Background← Previous revisionRevision as of 23:35, 11 October 2026 Line 33: Line 33: ==Background== ==Background== After a $78 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996. The 12,000 plus seat arena is managed by [[SMG (property management)|ASM Global]]. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors, [[Jay Van Andel|Jay]] and Betty Van Andel. After a $78 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996. The 12,000-plus seat arena is managed by [[SMG (property management)|ASM Global]]. It was named in recognition of the largest benefactors, [[Jay Van Andel|Jay]] and Betty Van Andel. It is home to the [[Grand Rapids Griffins]] of the [[American Hockey League]], the top minor league affiliate of the [[Detroit Red Wings]], with fans giving it the nickname "The Freezer on Fulton".{{Cite web |title = Disney on Ice comes to Van Andel Arena |url = https://www.wzzm13.com/video/features/disney-on-ice-comes-to-van-andel-arena/69-1820410 |access-date = August 26, 2020 |publisher = [[WZZM]] |language = en-US }} It is also home to the [[Grand Rapids Gold]] of the [[NBA G League]], the minor league affiliate of the [[Denver Nuggets]], and the [[Grand Rapids Rise]] of [[Major League Volleyball (2026)|Major League Volleyball]]. Van Andel Arena is home to the [[Grand Rapids Griffins]] of the [[American Hockey League]], the top minor league affiliate of the [[Detroit Red Wings]], with fans giving it the nickname "The Freezer on Fulton".{{Cite web |title = Disney on Ice comes to Van Andel Arena |url = https://www.wzzm13.com/video/features/disney-on-ice-comes-to-van-andel-arena/69-1820410 |access-date = August 26, 2020 |publisher = [[WZZM]] |language = en-US }} It is also home to the [[Grand Rapids Gold]] of the [[NBA G League]], the minor league affiliate of the [[Denver Nuggets]], and the [[Grand Rapids Rise]] of [[Major League Volleyball (2026)|Major League Volleyball]]. The arena was the home court of the now defunct [[Grand Rapids Hoops]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]] from 1996 to 2001 and the [[Grand Rapids Rampage]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] from 1998 to 2008.{{Cite web |date = June 22, 2022 |title = Van Andel Arena |url = https://grpmcollections.org/Detail/entities/32865 |access-date = June 22, 2022 |publisher = Grand Rapids Public Museum }} The arena was the home court of the now defunct [[Grand Rapids Hoops]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]] from 1996 to 2001 and the [[Grand Rapids Rampage]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] from 1998 to 2008.{{Cite web |date = June 22, 2022 |title = Van Andel Arena |url = https://grpmcollections.org/Detail/entities/32865 |access-date = June 22, 2022 |publisher = Grand Rapids Public Museum }} It has hosted acts such as [[Taylor Swift]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Tom Petty]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Green Day]], [[Metallica]], [[Phish]], [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[Jack White]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[Barenaked Ladies]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Janet Jackson]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Ariana Grande]], [[Elton John]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Demi Lovato]], [[Twenty One Pilots]], [[Roger Waters]], [[The Who]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[TLC (group)|TLC]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Linkin Park]],{{Cite web |title=Linkin Park Setlist at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/linkin-park/2025/van-andel-arena-grand-rapids-mi-1b5ef1c0.html |access-date=2025-12-10 |website=setlist.fm |language=en}} [[OneRepublic]], [[Kid Rock]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Pink (singer)|P!nk]], [[TobyMac]], [[Trans-Siberian Orchestra]], [[For King & Country (band)|For King & Country]], [[Newsboys]],{{cite web |last1 = DeBoer |first1 = Terry |title = Newsboys add a bit of flash to Christian music Winter Jam Tour in Grand Rapids |url = https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |website = MLive |access-date = March 4, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230304034524/https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |archive-date = March 4, 2023 |language = en |date = March 28, 2011 |url-status = live }} [[Morgan Wallen]],{{Cite web |last = Patton |first = Alli |date = December 1, 2022 |title = Morgan Wallen Announces 2023 World Tour |url = https://americansongwriter.com/morgan-wallen-announces-2023-world-tour/ |access-date = December 1, 2022 |website = American Songwriter |language = en-US }} [[The Harlem Globetrotters]], [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], [[All Elite Wrestling]], [[Disney]], [[Disney on Ice]], [[Monster Jam]], [[NCAA Hockey]] Regional Championships, the [[ArenaBowl XV|AFL ArenaBowl XV]] game, professional boxing and basketball exhibition games for the [[Detroit Pistons]], [[Michigan state basketball|Michigan State University Basketball]] & [[Grand Valley State Lakers|Grand Valley State University]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} It also hosted the 2001 [[Big Ten women's basketball tournament]]. It has hosted such acts as [[Taylor Swift]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Tom Petty]], [[Eric Clapton]], [[Pearl Jam]], [[Green Day]], [[Metallica]], [[Phish]], [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[Jack White]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[Paul McCartney]], [[Phil Collins]], [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[Barenaked Ladies]], [[Britney Spears]], [[Janet Jackson]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Ariana Grande]], [[Elton John]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Demi Lovato]], [[Twenty One Pilots]], [[Roger Waters]], [[The Who]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]], [[Avenged Sevenfold]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]], [[TLC (group)|TLC]], [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]], [[Kenny Chesney]], [[Linkin Park]],{{Cite web |title=Linkin Park Setlist at Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids |url=https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/linkin-park/2025/van-andel-arena-grand-rapids-mi-1b5ef1c0.html |access-date=2025-12-10 |website=setlist.fm |language=en}} [[OneRepublic]], [[Kid Rock]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Pink (singer)|P!nk]], [[TobyMac]], [[Trans-Siberian Orchestra]], [[For King & Country (band)|For King & Country]], [[Newsboys]],{{cite web |last1 = DeBoer |first1 = Terry |title = Newsboys add a bit of flash to Christian music Winter Jam Tour in Grand Rapids |url = https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |website = MLive |access-date = March 4, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230304034524/https://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/2011/03/newsboys_add_a_bit_of_flash_to.html |archive-date = March 4, 2023 |language = en |date = March 28, 2011 |url-status = live }} [[Morgan Wallen]],{{Cite web |last = Patton |first = Alli |date = December 1, 2022 |title = Morgan Wallen Announces 2023 World Tour |url = https://americansongwriter.com/morgan-wallen-announces-2023-world-tour/ |access-date = December 1, 2022 |website = American Songwriter |language = en-US }} [[The Harlem Globetrotters]], [[World Wrestling Entertainment]], [[All Elite Wrestling]], [[Disney]], [[Disney on Ice]], [[Monster Jam]], [[NCAA Hockey]] Regional Championships, the [[ArenaBowl XV|AFL ArenaBowl XV]] game, professional boxing and basketball exhibition games for the [[Detroit Pistons]], [[Michigan state basketball|Michigan State University Basketball]] & [[Grand Valley State Lakers|Grand Valley State University]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2022}} It also hosted the 2001 [[Big Ten women's basketball tournament]]. On October 20, 2001, during a show co-headlining with [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[System of a Down]] bassist [[Shavo Odadjian]] was assaulted, racially profiled and escorted out of the arena by security guards working for DuHadway Kendall. He filed a lawsuit in 2003.{{cite web |url = https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220825180330/https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 25, 2022 |title = System of a Down Bassist Sues Security Team for Humiliating Him in Front of Fans |publisher = [[MTV]] }} On October 20, 2001, during a show co-headlining with [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[System of a Down]] bassist [[Shavo Odadjian]] was assaulted, racially profiled and escorted out of the arena by security guards working for DuHadway Kendall. He filed a lawsuit in 2003.{{cite web |url = https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220825180330/https://www.mtv.com/news/zwj49r/system-of-a-down-bassist-sues-security-team-for-humiliating-him-in-front-of-fans |url-status = dead |archive-date = August 25, 2022 |title = System of a Down Bassist Sues Security Team for Humiliating Him in Front of Fans |publisher = [[MTV]] }}