MetroCentre is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Rockford, Illinois. The arena opened in 1981 with a concert by Dionne Warwick. It was the home of the Rockford Lightning Continental Basketball Association basketball team for many years. It is currently home to the Rockford IceHogs Ice Hockey team, and the Rock River Raptors indoor football team. It also hosted the first Arena Football League test game in 1986 between the Chicago Politicians and the Rockford Metros. WWE holds three events yearly in the MetroCentre. Due to its outdoor appearance it is often referred to as the "Big Orange Box", although Icehogs officials refer to the arena as "the Barnyard".

Certainly the most significant event in MetroCentre history occurred in the inaugural year, when the Rolling Stones made an appearance on their Tattoo You tour. The 10/1/81 concert was added to the tour in response to a radio station petition drive. The actual petitions were cut up and used to hold a lottery for the right to buy tickets. Each person drawn could purchase two of the $15.00 tickets.

The facility hosted the 1984 and 1986 Mid-American Conference men's basketball tournaments as well as numerous IHSA basketball sectional and super-sectional tournaments. In addition to athletic events, it hosts concerts, conventions, and local high school graduations.

In 2006, The city of Rockford along with Winnebago County announced plans to issue 23 million dollars in bonds to fund a massive renovation of the Arena. Key to the plan is an agreement with the Chicago Blackhawks to put an American League Hockey team in Rockford for the next 10 years. This team will act as the Blackhawks' farm team.

External Links

• Official Website

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