VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena

VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (originally Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena) is a multi-purpose arena located in Jacksonville, Florida.

About
It was built in 2003 as part of the Better Jacksonville Plan to replace the outdated coliseum.

In February 2019, many news outlet reported a potential sponsorship for the arena in the coming months. VyStar Credit Union and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association were the potential sponsors. On March 12, 2019, a 19-0 vote led to VyStar Credit Union becoming a sponsor for the arena. The 15-year agreement includes an annual contribution to the veterans trust fund along with upkeep of the arena. Despite a city ordinance for no corporate sponsorship for any venue within city limits, it is the third venue in Duval County to have a corporate sponsor.

Naming history

 * Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena (November 28, 2003&mdash;March 13, 2019)
 * VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (March 14, 2019&mdash;present)

Events
The arena was designed, using state-of-the-art techniques, to have the acoustical characteristics necessary for concerts. The first artist to hold a concert in the Arena was Elton John in November 2003. Since that time, dozens of groups, including country, rap, rock, and others, have performed at the arena.

In 2006, a scheduled Dixie Chicks concert was cancelled, due to lack of ticket sales, which was seen as part of the general backlash against the group's comments on the Iraq War.

Sporting events hosted include the 2004 USA Men's Olympic basketball team in their only game played in the United States, as well as some early round games of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2019.

On October 17, 2006 an episode of ECW on Sci-Fi was held in the arena. In 2007, WWE held the Pay-Pay view event One Night Stand (2007) in the arena and as of 2017 it has been their first and only major event to be held in the arena. However, a WWE Raw episode was held on August 6, 2018.

The arena found huge success when the arena became the home of the Jacksonville Sharks in 2010 when they were introduced as an expansion team of the Arena Football League. The team was founded by former Orlando Predators executive Jeff Bouchy who is also the brother of former Orlando Predators owner Brett Bouchy. The Sharks have recently generated the highest attendance for a tenant in the arena's history.

It was the host for the Davis Cup first round tie between the US and Brazil on the weekend of February 1–3, 2013. It has also hosted PBR Built Ford Tough Series events in the past.

In 2016, Rihanna opened her Anti World Tour here. The event had an audience of 11,000 people.

Céline Dion will kick off the 2020 leg of her Courage World Tour here on January 8. It will be her first performance in Jacksonville.

Tenants
Currently, the arena is home to the Jacksonville Sharks of the National Arena League, the Jacksonville Giants of the American Basketball Association, and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL. It also hosted the 2011 ABA All-Star Game, which took place on February 26, 2011.

The arena was home to the Jacksonville Barracudas ice hockey team from 2003 to 2007 until they relocated to a smaller hockey arena in the area. In 2012, it was home to the Jacksonville Bullies of the Professional Lacrosse League. In 2013 and 2014, it was also home to the Jacksonville Breeze of the Legends Football League.

In addition to its athletic tenants, the arena is also host to the annual graduation ceremonies of the area high schools.

Noted performers

 * Eric Clapton
 * Kanye West
 * Usher
 * John Legend
 * Faith Hill
 * Tim McGraw
 * Kenny Chesney
 * Janet Jackson
 * Cher
 * Britney Spears
 * The Black Eyed Peas
 * Phish
 * Aerosmith
 * Rush
 * The Who
 * Keyshia Cole
 * R. Kelly
 * Eric Church
 * Eagles
 * Rihanna
 * Dave Matthews Band
 * Pearl Jam
 * Red Hot Chili Peppers
 * Stevie Nicks
 * Korn
 * Justin Bieber
 * Miranda Lambert
 * Shania Twain
 * Def Leppard
 * John Mayer
 * Maroon 5
 * Journey
 * Taylor Swift
 * Nickelback
 * AC/DC
 * Lynyrd Skynyrd
 * Van Halen
 * Fall Out Boy
 * Green Day
 * Fleetwood Mac
 * Matchbox Twenty
 * Prince
 * Hall & Oates
 * Kid Rock
 * Garth Brooks
 * Breaking Benjamin
 * Paul McCartney
 * Brooks & Dunn
 * Jimmy Buffett
 * Elton John
 * The Trio
 * 5 Seconds of Summer
 * Mötley Crüe
 * Alice Cooper