PeoplesBank Arena (XL Center), Hartford
PeoplesBank Arena is Hartford's downtown arena — the venue known for decades as the XL Center, renamed in June 2025. At about 16,000 seats, it's Connecticut's largest indoor concert arena, and a $145 million renovation reopened it in late 2025 with a growing concert calendar.
Downtown Hartford's big indoor room has a new name and a new look. If you're searching for the XL Center, this is it — here's what to know about the building now called PeoplesBank Arena.
New name, same arena
On June 2, 2025, the XL Center was officially renamed PeoplesBank Arena under a 10-year naming-rights partnership. It's the same downtown Hartford arena Connecticut sports and concert fans have known for decades — home to UConn men's and women's basketball, UConn hockey, and the Hartford Wolf Pack — just under a new banner.
Renovated & reopened (~16,000)
The roughly 50-year-old arena underwent a $145 million renovation, closing in the summer of 2025 and reopening in October 2025. At about 16,000 seats, it's the largest indoor concert venue in the state, and the refresh came with a renewed push on entertainment — a "growing calendar of global concerts," with marquee names already on the books. For big indoor tours, downtown Hartford is back on the map.
Best for: arena-level concerts in the heart of the capital.
Never miss a PeoplesBank Arena show
See every upcoming PeoplesBank Arena concert — plus 40+ Connecticut venues — in the free CT Concert Center app.
Download on theApp StorePlanning your visit
- Where: downtown Hartford, walkable from the city's restaurants and easy off I-84/I-91.
- The capital scene: see our Hartford live-music guide and the live Hartford events list.
- How it ranks: it's near the top of our biggest venues in CT list.
PeoplesBank Arena FAQ
Is it the old XL Center?
Yes — renamed PeoplesBank Arena in June 2025.
How big is it?
About 16,000 — the largest indoor arena in CT.
Was it renovated?
Yes — a $145M reno; it reopened in October 2025.
How do I find shows?
The free CT Concert Center app lists it in one feed.