2016

Times Union Center – Albany, NY

Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.

Fun Facts

  • Times Union Center was a proud host of the NCAA Frozen Four in 2001
  • The NCAA Hockey East Regional returned in 2000 and college hockey’s National Championship took place in 2001
  • On April 24th, 2008 the longest hockey game in the 72 year history of AHL Hockey took place at Times Union Center. The marathon lasted 5 hours, 38 minutes & 36 seconds as the Philadelphia Phantoms outlasted the Albany River Rats 3 – 2. In the process, River Rats goaltender Michael Leighton set a modern day record by making an astounding 98 saves!
  • It takes 8,000 gallons of water to create a 3/4-inch-thick layer of ice used for the hockey playing surface
  • The center hung scoreboard weighs 8-1/2 tons, which is equal to the size of three adult circus elephants
  • The Albany River Rats won the Calder Cup in 1995