MVP Arena

MVP Arena
	The arena in 2011
	MVP Arena Location within New York State MVP Arena Location within the United States
Former names	Knickerbocker Arena (1990–1997); Pepsi Arena (1997–2007); Times Union Center (2007-2021)
Address	51 South Pearl Street
Location	Albany, New York, U.S.
Coordinates	42°38′55″N 73°45′17″W / 42.64861°N 73.75472°W
Owner	Albany County
Operator	ASM Global
Capacity	15,357 (concerts); 15,229 (basketball); 14,236 (hockey); 13,785 (arena football); 17,500 (max)
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground	February 5, 1987
Opened	January 30, 1990
Construction cost	$69.4 million, $1.6 million (2010 renovation)
Architect	Crozier Associates
Structural engineer	Clough Harbour & Associates
General contractor	Beltrone/MLB
Tenants
	Albany Firebirds (AFL) (1990–2000); New York Kick (NPSL) (1990–1991); Albany Choppers (IHL) (1990–1991); Albany Patroons (CBA) (1990–1992); Siena Saints (NCAA) (1990–present); Albany River Rats (AHL) (1993–2010); Albany Attack (NLL) (2000–2003); Albany Conquest/Firebirds (af2) (2002–2009); Albany Devils (AHL) (2010–2017); Albany Empire (AFL) (2018–2019); Albany Hyenas (IBLA) (2020–2021); Albany Empire (NAL) (2021-2023); Albany FireWolves (NLL) (2021–present); Albany Firebirds (AFL) (2024)/(AF1) (2025)
Website
	mvparena.com

MVP Arena (originally Knickerbocker Arena, and then the Pepsi Arena and Times Union Center) is an indoor arena located in Albany, New York. It is configurable and can accommodate from 6,000 to 17,500 people,^[1] with a maximum seating capacity of 15,500 for sporting events.^[2]

The building, designed by Crozier Associates and engineered by Clough Harbour & Associates, was built by Beltrone/MLB at a cost of $69.4 million.^{[citation needed]}

^ "Plan Your Event". albanycapitalcenter.com. Albany Capital Center. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
^ DeMasi, Michael (January 5, 2018). "$1.1 million in new contracts awarded for Times Union Center upgrades". Albany Business Review. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 18, 2020.

[1] "Plan Your Event". albanycapitalcenter.com. Albany Capital Center. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 18, 2020.

[2] DeMasi, Michael (January 5, 2018). "$1.1 million in new contracts awarded for Times Union Center upgrades". Albany Business Review. American City Business Journals. Retrieved September 18, 2020.

[1]

[2]

Construction
The arena in 2011

MVP Arena Location within New York State Show map of New York MVP Arena Location within the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Knickerbocker Arena (1990–1997) Pepsi Arena (1997–2007) Times Union Center (2007-2021)
Address	51 South Pearl Street
Location	Albany, New York, U.S.
Coordinates	42°38′55″N 73°45′17″W / 42.64861°N 73.75472°W / 42.64861; -73.75472
Owner	Albany County
Operator	ASM Global
Capacity	15,357 (concerts) 15,229 (basketball) 14,236 (hockey) 13,785 (arena football) 17,500 (max)
Surface	Multi-surface
Broke ground	February 5, 1987
Opened	January 30, 1990
Construction cost	$69.4 million, $1.6 million (2010 renovation)
Architect	Crozier Associates
Structural engineer	Clough Harbour & Associates
General contractor	Beltrone/MLB
Tenants
Albany Firebirds (AFL) (1990–2000) New York Kick (NPSL) (1990–1991) Albany Choppers (IHL) (1990–1991) Albany Patroons (CBA) (1990–1992) Siena Saints (NCAA) (1990–present) Albany River Rats (AHL) (1993–2010) Albany Attack (NLL) (2000–2003) Albany Conquest/Firebirds (af2) (2002–2009) Albany Devils (AHL) (2010–2017) Albany Empire (AFL) (2018–2019) Albany Hyenas (IBLA) (2020–2021) Albany Empire (NAL) (2021-2023) Albany FireWolves (NLL) (2021–present) Albany Firebirds (AFL) (2024)/(AF1) (2025)
Website
mvparena.com