Pollstar magazine shows Van Andel Arena & DeVos Performance Hall among world's best in 2016

Concert industry magazine Pollstar’s 2016 lists were recently released in their January 16th Year-End issue, and Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance Hall have found a place among the top venues in the world.

Van Andel Arena celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016, and it shaped up to be a year-long celebration with some of the biggest acts in the industry. With performances from the likes of Elton John, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney, among several others, the arena sold enough tickets to come in at #35 among arena venues of all sizes in the United States and #69 worldwide on Pollstar’s list of Top 200 Arena Venues in 2016.

On Pollstar’s list of Top 200 Theatre Venues, DeVos Performance Hall ranked at #20 in the United States and #29 worldwide for theatre venues of all sizes. Both lists tracked reported ticket sales between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.

The Avett Brothers perform at Van Andel Arena on November 12, 2016

“It is incredibly gratifying to see that the support we have from the community here and the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) isn’t going unnoticed,” said SMG Regional General Manager Richard MacKeigan. “Without their loyalty and patronage, it would be very difficult to be successful, and we felt like we received plenty of both for DeVos Performance Hall and the 20th anniversary of Van Andel Arena. We are very excited that these rankings reflect that as well.”

Prior to Pollstar’s year-end lists, Van Andel Arena and DeVos Performance had already been recognized by other trade magazines as well. Venues Today showed the arena as #4 in North America and #11 worldwide on their Top Stops list for venues with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000, and the arena also appeared at #5 among venues of the same capacity range on the magazine’s Social Media Power Poll which ranks venues by their social media presence. DeVos Performance Hall came in at #16 worldwide on Venues Today’s list of Top Stops for venues with a capacity between 2,001 and 5,000.

Van Andel Arena also came in at #3 on Billboard’s Boxscore rankings for venues in North America with a capacity between 10,001 and 15,000. The arena was #8 worldwide in the Boxscore rankings.

Van Andel Arena celebrates 20 years with benefit dinner and major Detroit sports executives

Van Andel Arena will be capping off its year-long commemoration of 20 years with a moderated discussion with some of Detroit’s top brass in sports.

The arena is inviting the community to join them on Tuesday, January 17, 2017 for a charity benefit dinner followed by a conversation with Detroit Tigers Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Al Avila, Detroit Red Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland, and Detroit Pistons General Manager Jeff Bower. The conversation will be moderated by WOOD-TV8’s Jack Doles, and a brief question and answer session is expected to take place afterward.

As the Tigers, Red Wings, and Pistons each have minor league affiliates in West Michigan, Avila, Holland, and Bower will explore the importance of their connections to Grand Rapids and the major league advantages each organization is able to enjoy as a result.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Grand Rapids Sports Hall of Fame, West Michigan Sports Commission, Grand Rapids Griffins Youth Foundation, and Whitecaps Community Foundation.

Tickets for the public to enjoy the after-dinner program starting at 8:00 PM are just $5, and are on sale now at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000.

This unique event is possible thanks to generous sponsors: Ticketmaster, Metro Health Hospital Foundation, Grand Rapids Griffins and Staffing Inc.