LITTLE CAESARS ARENA RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS SPORTS FACILITY OF THE YEAR AWARD AT 2018 SPORTS BUSINESS AWARDS
Filled with industry-firsts, state-of-the-art facility on track to be one of the busiest arenas in the world with 2.3 million guests attending more than 150 ticketed events already, including inaugural seasons for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons
Arena serves as a cornerstone of The District Detroit, a dynamic urban destination and vibrant neighborhood experience with featuring retail, residential and office developments that will deliver $1.4 billion+ in new investment to Detroit
Little Caesars Arena is the only arena in the country to earn SAFETY Act certification, the highest level of protection awarded by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
DETROIT – The state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena received the prestigious Sports Facility of the Year award at the 2018 Sports Business Awards Ceremony at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City on Wednesday night. Launched in 2008, the industry-leading Sports Business Awards were established by SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily to celebrate and recognize the leaders, visionaries and day-to-day practitioners who personify excellence in the business of sports.
The home of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Pistons and other sports, entertainment and community events, Little Caesars Arena earned the award among a group of six finalists that also included Notre Dame Stadium, SunTrust Park/The Battery Atlanta, T-Mobile Arena, Target Center and U.S. Bank Stadium. Previous award winners have included Golden 1 Center, Daytona International Speedway, Levi's Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center, Target Field, Cowboys Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium and AT&T Park. An expert panel of editors, writers and researchers from SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily chose Little Caesars Arena based on excellence, growth, creativity, innovation, sound planning, implementation and outcomes.
“We’re thrilled to continue celebrating the Inaugural Season at Little Caesars Arena with this prestigious award,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “Our vision for what Little Caesars Arena could offer to fans, players, artists and community members drove us to create something very special and highly innovative. Every aspect of Little Caesars Arena was designed to enhance the guest experience, and we appreciate that those efforts continue to be recognized.”
Since its opening on Sept. 12, 2017, Little Caesars Arena has been the home for more than 150 ticketed events for 2.3 million fans, including a combined 82 Red Wings and Pistons regular season home games, more than 50 concerts and shows, and 15 additional sporting events. The multi-purpose facility has also hosted more than 100 private events, and is on track to be one of the busiest arenas in the world during its first full year of operation.
“I just love Little Caesars Arena. It is incredible,” said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. “Every seat in the house is great. In addition to being state-of-the-art, it has every conceivable amenity. An incredible use of technology, and a remarkable tie to history and tradition of this great Original Six franchise. In terms of the fan experience, it is as good as you get in a public facility.”
A Cornerstone of The District Detroit
Little Caesars Arena is one of more than a dozen developments launched by the llitch organization in The District Detroit since 2015. More than $1.4 billion in development is underway or planned, setting the stage for additional retail, office and residential projects. Development in The District Detroit has already created more than 20,000 construction and construction-related jobs and more than 3,000 permanent jobs after the opening of Little Caesars Arena, two-thirds of which were filled by Detroiters. These future projects will continue to grow the city’s economy and create new opportunities for Detroit and for Michigan.
The construction of Little Caesars Arena positioned Detroit as the only city in America that houses all four of its professional sports teams in an urban core — all within walking distance. Home to the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and Detroit Lions - The District Detroit represents the greatest density of professional sports teams in one downtown core in the country.
Best in Class Safety and Security
In Nov. 2017, Little Caesars Arena received SAFETY Act Certification, the highest level of protection awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The facility became the first combined NHL, NBA and entertainment venue, and the only arena in the country, to earn the certification.
Reimagined Arena Design
Little Caesars Arena exemplifies modernization with its deconstructed model. This first-of-its kind implementation blurs traditional physical and experiential spaces, with interior streets in the street-level Via concourse acting as a retail galleria with offices, four full-service restaurants, amenities and rich history. The design highlights the Ilitch organization’s focus to look beyond the typical arena to positively impact the broader community.
An Arena Immersed by Innovation
The Ilitch organization’s vision for what Little Caesars Arena could be drove it to deliver much more than a state-of-the-art facility – to create something very special and highlight innovative. That systematic approach to innovation and fan experience is evident throughout the facility, including signature public and premium spaces, the BELFOR Training Center, unique heritage elements, a 600-foot long projection jewel skin, one of the largest center-hung scoreboards in the world, 3-D image mapping, a versatile sky deck, over 1,300 display screens and more.
ABOUT LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Little Caesars Arena in The District Detroit serves as the home of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Pistons and countless other sports, entertainment and community events. Rich with the tradition of the Original Six™ Detroit Red Wings, three-time world champion Detroit Pistons and Detroit's incredible musical heritage, the arena also features state-of-the-art technology, fan amenities, and active community spaces like the Via, the BELFOR Training Center and the Chevrolet Plaza. The District Detroit unites world-class theaters, four professional sports teams and three professional sports venues including Little Caesars Arena in one vibrant, walkable destination for people who want to live, work and play in a dynamic urban environment.
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