PPG Paints Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located at 1001 Fifth Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Opened on August 18, 2010, the $321 million venue replaced the city’s historic Civic Arena and immediately became the entertainment hub of western Pennsylvania. Originally named Consol Energy Center, the arena adopted its current name in October 2016 when PPG Industries acquired the naming rights from Consol Energy.
As home to the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, the arena seats 18,187 for hockey, but reconfigures to hold up to 19,758 fans for concerts. Paul McCartney christened the venue with two sold-out performances — the first show sold out within five minutes of tickets going on sale — setting the tone for a stage that has since hosted Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, and Rage Against the Machine, among many others. With more than 150 events per year, PPG Paints Arena is the undisputed epicenter of live entertainment in the Pittsburgh region.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Type: Multi-purpose indoor arena
- Opened: August 18, 2010
- Capacity (concerts): Up to 19,758
- Capacity (hockey): 18,187
- Famous for: Paul McCartney inaugural shows; first LEED Gold-certified NHL arena
A Star-Studded Opening and Concert Legacy
PPG Paints Arena made an immediate statement when it opened in August 2010. Paul McCartney headlined two back-to-back inaugural concerts, with the first show selling out in under five minutes — a record that signaled the venue’s drawing power before a single hockey puck was ever dropped. In the years since, the arena has attracted an eclectic roster of major acts spanning rock, pop, country, and hip-hop, cementing its reputation as a must-stop destination on any national tour.
Hosting more than 150 events annually, the arena draws millions of visitors to downtown Pittsburgh each year. Artists including Bruce Springsteen, Harry Styles, and Rage Against the Machine have all performed on its main stage, while the flexible configuration allows the venue to adapt to intimate shows and massive spectacles alike.
Design, Certification, and the Venue Experience
Designed by the architecture firm Populous (formerly HOK Sport), PPG Paints Arena was built with sustainability as a core priority. When it opened in 2010, it became the first arena in both the NHL and the Arena Football League to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council — a distinction that still sets it apart among major North American venues.
For concertgoers, the arena’s modern infrastructure means excellent sightlines, premium sound, and a variety of seating configurations that can be tailored to the demands of each show. Whether standing in the floor pit for a rock concert or watching from the upper bowl, audiences benefit from the thoughtful design that keeps the venue feeling current more than a decade after its opening.
Explore more: Live Music venues guide.
PPG Paints Arena FAQs
What is the concert capacity of PPG Paints Arena?
In concert configuration, PPG Paints Arena can hold up to approximately 19,758 fans. The exact capacity varies depending on the stage setup and floor layout for each event.
Who performed at the opening of PPG Paints Arena?
Paul McCartney performed the inaugural concerts at PPG Paints Arena on August 18 and 19, 2010. Tickets for the first show sold out within five minutes of going on sale.
What was PPG Paints Arena previously called?
The arena opened in 2010 as Consol Energy Center. In October 2016, Consol Energy opted out of its naming rights contract and PPG Industries took over, renaming it PPG Paints Arena.
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Photo: Jleedev / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.