Blue Cross Arena

Address: 1 War Mem Sq, Rochester, NY 14614, United States

Capacity: 12,428

Teams: Rochester Americans, Rochester Knighthawks

Open date: 18 October 1955

Formerly known as the Rochester Community War Memorial, the Blue Cross Arena was built in 1995. A key landmark in Rochester, New York, the arena has served as a multipurpose indoor sports and entertainment venue, one which plays host to an extensive docket of events that do not fail to leave a mark on the city’s cultural terrain.

The Blue Cross Arena has a peak seating capacity of 14,000. In the span of several years, it has been the forte of a variety of sports teams, especially the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). More importantly, in its earlier years, it was home to the Rochester Royals of the NBA.

Besides sports, the place hosts concerts, exhibitions and even Rochester community functions. Thanks to its versatile layout and cutting-edge facilities, it has attracted performing artists and fans alike. As such, the arena has made for itself a cornerstone reputation in the entertainment scene of its host metropolis.

Renovations and new outlook

Since its inception, the Blue Cross Arena has undergone renovations. These upgrades have done well to enhance the experience for its patrons. Despite its long history, it has managed to remain an insignia of resilience and adaptability, as it continued to be a convention center of sorts for residents and natives of Rochester.

It features dim lighting, low roofing, and split-level seating topped with luxury suites. Though the seat may feel cramped depending on the event, the arena’s sightlines are decent. The horseshoe-shaped bowl comes with a steep upper deck and a party space. While the south end has steep seating, the north is close enough to the ice pitch.

Partially funded by local school kids' pennies, the Blue Cross Arena sits on the erstwhile land of Kimball Tobacco Co. Its first major refurbishment happened in 1996, when it was expanded by the removal of the permanent stage. On July 24, 1998, it was officially renamed Blue Cross Arena, and was reopened on September 18, 1998, following a $41 million Rossetti Architects-led facelift.

Upcoming events at the venue

Here's a list of upcoming events at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, NY:

Mar 30, Sat, 7:00pm: Halifax Thunderbirds at Rochester Knighthawks

Apr 3, Wed, 7:05pm: Cleveland Monsters at Rochester Americans

Apr 6, Sat, 7:00pm: New York Riptide at Rochester Knighthawks

Apr 7, Sun, 7:00pm: Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra - Eclipse Spectacular Celebration

Apr 11, Thu, 7:00pm: Celebration of Gospel

Apr 12, Fri, 7:05pm: Belleville Senators at Rochester Americans

Apr 13, Sat, 5:05pm: Belleville Senators at Rochester Americans

Apr 17, Wed, 7:05pm: Toronto Marlies at Rochester Americans

Apr 19, Fri, 7:05pm: Cleveland Monsters at Rochester Americans

Apr 21, Sun, 3:00pm: Philadelphia Wings at Rochester Knighthawks

May 5, Sun, 7:30pm: Sexyy Red

Jun 29, Sat, 8:00pm: A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (Rescheduled from 2/17)

Jul 20, Sat, 12:30pm: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Jul 20, Sat, 7:30pm: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Jul 21, Sun, 2:30pm: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party

Nov 15, Fri, 7:30pm: Sebastian Maniscalco

How to get Cheap Tickets to Blue Cross Arena

The event roster for the Blue Cross Arena is stacked. Looking to attend a show at the venue? TicketX is the best option for you, ensuring an enjoyable concert experience. TicketX offers users tickets for their favourite shows at the cheapest prices, thanks to an industry-low commission rate. There are several payment options available, a feature for live seat-tracking and a user-friendly interface.

How to get to Blue Cross Arena

There are several mobility options to reach the Blue Cross Arena, but the most reliable is the city’s bus transit system. Its Regional Transit Service (RTS) plies bus routes (like R 24) that stop near the area. Typically, fares range from  $1.00 to $2.00 per ride. You can buy day passes or discounted fare cards if you want to frequent the venue.

While Rochester lacks a comprehensive train system as obtainable in fairly larger cities, it is served by Amtrak, an intercity service. The Rochester Amtrak station is at 320 Central Avenue, about a mile away from the arena. Though an option for some travelers, it might not be the most direct or convenient way to reach the venue.

Coming with your own ride with the help of GPS? The Blue Cross Arena’s on-site parking costs between $5 and $10, depending on the caliber of event you are attending. Nevertheless, it’s wiser to check the arena’s official website or directly contact them for the specifics. Meanwhile, there are several parking lots throughout downtown Rochester that are not far from the venue.