Patriot Center
Encyclopedia
The Patriot Center is a 10,000-seat arena in Fairfax
, Virginia
. It is located on the campus of George Mason University
(which has over 30,000 students), and has attracted 9.6 million people to over 2,958 events. In 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 7 nationwide and No. 12 worldwide according to ticket sales for venues with capacities between 10,001 and 15,000 by trade publication Venues Today. Also in 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 8 nationwide and No. 18 worldwide according to top grossing venues with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000 by Billboard magazine. The Patriot Center opened on October 4, 1985, when the New York Knicks
played the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards
) in a pre-season game. The arena is home to the George Mason University basketball teams, as well as concerts and family shows, with the 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of space.
The Patriot Center is the first university venue to be managed by a private company, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, who also owns and manages Verizon Center
in Washington D.C. In 1986, the Patriot Center hosted the first men’s CAA (Colonial Athletic Association
) Tournament and hosted its first women’s CAA Tournament in 2005. In 1990, the Patriot Center held the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships. The Patriots have amassed an overall record of 220–92 at the Patriot Center. The Patriots are also 85–10 in the Patriot Center against Colonial Athletic Association opponents. During the 2010–2011 men's NCAA basketball season, the Patriots amassed a perfect 13–0 home record, which was the second time that occurred in three seasons.
The arena has recently undergone a $10 million renovation, which added new concession stands, new hospitality area, new locker rooms and bathrooms, and an improved main concourse. This year, GMU men’s basketball team set an attendance record against Old Dominion University
on homecoming, which then was reached again against James Madison University
; both games were won by double digits. The Patriot Center also graduates many of Northern Virginia
's high schools.
The Patriot Center hosted the sold-out UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz on January 11, 2010. That was the first time that the UFC
had staged an event in the state of Virginia
.
Concert - Phish
- 10,356
Grossing Concert - Bruce Springsteen
in 2005, $573,885
Grossing Family Show - The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus in 2009, $1.86 million
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is located on the campus of George Mason University
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public university based in unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, south of and adjacent to the city of Fairfax. Additional campuses are located nearby in Arlington County, Prince William County, and Loudoun County...
(which has over 30,000 students), and has attracted 9.6 million people to over 2,958 events. In 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 7 nationwide and No. 12 worldwide according to ticket sales for venues with capacities between 10,001 and 15,000 by trade publication Venues Today. Also in 2010, the Patriot Center was ranked No. 8 nationwide and No. 18 worldwide according to top grossing venues with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000 by Billboard magazine. The Patriot Center opened on October 4, 1985, when the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
played the Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
) in a pre-season game. The arena is home to the George Mason University basketball teams, as well as concerts and family shows, with the 17000 square feet (1,579.4 m²) of space.
The Patriot Center is the first university venue to be managed by a private company, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, who also owns and manages Verizon Center
Verizon Center
Verizon Center is a sports and entertainment arena in Washington, D.C., USA, named after telecommunications sponsor Verizon Communications, and has been nicknamed the "Phone Booth" because of its association with telecommunications companies...
in Washington D.C. In 1986, the Patriot Center hosted the first men’s CAA (Colonial Athletic Association
Colonial Athletic Association
The Colonial Athletic Association is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose full-time members are located in East Coast states from Massachusetts to Georgia. Most of its members are public universities, with five in Virginia alone, and the conference is headquartered in Richmond,...
) Tournament and hosted its first women’s CAA Tournament in 2005. In 1990, the Patriot Center held the NCAA Men’s Volleyball Championships. The Patriots have amassed an overall record of 220–92 at the Patriot Center. The Patriots are also 85–10 in the Patriot Center against Colonial Athletic Association opponents. During the 2010–2011 men's NCAA basketball season, the Patriots amassed a perfect 13–0 home record, which was the second time that occurred in three seasons.
The arena has recently undergone a $10 million renovation, which added new concession stands, new hospitality area, new locker rooms and bathrooms, and an improved main concourse. This year, GMU men’s basketball team set an attendance record against Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
on homecoming, which then was reached again against James Madison University
James Madison University
James Madison University is a public coeducational research university located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S. Founded in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg, the university has undergone four name changes before settling with James Madison University...
; both games were won by double digits. The Patriot Center also graduates many of Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia consists of several counties and independent cities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in a widespread region generally radiating southerly and westward from Washington, D.C...
's high schools.
The Patriot Center hosted the sold-out UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz on January 11, 2010. That was the first time that the UFC
Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...
had staged an event in the state of Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Records
Men's Basketball Game - 9,900 on February 5, 2011 vs Old Dominion UniversityOld Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
Concert - Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
- 10,356
Grossing Concert - Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
in 2005, $573,885
Grossing Family Show - The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey circus in 2009, $1.86 million