HARTFORD, Conn. — The arena in Hartford, which serves as a part-time venue for both the celebrated University of Connecticut (UConn) men’s and women’s basketball teams, has officially been renamed PeoplesBank Arena. This announcement was made on Monday by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, alongside representatives from both the management company responsible for the arena and PeoplesBank at an event held on the venue’s floor. This facility was formerly known as the XL Center since 2007, although specific details of the multi-year naming rights agreement have yet to be disclosed.
During the announcement, Thomas Senecal, CEO and Chairman of PeoplesBank, based out of Holyoke, Massachusetts, elaborated on the decision to invest in the arena. He stated, “We chose to invest in this arena because we believe in Hartford. We believe in the revitalization happening here, the momentum building downtown, the renewed energy in the business district, the arts, the restaurants, the culture. And of course, the sports.”
Both the UConn men’s and women’s basketball teams split their home games between this arena in Hartford and the Gampel Pavilion located on the UConn campus in Storrs. The men’s team has an impressive record, securing six national championships, including victories in 2023 and 2024. The women’s team is equally formidable with twelve national titles, including this year’s championship. Additionally, the UConn men’s hockey team hosts several games in Hartford, where the arena also houses the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Initially opened as the Hartford Civic Center, the arena is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of hosting not only sports events but also music concerts and a variety of other activities throughout the year. Currently, the venue is undergoing a substantial $145 million renovation project. Upgrades include the addition of new seating, loge boxes, private box areas, and a refreshed main concourse among other improvements. The arena is expected to reopen in the fall.
Besides its current tenants, the arena has a storied history, having once been the home for the NHL’s Hartford Whalers before they relocated in 1997 to become the Carolina Hurricanes. Notably, the arena suffered a catastrophic failure three years into its operation when its roof collapsed in 1978 due to design flaws—an incident that occurred only hours after a UConn men’s basketball game.