Nationwide Arena opened on September 9, 2000, in downtown Columbus, Ohio, becoming the home of the expansion Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. Built on the former site of the Ohio Penitentiary’s parking lot, the arena was designed by Heinlein Schrock Stearns and NBBJ at a construction cost of about $175 million.
The arena stands out among NHL venues for its on-site practice facility, the OhioHealth IceHaus, which made it the first NHL arena built with a dedicated practice rink attached to the main building. Owned by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority and operated by Columbus Arena Management, Nationwide Arena has anchored the redevelopment of the surrounding Arena District since it opened.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL, 2000–present)
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Opened: September 9, 2000
- Capacity (Hockey): about 18,500
- Capacity (Concerts): up to 20,000
- Notable Fact: Hosted the 2015 NHL All-Star Game
The Game-Day Experience
Nationwide Arena sits at the heart of Columbus’s Arena District, a neighborhood of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues that grew up around the building after it opened. ESPN The Magazine once ranked it among the top stadium experiences in professional sports, citing its sightlines and downtown atmosphere.
Beyond Blue Jackets hockey, the arena regularly hosts concerts, college hockey, and other touring events, drawing on its flexible seating configuration that can shift from an 18,500-seat hockey bowl to a 20,000-capacity concert setup.
A Legacy That Changed the NHL
Nationwide Arena is tied to one of the most consequential safety changes in NHL history. In 2002, a deflected puck struck and killed 13-year-old fan Brittanie Cecil during a Blue Jackets game, prompting the league to mandate protective netting behind the goals in every arena — a rule still in place today.
The venue also carries civic significance as the first major project to redevelop Columbus’s former penitentiary grounds, helping transform the area into the thriving Arena District that now surrounds it.
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Nationwide Arena FAQs
When did Nationwide Arena open?
Nationwide Arena opened on September 9, 2000, in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Who plays home games at Nationwide Arena?
The Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL have played their home games at Nationwide Arena since the team’s inaugural 2000 season.
What is the seating capacity of Nationwide Arena?
Nationwide Arena seats about 18,500 for hockey, up to 19,500 for basketball, and up to 20,000 for concerts.
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Photo: Eric / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.