Acrisure Arena officially opened its doors Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in advance of the venue’s debut show, co-headlined by comedy superstars Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle.
“This dream started five years ago and it’s very rewarding to finally share this building with the Valley community,” said Tim Leiweke, chairman and CEO of the Oak View Group, the arena’s developer.
Wednesday’s event started around 11 a.m. with a three-plane flyover from the Palm Springs Air Museum’s historic aircrafts and a performance from the Indio High School marching band. The ceremony featured stakeholders from OVG, Acrisure, the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, Acrisure Arena, the Coachella Valley Firebirds and their parent club, the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
The Doobie Brothers’ Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston and John McFee were also in attendance and helped to officially open the building.
“For Tim and me, this isn’t just another building because we’re proud residents of Coachella Valley, and this wouldn’t have happened had we not experienced life here in the Valley and what it all means to the community,” said Irving Azoff, OVG co-founder and general manager of the arena. “Similar-sized markets across the country simply don’t have opportunities like Palm Springs and we are proud to bring this state-of-the-art venue to fans in the Coachella Valley.”
Following the ceremony, the Berger Foundation Iceplex — which will coordinate on-ice programs and events for the public at the venue — hosted a skating exhibition.
The show by Rock and Chappelle was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The event will be “phone-free,” with all phones, smart watches and accessories being secured in individual pouches that can only be opened in designated phone-use areas within the venue or at the end of the show.
Continuing the arena’s milestones for its opening month, The Doobie Brothers will perform the first music concert at the arena at 8 p.m. Thursday, and Grupo Firme will perform following night, also at 8 p.m.
A Coachella Valley Firebirds Fan Fest is set for Saturday and Sunday before the team’s home opener against the Tucson Roadrunners later Sunday. Saturday’s fest will be from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday will be from 2 p.m. until the puck drops.
The Fan Fest will feature live entertainment, carnival games, street hockey, a sampling of the new Firebirds-branded Buzzbox drink, photos with Santa Claus and Firebirds mascot Fuego.
Additional December home games, all set to begin at 7 p.m., will be on Tuesday also against the Roadrunners, on Dec. 23 against the Henderson Silver Knights and on Dec. 28 against the Ontario Reign. The game against the Silver Knights will have an “ugly sweater” theme and will include a teddy bear toss.
On New Years Eve, Maroon 5 will perform at 8 p.m., bringing an end to the year and to the arena’s first month of operation.