The Ford Center

The Ford Center is a cornerstone for continued revitalization downtown. Its sweeping curved forms evoke the unique nature of the horseshoe bend in the Ohio River while providing an aesthetic that is of its time, reflecting its citizens’ forward-thinking nature. The use of native Indiana limestone at the arena’s base creates a visual grounding for the building while also respecting the materiality of Evansville’s civic buildings. The focused use of glass is intended to give frequent views both out of and into the building and to become a beacon for the city and its development.

The 290,000 square foot arena is located at the corner of Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. It is the home to the Evansville Thunderbolts, our professional hockey team, and to the University of Evansville mens' and women's basketball programs.  It is also a popular arena stop for national touring entertainment and concerts as well as a premier facility to host exhibitions, sporting events, and conferences.

Approximate Event Seating Capacities
Maximum Capacity/Center Stage Event	11,000 seats
End Stage Concert	10,000 seats
Basketball	10,000 seats
Ice Hockey	9,400 seats

Reserved Seating

• 16 16-person suites
• One 24-person suite
• Two eight-person mini suites
• Two 10-person mini suites
• 92 main concourse loge seats
• 516 club seats with access to suite-level clubs

Fan Accommodations

• 6 concession stands and one bar on the main concourse level with provisions for portable concession stands on the main and event levels
• Buffet service at suite level club
• Hospitality room at event level for special events
• 6 men’s restrooms at main concourse level
• 7 women’s restrooms at main concourse level
• 5 family restrooms at main concourse level
• Two men’s, two women’s and one family restroom on the event level
• 34-inch treads and minimum 20-inch seat widths

Accessibility
Designed to be fully accessible. Seating contains the following:

• 114 wheelchair spaces on 4 levels
• 114 wheelchair companion seating spaces
• 114 easy access seats for patrons with limited mobility
• 4 passenger elevators and 1 freight elevator
• 2 escalators

Other Features

• Basketball locker rooms for University of Evansville men’s and women’s teams plus 2 visitor/auxiliary locker rooms
• 2 hockey locker rooms and support area
• Officials’ locker rooms and green rooms that can also be used for dressing rooms during concerts
• 3 loading docks
• Drive-on truck access to the Arena floor
• Large marshalling and storage area
• Dedicated show power for concerts
• 180,000 pounds of rigging capacity over the stage
• More than 200,000 pounds of load capacity on the roof

Sustainable Design

• Goal is to achieve USBGC LEED Silver Certification
• Use of a previously developed site
• Close proximity to public transportation routes
• Control of storm water from site and roof
• Use of recycled building materials throughout: concrete, steel structure, aluminum skin, as well as interior finishes
• Use of locally and regionally sourced materials where possible
• Use of day lighting and views out of the building in public concourse spaces
• Energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and lighting systems with digital controls
• Water-saving plumbing fixtures
• Orientation of glass and the lobby to north and northeast to reduce cooling loads

Facility Type

City Sections