Nationwide Arena, Multi-purpose sports venue in downtown Columbus, United States
Nationwide Arena is a multi-purpose venue in downtown Columbus with more than 18,000 seats, located in the Arena District between the Short North and Brewery District neighborhoods. The seating surrounds the ice surface on three levels with luxury suites, while the roof features exposed steel beams and the facade combines glass and brick.
The arena opened in September 2000 and was built on a former prison parking lot that had sat vacant for decades. Construction was part of a larger downtown revival project and brought the Columbus Blue Jackets as a new team into the NHL.
The Blue Jackets name honors Union Army soldiers from the Civil War who wore blue uniforms. Fans often wear jerseys in these colors when they come to games, and the arena displays flags and symbols that make this connection visible.
Visitors can walk to the arena from the High Street Corridor or use surrounding parking garages. The location is central in the district, so restaurants and shops are easy to reach before and after events.
The OhioHealth IceHaus is an additional ice rink inside the building used for both professional training and public skating sessions as well as youth teams. Visitors can skate here outside main events or watch youth teams during practice.
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