Simmons Bank Arena
As seen from across the Arkansas River, 2020 | |
Interactive map of Simmons Bank Arena | |
| Former names | Alltel Arena (1999–2009) Verizon Arena (2009–2019) |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Owner | Pulaski County Multi-Purpose Civic Center Facilities Board |
| Operator | Pulaski County Multi-Purpose Civic Center Facilities Board |
| Capacity | Basketball: 18,000 Hockey: 17,000 Arena football:16,000 |
| Surface | Multi-surface |
| Public transit |
|
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 22, 1997 |
| Opened | October 2, 1999 |
| Construction cost | $80 million ($155 million in 2025 dollars) |
| Architect | Civic Center Design Team (CCDT): Burt Taggart & Associates, Architects/Engineers, The Wilcox Group, Garver & Garver Engineering and Rosser International of Atlanta |
| Structural engineer | Geiger Engineers PC |
| General contractor | Turner/Vratsinas |
| Tenants | |
| Arkansas–Little Rock Trojans (NCAA) (1999–2005) Arkansas RiverBlades (ECHL) (1999–2003) Arkansas RimRockers (ABA/NBA D-League) (2004–2007) Arkansas Diamonds (IFL) (2010) | |
| 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 Diamonds, a defunct arena football team of the Indoor Football League, also played at the arena. The arena is also used for concerts, rodeos, auto racing, professional wrestling, and trade shows and conventions.