Connecticut XL Center Renamed PeoplesBank Arena Amid $145M Renovation

Hartford's longtime sports and entertainment venue formerly known as the XL Center has been renamed PeoplesBank Arena following a new multi-year naming rights agreement. PeoplesBank, a mutual community bank headquartered in Holyoke, Massachusetts, is investing $20 million over 10 years, coinciding with a $145 million renovation of the 16,000-seat arena managed by Oak View Group and the Capital Region Development Authority. The arena, which opened in 1975 as the Hartford Civic Center and was renamed the XL Center in 2007, serves as a key venue for UConn men’s and women’s basketball, UConn men’s ice hockey, the American Hockey League’s Hartford Wolf Pack, and numerous concerts and events. PeoplesBank’s CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to Hartford’s revitalization and community, while Oak View Group highlighted the partnership as a shared vision to enhance fan experiences and create lasting local impact. The renovated arena is set to reopen in fall 2025, just in time for UConn’s women’s basketball team to defend their national title. The renaming marks a new chapter for an iconic venue with a rich history, including surviving a roof collapse in 1978 and hosting legendary sports teams like the Hartford Whalers.