The current site that was chosen for the Baltimore Civic Center was actually not one of the many sites proposed to the Greater Baltimore Committee in 1955. Millard Tawes, and then-Baltimore Mayor J. Annually, the Royal Farms Arena is host to 800,000 people.Ī cornerstone to the arena was laid in the arena in 1961 with a vault that included messages from then-U.S. The Royal Farms Arena is owned by the city of Baltimore and is currently managed by SMG, a private management company.
The new naming rights deal calls for Royal Farms to pay $250,000 annually for five years to the city, and gives Royal Farms first rights to renew/restructure their deal at the end of the contract, or in the event that the city constructs a new arena. When the naming rights agreement with 1st Mariner Bank ended in 2013, the arena was briefly returned to its "Baltimore Arena" name, until Royal Farms purchased the naming rights to the arena in September 2014. It was reported that 1st Mariner Bank paid the city $75,000 a year to keep the naming rights to the complex. In 2003, it was renamed by 1st Mariner Bank, which purchased naming rights to the arena for 10 years. As a major cornerstone for the Inner Harbor redevelopment during the 1980s, it was reopened after renovations and was renamed the Baltimore Arena in 1986. It was built on the site of "Old Congress Hall", where the Continental Congress met in 1776. The arena officially opened in 1962 as the Baltimore Civic Center. It seats up to approximately 14,000 people though this number varies depending on the type of event. The arena is located about a block away from the Baltimore Convention Center on the corner of Baltimore Street and Hopkins Place it is also only a short distance from the Inner Harbor. Royal Farms Arena (formerly Baltimore Arena, 1st Mariner Arena and Baltimore Civic Center) is an arena located in Baltimore. Royal Farms reportedly paid a $250,000 a year to have it's name on the building, so it doesn't come cheap.Baltimore Clippers ( AHL/ SHL) (1962–1977)īaltimore Thunder ( MILL/ NLL) (1987–1999)īaltimore Mariners (AIFA) (2008–2010, 2014)ġ1,271 ( Baltimore Blast games), can be expanded to 14,000 for some events Meanwhile, naming rights are still up for grabs. Rather, renovations are being funded by developers the Oak View Group (OVG), along with additional funds by an investment firm founded by NBA star Kevin Durant called Thirty-Five Ventures.Īlthough the official groundbreaking is Thursday, construction walls and equipment have been on site for several weeks. RELATED: Royal Farms Arena is one step closer to getting a whole new look The renovation project cost $150 million, although no public funds are being spent to complete it. Sports fans also can expect to see NCAA games along with the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). The CIAA basketball tournament has already committed to returning to Baltimore and keeping the games here through 2025. There's also a proposal to close down Hopkins Plaza and create a new outdoor festival area.īesides all of the physical changes happening, more events also are headed to the Baltimore Arena. Moving the stage will allow for more lower-level seating and overall seating will increase from 14,000 to 16,000. While inside the arena, renderings show a sophisticated new look with plush seating, dramatic concourses and a pushed backstage. Outside the arena, renderings show a sparkling new exterior shell, big and bold LED billboards, dazzling lighting, and terraces to enjoy a warm summer evening. The future looks bright for the arena formerly known as the Royal Farms Arena, with more seating, better concessions and eventually a new name on the way for February 2023. Developers are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday afternoon to celebrate the $150 million renovation project. BALTIMORE - The 60-year-old Baltimore Arena in downtown is officially getting a facelift.
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