Connecticut’s XL Center Renamed PeoplesBank Arena

June 3, 2025 E Jazz Reporter

Music

Oak View Group negotiated the new naming rights agreement for the city-owned concert venue.

(from left) Shay AjAyi, COO, Hartford, CT, Mayors Office, City of Hartford; Mike Freimuth, Executive Director, CRDA: Andy Bessette EVP, Chief Administration Officer, Travelers Insurance; Peter Luukko, Co-Chair, Oak View Group; Ned Lamont, Governor, State of Connecticut; Thomas Senecal, CEO and Chairman, PeoplesBank; Ben Weiss, General Manager, PeoplesBank Arena for Oak View Group.

Courtesy Photo

The home of the University of Connecticut’s storied men’s and women’s basketball teams has a new name: PeoplesBank Arena.

Headquartered in Holyoke, Mass., PeoplesBank is a community bank company with 20 branches and about $4.5 billion in assets; it is referred to as a mutual bank and is owned by its depositors.

The naming rights agreement, announced by the arena’s co-manager Oak View Group (OVG) on Monday (June 2), aligns PeoplesBank with one of Connecticut’s busiest concert venues. Originally known as the Hartford Civic Center when it first opened in 1976, the city-owned facility changed its name to the XL Center in 2007 as part of a naming rights agreement with the XL Group insurance company. In 2013, Global Spectrum won the management contract for the 16,000-seat building. In late 2021, Global Spectrum’s parent company, Spectra, was purchased by OVG, which manages the arena with the Capital Region Development Authority under a lease with the city of Hartford, Conn.

PeoplesBank Arena has hosted a number of major concerts in recent years, including Bad Bunny‘s Apr. 20, 2024, stop at the arena on his Most Wanted Tour. The building hosted legendary Norteño band Los Tigres del Norte on Apr. 27, 2024; bachata icons Aventura on May 27; Sabrina Carpenter‘s Short n’ Sweet tour on Oct. 2; and Chris Tomlin and CAIN‘s Holy Forever World Tour on Oct. 23.

PeoplesBank Arena is also home to the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, the 12-time National Champion UConn Women’s Basketball team, the six-time National Champion UConn Men’s Basketball team and UConn Men’s Ice Hockey.

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“PeoplesBank’s deep-rooted commitment to putting people and communities first perfectly aligns with our purpose-driven mindset that fuels everything we do at Oak View Group,” said Peter Luukko, co-chairman of OVG, in a statement. “This partnership is more than naming rights—it’s a shared vision to deliver dynamic experiences, elevate the fan journey, and create lasting impact where it matters most: in the communities we serve.”

Renovations are ongoing at the arena. The next phase of construction includes “upgrades to the seating area, the addition of new lower-level luxury suites, and the development of enhanced concession areas designed to elevate the overall guest experience,” according to a press release from OVG.

“From upgraded seating and premium hospitality to world-class food and beverage, enhanced concert rigging, and top-tier amenities for performers and athletes, every detail is getting an overhaul,” the release continues. “PeoplesBank Arena’s $145 million transformation is set to be completed this fall as it will re-establish Hartford as a must-play destination on everyone’s touring schedule.”

More at PeoplesBankArena.com.

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