Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

Denver is a city with popular events from theater, concerts, to sporting events. In the past the Denver Coliseum has been the top place to see the variety of large events. However, in 1997 plans began taking place for a larger more modern structure to be erected downtown in Denver. The Pepsi Center groundbreaking started on November 20, 1997 and it took until October 1, 1999 for the events center to open for its first performance.

Celine Dion had the distinction of opening the Pepsi Center in a sold out performance. Since then the center has hosted a number of events like hockey, basketball, musical concerts, circuses, and ice performances. The facility was designed by HOK Sports Facilities Group out of Kansas City. The Pepsi Center sits on 4.6 acres of land in the Platte Valley. It is over 675,000 square feet of building with five levels. Maximum seating is 19,099 for basketball and 18,007 for hockey, arena football and lacrosse games. For concert events there can be 20,000 seats with folding chairs on the floor. It all depends on the stage configuration. There are 95 luxury suites on two levels with 1900 club seats.

Parking is available on lots A through E depending on event. The parking can range from $10 to over $30. The new Denver light rail has a stop close by the Pepsi Center for individuals who prefer not to drive. On many of the levels there are various concessions spread out for easy access. Philly Steak, nachos, pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, beer, sodas, and much more can be offered at the concessions.

Also on site is the Qwest Business Center which has five state of the art conference rooms for local businesses and other conferences. The Pepsi Center offers a top of the line sound and lighting system with a 60,000 pound center hung scoreboard which is eight sided. It has a matrix game in progress board with four sided Sony LED Jumbo Tron. The scoreboard has plasma screens for replays and intermission entertainment.

Concert events at the Pepsi Center have included Rod Stewart, Sting, Yanni, Andre Rieu, Celine Dion, Brooks and Dunn, Taylor Swift, and Bryan Adams to name a few. Each year the Pepsi Center brings in different artists and some of the same to keep the people of Denver entertained. When a concert is not available there are other events like Cirque Du Soleil, Disney on Ice and other events.

The Pepsi Center is the home base for the Nuggets Basketball NBA team and the Colorado Avalanche NHL team. Each year the NHL team offers a family night starting with four tickets and going up to 8. With the family night guests also get a meal with soda to make the experience a great one. Onsite on the first floor at the main entrance is the retail sports store for Altitude Authentics like Nuggest, Avalanche, Crush, and Mammoth souvenirs. The events often have giveaways like shirts, and local business and restaurant coupons.