Rocket Arena
The building opened its doors in October 1994 as part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex. It replaced the Richfield Coliseum as the primary entertainment facility for the region. The facility also supplanted the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University, which had opened in 1991. Before this new structure existed, a facility called the Cleveland Arena stood downtown since 1937. That older venue hosted the Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952, widely regarded as the first rock and roll concert. By 1970, the Cleveland Arena was outdated and in disrepair. Voters approved a sin tax on alcohol and tobacco products in Cuyahoga County in 1990 to fund the complex. Construction began in 1992 with the ballpark opening in April 1994 and the arena following in October 1994. From its opening until August 2005, it was known as Gund Arena. Former Cavaliers owner Gordon Gund paid for the naming rights. Dan Gilbert purchased a majority of the Cavaliers in March 2005. He bought the naming rights in August 2005 and renamed the building Quicken Loans Arena after his mortgage lending company. In April 2019, the name changed to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse when Quicken Loans rebranded. The current name, Rocket Arena, was adopted in 2025 to align with the rebranding of various financial businesses under the Rocket name.
Rocket Arena seats 19,432 people in its basketball configuration. It holds up to 18,926 spectators for ice hockey games. Seating is divided into three levels with two main levels of suites and five platinum suites on the event level. Around the seating there are two main concourses. One ground-level concourse accesses the 100 level seating and 32 lower suites. An upper concourse serves the top 200 level seating. The club level provides access to 60 upper suites and club seating. During most Monsters games, the upper-level seating is closed and covered by a large curtain. This reduces capacity to 9,447 fans. In the basketball configuration, closing the upper level lists capacity at 11,751. From the opening until 2018, seating capacity for basketball was listed at 20,562. A major renovation project reduced this number in 2018. The project expanded the concourses and removed three sections of seating in the upper level. The main scoreboard, nicknamed Humongotron, measures 120 feet wide and 40 feet tall. It is the fourth largest scoreboard used in an NBA arena. ANC Sports Enterprises installed it in October 2014. On the roof sits a large LED message board measuring 100 feet by 40 feet. The Cleveland City Planning Commission approved the sign in March 2016 with strict usage stipulations. In March 2017, the Cavaliers introduced accommodations for guests with hypersensitivity needs. Staff received training and free sensory bags were distributed containing headphones and blankets. The arena became the first in the NBA certified as being sensory inclusive.
The facility serves as home to the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. They also host the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Through the 2020, 2021 season, the Cavs hosted playoff games in 12 of their 27 seasons at Rocket Arena. Games three and four of the 2007 NBA Finals took place here. Playoff action included the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Finals. The arena was the site of the 1997 NBA All-Star Game celebrating the 50th anniversary of the league. It also hosted the 2022 All-Star Game honoring the 75th anniversary. The Monsters made their playoff debut in 2011 and returned to the playoffs in 2016. In the 2016 Calder Cup playoffs, the team swept the Hershey Bears in four games. Game four on June 11 drew 19,665 fans. This set a record for the largest crowd to ever see a professional hockey game in Ohio. On the 30th of June 2025, the WNBA announced a new team would play in Cleveland. This brings the league back to both the arena and Cleveland for the first time since 2003. When it opened in 1994, the arena was home to the Cleveland Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League. The Lumberjacks played until 2001 when the team folded along with the IHL. A new incarnation of the Cleveland Barons began play later that year. They were tenants until 2006 when the team moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. The Las Vegas Gladiators of the Arena Football League moved to Quicken Loans Arena on the 16th of October 2007. They became the Cleveland Gladiators and hosted playoff games in 2008, 2011, and 2014.
The arena opened with a concert by Billy Joel on the 17th of October 1994. It has hosted numerous WWE professional wrestling cards including pay-per-view events. SummerSlam took place here in 1996 headlined by Shawn Michaels versus Vader. No Mercy occurred in 1999 featuring Triple H against Stone Cold Steve Austin. Invasion happened in 2001 with Team Alliance facing Team WWF. Survivor Series aired in 2004 with Team Orton versus Team Triple H. Unforgiven took place in 2008 headlining the World Heavyweight Championship Scramble match. TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs was held in 2014 with Bray Wyatt versus Dean Ambrose. Fastlane appeared twice, first in 2016 with Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns and again in 2019. On the 29th of August 2021, Jake Paul took on former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley. Paul won the eight-round bout via split decision in front of a nearly sold-out crowd. The 2021, 2024, and 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies were held at Rocket Arena. The arena also serves as a secondary venue for Cleveland State Vikings men's and women's basketball. It has hosted games of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship since 2011. Regional semi-finals and finals occurred there during the 2015 tournament. The Women's Final Four and national championship games were hosted in both 2007 and 2024.
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Common questions
When did Rocket Arena open in Cleveland?
Rocket Arena opened its doors on the 17th of October 1994. The facility replaced the Richfield Coliseum as the primary entertainment venue for the region and followed construction that began in 1992.
What is the seating capacity of Rocket Arena for basketball games?
Rocket Arena seats 19,432 people in its standard basketball configuration. A major renovation project completed in 2018 reduced the previous capacity from 20,562 to accommodate expanded concourses and removed three sections of upper level seating.
Who owns Rocket Arena and when was it renamed?
Dan Gilbert purchased the naming rights in August 2005 and renamed the building Quicken Loans Arena after his mortgage lending company. The current name Rocket Arena was adopted in 2025 to align with the rebranding of various financial businesses under the Rocket name.
Which sports teams play at Rocket Arena?
The arena serves as home to the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. It also hosts the WNBA team announced by the league on the 30th of June 2025 and has hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games since 2011.
When did Rocket Arena host the first rock and roll concert in history?
The predecessor venue called the Cleveland Arena hosted the Moondog Coronation Ball in 1952 which is widely regarded as the first rock and roll concert. That older venue stood downtown until 1970 before being replaced by the modern facility that opened in 1994.