Prudential Center, nicknamed “The Rock” after its naming sponsor’s corporate logo, opened in downtown Newark, New Jersey on October 25, 2007. It was the first major league sports venue built in the New York metropolitan area since 1981, and it has served as the home rink of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils ever since, replacing the Continental Airlines Arena in the Meadowlands.
Beyond hockey, the arena hosts Seton Hall Pirates men’s basketball, the PWHL’s New York Sirens, and a packed calendar of concerts and touring events, consistently ranking among the busiest live entertainment venues in the New York area. Whether you’re heading to a Devils game or a concert, here’s what to know about getting there, parking, tickets, seating, and arena policies.
Quick Answer
Prudential Center is a 16,514-seat NHL arena in downtown Newark, New Jersey, home to the New Jersey Devils since 2007. It’s a short walk from Newark Penn Station, offers arena-operated parking garages within two blocks, and sells tickets through Ticketmaster and its on-site box office.
Getting There & Parking
Prudential Center is built for transit access: Newark Penn Station, served by NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor, North Jersey Coast, and Raritan Valley lines as well as Amtrak, sits about two blocks from the arena. PATH trains connect directly from Hoboken, Jersey City, and Manhattan to Newark’s PATH station, also a short walk away. If you arrive at Newark Broad Street Station, the Newark Light Rail connects over to Penn Station near the arena.
Drivers will find over 3,500 parking spaces within two blocks of the arena, spread across four arena-affiliated lots: the Parking Deck at 15 Lafayette Street, Green 3 & 4 at 30-42 Lafayette Street, the Green Street Garage at 47-63 Green Street, and Green 7 at 299 Mulberry Street. Prudential Center recommends buying parking in advance through its ParkMobile-based system rather than paying on arrival, especially for high-demand events. Full lot maps, current rates, and advance purchase links are available on the official Prudential Center parking page.
Tickets & Box Office Hours
Tickets for Devils games, Seton Hall basketball, and concerts are sold through Ticketmaster as the arena’s official ticketing partner, alongside secondary marketplaces. The on-site Ticketmaster Box Office is located inside the arena near the corner of Mulberry Street and Edison Place. On non-event weekdays it’s typically open Monday through Friday, with weekend hours only on days when an event is scheduled — hours shift around holidays, so it’s worth checking before a visit.
For the most current box office hours, ticket exchanges, and any accessibility or group-sales questions, use the official Prudential Center box office page or the main Prudential Center website, which lists the full event calendar.
Seating Chart & Best Seats
For hockey, the lower bowl runs sections 1-22 and 101-134, with the 200-level upper bowl (roughly sections 208-216 and 225-233) wrapping the top of the arena. Center-ice seats in the lower bowl give the clearest, closest views of Devils games, but rows below about Row 13 near the ends can lose sightlines behind the glass and boards. Upper-level sideline seats trade some proximity for a full view of the ice at a lower price point, making them a popular value pick.
Concert configurations reconfigure the floor and can open or close upper sections depending on the stage setup, so seat locations and views shift by event. The interactive seating chart on the official site lets fans preview the view from a specific section before buying.
Bag Policy & Arena Rules
Prudential Center does not require clear bags, but it does limit size and style: bags and purses up to 12″ x 14″ are permitted, while backpacks of any size and hard-sided bags of any kind are not allowed inside. Coolers, ice chests, and outside packages are also prohibited. Medical and childcare bags are allowed but subject to inspection at the security checkpoint.
Every guest passes through security screening at entry. Along with the bag rules, the arena prohibits weapons, professional cameras, outside food and beverages, noisemaking devices, and drones. Small event-related signs are permitted if they’re no larger than 8.5″ x 11″ and not attached to a pole. Full, current policy details are posted on the arena’s official arena policy page linked from prucenter.com.
The Ride Experience
Fans entering Prudential Center pass beneath one of the world’s largest LED displays before settling into a bowl designed for close sightlines to Devils hockey. The arena’s crown jewel is its center-hung scoreboard, installed in 2017, which at nearly four stories tall and over 9,500 square feet was billed as the largest in-arena scoreboard on the planet at the time.
The building was also engineered with hockey in mind: it is one of only a handful of NHL arenas with an attached practice rink, letting the Devils train and play in the same complex without traveling to a separate facility.
A Concert and Community Hub
While hockey pays the bills most nights, Prudential Center has become a heavyweight concert destination, drawing major touring acts and consistently ranking among the highest-grossing arenas worldwide on Billboard’s Boxscore charts. A full calendar of concerts, family shows, and other touring events runs alongside the Devils, Seton Hall, and Sirens schedules, helping revitalize downtown Newark’s entertainment district in the process.
The arena was designed by HOK Sport for its interior bowl, with Morris Adjmi Architects shaping the exterior, giving it a look distinct from typical suburban arenas of its era.
History & Quick Facts
Prudential Center opened October 25, 2007, becoming the first major league sports venue built in the New York metropolitan area since 1981. It replaced the Meadowlands’ Continental Airlines Arena as the Devils’ home and cost roughly $375-380 million to build. Today it seats about 16,514 for hockey and can be configured for roughly 17,000-19,500 for concerts.
Prudential Center Newark FAQs
Who plays at Prudential Center?
The New Jersey Devils of the NHL have called Prudential Center home since it opened in 2007. Seton Hall’s men’s basketball team and the PWHL’s New York Sirens also play there, along with a busy schedule of touring concerts.
When did Prudential Center open?
It opened on October 25, 2007, becoming the first major league sports venue built in the New York metropolitan area since 1981.
What is Prudential Center’s seating capacity?
It seats about 16,514 for hockey and can hold roughly 17,000-19,500 for concerts, depending on the stage configuration.
Does Prudential Center have a clear bag policy?
No, bags don’t need to be clear, but they must be 12″ x 14″ or smaller. Backpacks, hard-sided bags, and coolers are not allowed inside.
How do I get to Prudential Center without driving?
Newark Penn Station, about two blocks away, is served by NJ Transit and Amtrak, and Newark’s PATH station is also within walking distance, making transit one of the easiest ways to reach the arena.
Where can I park at Prudential Center?
The arena operates four nearby lots — the Parking Deck, Green 3 & 4, the Green Street Garage, and Green 7 — with over 3,500 spaces within two blocks. Advance purchase is recommended for busy events via the official parking page.
What are the Prudential Center box office hours?
The on-site Ticketmaster box office generally operates weekdays, with weekend hours added only on event days. Hours can shift around holidays, so check the official box office page before visiting.
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