DCU Center

In October 2004, one of the most successful entertainment and convention facilities in the world was re-named the DCU Center. The arena itself opened its doors in September 1982 with the legendary Frank Sinatra Inaugural Concert and quickly became one of the nation's most successful facilities by hosting concerts, family shows and sporting events. Since that time, the venue has consistently ranked in the top 5 venues of its size internationally by Billboard Magazine, a recognized industry trade publication. Over the last two decades, artists of all musical genres have played to enthusiastic crowds at the venue. In addition artists such as Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and most recently Hilary Duff have chosen Worcester as the location to "kick-off" their world tours.

Expanding by 2,500 seats in 1987, the facility received an exterior facelift, two cantilevered balconies, and two club seat locations. In addition to its success with concerts, the facility became, and continues to be, a regular stop on the family show circuit including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sesame Street Live, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters, The Wiggles, plus new touring products on an annual basis. Audiences have witnessed a wide variety of memorable sporting contests, including NCAA Basketball and Hockey tournaments, World Championship and Olympic Boxing, preseason NBA and NHL match-ups, Holy Cross College Basketball, professional tennis championships, Professional Bull Riding, World Wrestling Entertainment and the MIAA High School Basketball and Hockey State Finals.

Already known for its flexible, contemporary facility, the DCU Center opened a state-of-the-art convention center in 1997. Adding over 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, the complex combined both the new convention center and the original arena for a total of 100,310 square feet of exhibit space. In addition, the new convention center includes 23,636 square feet in 11 meeting rooms, a 12,144 square foot ballroom, state-of-the-art kitchen facilities and new administration offices. During this expansion, a pedestrian friendly plaza was installed on the east side of the arena providing design connectivity for the two facilities, as well as a location for exterior exhibiting and promotional opportunities. Combined with the existing 14,800-seat arena, 2 meeting rooms, 6 team locker rooms and 5 private dressing rooms, the DCU Center can accommodate almost any type of meeting, convention or trade show.

With the opening of the new convention hotel, adjacent to the facility, and final funding which is expected to be approved for the connecting Sky Bridge - these projects will complete the final piece of expansion in downtown Worcester, MA by connecting the new hotel, the Worcester Municipal Parking Garage and the convention center. Both the arena and the convention center boast active schedules with ever growing and diverse events.

The DCU Center is owned by the city of Worcester and is managed by SMG, the world's leading private management and developing firm for public assembly facilities. Based in Philadelphia, SMG operates 168 venues, and controls over 1.3 million entertainment seats worldwide plus over nine million square feet of exhibit space.