The Wolf Pack's home ice was re-christened the “XL Center” on December 18, 2007. The name change came as a result of an historic partnership with XL Insurance, which re-affirmed Hartford's status as the Insurance Capital of the U.S.. Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, XL Insurance received exclusive naming rights to Connecticut's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility.
The doors to what was then known as the Hartford Civic Center Veterans Memorial Coliseum and Exhibition Center opened on January 9, 1975, with Glenn Campbell kicking off the start of an event-filled weekend. The following evening, Johnny Mathis and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra took to the stage. Professional hockey in Hartford debuted on January 11th, as the New England Whalers played their first game at the Hartford Civic Center, hosting the San Diego Mariners. Since then, what is now the XL Center has remained Connecticut's home for premier sports and entertainment.
After three years of providing top family fun and entertainment, the Civic Center closed temporarily. On the evening of January 18, 1978, just hours after the University of Connecticut Men's Basketball team had defeated the University of Massachusetts; the weight of snow from the day's heavy snowstorm proved too much for the Civic Center roof and caused it to collapse. Fortunately, there were no injuries. A little over two years later, on February 6, 1980, the new Hartford Whalers, now of the NHL, reopened the doors with a game against the Los Angeles Kings. Once again, it was the start of something great in Hartford.
Through the years, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, Diana Ross, the Grateful Dead, Luciano Pavarotti, James Taylor, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner and other all-time-great recording artists have filled the XL Center, delighting guests of all ages.
Although 1997 saw the end of the Whalers' tenure in Hartford, it also marked a new beginning - the new American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Rangers was about to make Hartford its home. In August of 1997, Madison Square Garden announced an agreement with the Connecticut Development Authority to manage the Hartford Civic Center, enabling the Rangers to purchase their Binghamton development team and move the squad to Connecticut. The Hartford Wolf Pack kicked off a new era of hockey in Hartford with the start of the 1997-98 AHL season.
Along with hosting the Wolf Pack, the XL Center continues to be the home away from home for both the University of Connecticut men's and women's basketball programs. The Huskies have grown into a perennial powerhouse, playing in front of sold out crowds and winning men's national championships in 1999 and 2004, and women's titles in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
In addition to its resident teams, the XL Center plays host to concerts, family shows, ice-skating spectaculars, consumer events and trade shows throughout the year. Having hosted more than 500 concerts and close to 300 different performers, the XL Center has become a preferred stop for a multitude of tours
Concert headliners have included the Rolling Stones, Elton John, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, U2, Eric Clapton, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Britney Spears, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and Neil Diamond. Among the venue's annual attractions are Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Sesame Street Live, World Wrestling Entertainment, Smucker's Stars on Ice, John Hancock's Champions on Ice, the Hartford Bridal Expo, the U.S. Hot Rod Association Monster Jam, Disney on Ice and the Harlem Globetrotters. Special events have included the NHL Entry Draft and All-Star Game, World Figure Skating Championships, NBA and WNBA basketball action, championship boxing, NCAA Tournament basketball games, WWE's WrestleMania XI and the Disney annual shareholders meeting.
The XL Center has proudly hosted the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Championship since 2004, and also provided the venue for the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship East Regional in 2004. In addition, the U.S. Figure Skating Association chose the XL Center as the site for a Smart Ones Skate America event in October of 2006.
For more information about the XL Center, please visit its official website at www.xlcenter.com.
