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1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility, has long been considered an anchor, which contributed to the growth and prosperity of Baltimore. The facility opened in 1962 and was the cornerstone of the Baltimore Inner Harbor redevelopment. Major renovations occurred in the late 80's. The 1st Mariner Arena is just a short distance from harbor front attractions and major hotels. An 850-car garage is attached to the facility for the convenience of patron parking and there are thousands of additional parking spaces nearby.
1st Mariner Arena began as the Civic Center in 1962. In 1986 the facility was renamed the Baltimore Arena and in 2003 was again renamed 1st Mariner Arena. The official opening of the Civic Center began with a Baltimore Clippers game with entertainment by Paul Anka. From there, the list of stars and guests increased with acts like the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Supremes, and more.
1st Mariner Arena is a City-owned facility which hosts an average of 800,000 guests and 120 events annually. Two professional sports franchises-- the Baltimore Blast MISL soccer team and the Baltimore Mariners AIFL football team call 1st Mariner Arena home. Shows like Sesame Street Live, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Arenacross, WWE and more, regularly play the facility each year. The Arena also hosts events such as Mixed Martial Arts, basketball, graduations, tennis, comedy shows and other miscellaneous events.
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SMG, a Philadelphia based private facility Management Company, assumed leadership of 1st Mariner Arena in 1999. Since then the Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment such as 2009 Kennedy Center Honoree Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z, George Strait, Beyonce, the Rolling Stones, Janet Jackson, Toby Keith, The Eagles, U2, Reba McEntire, Fleetwood Mac, Maxwell and many more. In April of 2006, 1st Mariner Arena hosted the 55th Annual Miss USA Competition. In the fall of 2009, the Arena served as the host of Maryland’s first ever Mixed Martial Arts event, Shogun Fights.
1st Mariner Arena has 11,000 permanent seats (3 levels in a horseshoe shape) facing a 58' deep x 117' wide x 42' high wooden permanent proscenium stage. Temporary seating is used on the floor and/or the stage for various event configurations. With floor seating concert or meeting capacity is 13,500; other shows and sporting events capacities range from 11,000 to 14,000. The Arena can also be curtained down to a 5,000-person capacity with a portable stage house center. The ice system was completely replaced in 1997.
1st Mariner Arena is easily accessible via Interstates 95, 295, 83 and 395 and is located approximately seven miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. The light rail and major bus lines stop alongside the facility.
In 2009, 1st Mariner Arena was named the #1 Arena in the United States by Billboard Magazine and Venues Today! No other U.S. building in its category bested 1st Mariner Arena as the highest grossing Arena.
SMG Worldwide Entertainment, 1st Mariner Arena and the City of Baltimore…Continuing to Make History.
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