COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Renovations are on the horizon for Nationwide Arena, aiming to enhance the experience for Columbus Blue Jackets fans, concert-goers, and basketball enthusiasts.
Entering the arena, fans will soon encounter new features designed to improve their visit, according to Werth PR. The proposed modernization project, set to unfold over several years, includes plans for a new entrance and outdoor terrace, streamlined building entry, a new outdoor venue and plaza bar, expanded team store, upgraded seating and technology, and various enhancements to the event-watching experience.
Dan Williamson of Werth PR stated the renovation costs are estimated at $400 million, funded by both private and public sources, with construction expected to take three to four years.
Renderings provided to NBC4 highlight a new main entrance that extends into an adjacent office building. An outdoor terrace will connect a new upper concourse food hall to the Founders Club. The redesigned entrance aims to expedite guest entry and security screening, while the terrace introduces a new downtown outdoor venue, a plaza bar, and a large LED screen for watch parties and community events.
The team store will be relocated and expanded to facilitate quicker access to team merchandise, according to Williamson. Improvements in ADA access, including new elevators and escalators, and a pedestrian bridge to the McConnell Garage, will ease navigation within the arena.
Inside, fans can expect renovated restrooms, quicker and more modern concessions, and expanded terraces offering views without missing any action. A new long bar with direct views of the ice is also planned.
Seating upgrades, technological enhancements, and new spaces for media and touring acts are part of the proposed improvements, along with eventual plans to replace the north parking garage. The timeline for these enhancements and construction commencement remains uncertain.
Opened in September 2000, Nationwide Arena has been the Columbus Blue Jackets’ home, accommodating around 18,500 fans for games, including Stanley Cup Playoffs matches. The arena has hosted numerous basketball events, notably the 2018 women’s NCAA Final Four, where Notre Dame claimed victory with a buzzer-beater against Mississippi State.
Scheduled to host the women’s Final Four again in 2027, Nationwide Arena has also welcomed the American figure skating championships, NCAA women’s volleyball championships, WWE, and UFC events.