Tax for a River Dream Pulaski County Supports Vision of Future of Downtown on LR, NLR Waterfronts". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  2. ^ McGuire, Kim (October 2, 1999). "$80 Million Alltel Arena Opens Today". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Pierce, Ray (October 8, 1996). "Arena Board Settles on Lineup to Plan, Build, Manage Center". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved July 3, 2012.