Marshall Arena
Marshall Health Network Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena and convention center in Huntington, West Virginia, with a seating capacity of 7,500 for most events.[1] Opened on September 25, 1977, as the Huntington Civic Center at a cost of $10.5 million, it was the largest venue of its kind in the state at the time and has since undergone significant renovations, including a major overhaul completed in summer 2021 that modernized the facility and expanded its appeal for diverse programming.[2][3] Originally built to host large-scale entertainment and community events after two decades of planning and debate, the arena was initially configured for up to 9,000 spectators and was intended to serve as the home court for the Marshall University Thundering Herd men's basketball team, though the team continued at Veterans Memorial Field House until the opening of the Cam Henderson Center in 1981.[2] Over its history, the venue has borne several names reflecting corporate sponsorships and regional partnerships: Huntington Civic Arena from 1993 to 2004, Big Sandy Superstore Arena from 2004 to 2019, Mountain Health Arena from 2019 to 2024, and its current designation since February 2024, secured through a naming rights agreement with Marshall Health Network.[4][5] Owned by the City of Huntington and managed by Legends Global, it features an attached convention center with flexible spaces for meetings, weddings, and exhibitions, drawing attendees from West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky as the premier entertainment hub in the Tri-State area.[6][1] The arena has hosted a wide array of notable events, including concerts by major artists, professional wrestling matches, family shows like the Harlem Globetrotters, and university commencements, while its central downtown location at 1 Civic Center Plaza enhances accessibility with ample parking and proximity to hotels and dining.[6][7] Recent upgrades emphasize user experience, positioning it as a versatile space for both high-profile performances and community gatherings in the region.[3]Overview
Location and access
Marshall Arena is situated at Stadium Way West, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK1 1ST, England.[8] The venue forms part of the Stadium MK complex, directly adjacent to Stadium MK, the home ground of MK Dons football club.[9] It integrates into the broader Stadium:MK leisure district, which encompasses the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel, MK1 Shopping & Leisure Park featuring retail outlets such as Next and Primark, diverse restaurants, and an Odeon IMAX cinema.[10] Primarily serving visitors from South East England, the arena attracts audiences from the London area (about 45 miles south) and nearby regions.[11] Access by road is straightforward via Junction 14 of the M1 motorway, with clear signage from major routes.[12] The site lies roughly 2.7 miles from Milton Keynes Central railway station, reachable in about 35 minutes by train from London Euston.[12] Local bus services, including routes 1, 6, 32, and 150, connect Milton Keynes Central station to the venue, while coaches arrive via the nearby Milton Keynes Coachway off the A509.[13] On-site parking accommodates over 1,300 vehicles, with additional spaces for coaches, though charges apply during events.[12] For visitors with disabilities, the arena provides wheelchair-accessible entrances, dedicated seating, and reserved parking spaces.[14]Facilities and capacity
Marshall Arena spans 3,420 square metres (36,800 sq ft) across three floors, forming a multi-purpose event space integrated into the Stadium MK complex and designed by the architectural firm Populous (formerly known as HOK Sport).[15] The structure includes a main arena floor of approximately 2,500 square metres, two balcony levels for additional seating or viewing, ground-floor production offices, and direct lorry access for large-scale setups.[8][16] The venue's capacity is highly configurable to suit various event types, accommodating up to 5,000 seated attendees for concerts and up to 4,606 in arena-style configurations, while scaling down to around 3,500 for conferences or exhibitions.[8][16] Supporting this flexibility are six breakout rooms for smaller sessions, dedicated green rooms for performers, and six on-site bars to facilitate catering and networking.[17] The arena is equipped with state-of-the-art technical features, including advanced lighting and sound systems, full air conditioning, comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage via 802.11ac technology on a fibre-connected Cisco network, and modular staging options that allow for rapid reconfiguration.[18][19][20] Managed by Inter MK Limited as part of the broader Stadium MK complex, the arena emphasizes sustainability through energy-efficient LED lighting installations across the group and dedicated recycling facilities to minimize waste during events.[21][22]History
Development and construction
The idea for a civic center in Huntington, West Virginia, was first proposed in 1958 by a planning consultant as part of efforts to enhance community facilities.[2] The project faced nearly 20 years of controversy and delays, including funding challenges and site selection debates. Championed by local groups and former Mayor Robert Hinerman with the slogan "Civic Center by '70," a federal planning grant was secured, leading to designs by Dean & Dean in 1971 for a complex including a 12,500-seat arena.[2] Due to cost overruns and bond rejections, the plans were scaled back. The site was finalized at the 700 block of 3rd Avenue near downtown. Groundbreaking occurred on March 29, 1976, with construction bids totaling $7.5 million for the core facility. The total cost reached $10.5 million, including furniture and equipment, making it the largest venue of its kind in West Virginia upon completion.[2]Opening and early years
The arena opened on September 25, 1977, as the Huntington Civic Center, with an initial configuration for up to 9,000 spectators.[2] It quickly became a hub for entertainment and community events, serving as the home court for the Marshall University Thundering Herd men's basketball team until the opening of the Cam Henderson Center in 1981. In its early years, the venue hosted concerts, sports events, and conventions, drawing from the Tri-State area. Despite initial success, attendance challenges arose in the 1980s due to competition from larger facilities in nearby cities, prompting a shift toward diversified programming. The attached convention center supported meetings and exhibitions, enhancing its role as a regional venue. Major renovations in 2021 modernized the facility, expanding capacity to 7,500 seats and improving sustainability features.[3]Naming rights
The venue has undergone several name changes due to corporate sponsorships:- 1977–1993: Huntington Civic Center
- 1993–2004: Huntington Civic Arena
- 2004–2019: Big Sandy Superstore Arena (sponsored by Big Sandy Superstores)
- 2019–2024: Mountain Health Arena (naming rights acquired by Mountain Health Network for $175,000 annually over 10 years)[4]
- 2024–present: Marshall Health Network Arena (renamed following Mountain Health Network's rebranding to Marshall Health Network in February 2024)[5]