Cumberland County Civic Center, Sports arena in Portland, Maine.
The Cross Insurance Arena is a multipurpose venue in Portland, Maine, with a single seating tier that includes 24 rows divided into 30 sections and holds 6,733 people during events. The ground-level floor spans roughly 3,200 square meters (34,500 square feet) and accommodates trade shows, conventions, sporting matches, and concerts.
Eduardo Catalano designed the building, which opened on March 3, 1977, with a concert by the band ZZ Top and has been in continuous use as an event venue since then. Over the decades, it has hosted international performers and major sporting events, establishing itself as a fixture in the cultural life of Maine.
The building serves as home ice for the Maine Mariners, a professional hockey team that draws local fans and visitors from across the region during the season. Beyond sports, it hosts rock concerts, family shows, and occasional wrestling events, making it a familiar gathering place for many residents in the area.
The venue sits on Civic Center Square in downtown Portland and can be reached easily on foot or by car. Before major events, it helps to arrive early, as entrances fill quickly and parking in the surrounding area is limited.
Elvis Presley was scheduled to perform here on August 17, 1977, but died the day before the planned concert. This unexpected moment later became part of the building's story and is occasionally mentioned in tours or accounts of the venue's early years.
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