Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

 arena, 1996_construction, music venue

The Van Andel Arena is a 10,834-seat multi-purpose arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a $75 million construction effort, the arena opened on October 8, 1996 and since has attracted more than five million patrons. It is home to the Grand Rapids Griffins ice hockey team, and the Grand Rapids Rampage Arena football team. It was also home court of the now defunct Grand Rapids Hoops basketball team.
As a concert venue Van Andel Arena seats 12,858 for end-stage shows, 13,184 for center-stage shows. The arena floor measures 85 feet-by-220 feet. The arena features 9,886 permanent seats and 44 luxury suites (the 16 luxury suites in the upper bowl seat 20 each, and 24 of the lower bowl suites seat 15, with the other four seating 18 each.) There are 1,298 retractable seats at Van Andel Arena.