UCF Arena

Just thirteen miles east of downtown Orlando is where you will find the UCF Arena. The University of Central Florida opened the UCF Arena in tandem with its new open-air football stadium, helping to give a fresh face to their already impressive campus. While the Bright House Networks Stadium is used primarily for college football games, the UCF Arena is a multi-purpose venue. In addition to serving as the home for the UCF Knight's volleyball and basketball teams, the UCF Arena Orlando also hosts concerts, commencement ceremonies, and other events. With more than 7,400 fixed seats, the UCF Arena doubles the capacity of the university's old arena. In addition to the fixed seats, there are also club seats, luxury suites, seats for the disabled, and retractable seats available depending on the event. When a scheduled event isn't taking place at the UCF Arena, it can be rented for private functions, such as dinner events, exhibitions, and parties.

While enjoying a vacation in Orlando, it's always a good idea to see what UCF Arena events coincide with your trip. For those who want to catch a concert while visiting Orlando , the UCF Arena is one of the best places to go in the city. Top name acts, such as Motley Crue, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, and Jim Brickman swing by the arena rather consistently, so you might be surprised to see who's in town when you're in town. In addition to seeing what's on the agenda at the UCF Arena, those who are interested in catching a live music performance when they are in Orlando will also want to check out the schedule at the House of Blues. When big name acts aren't performing at the House of Blues, you can often catch a free concert by an up-and-coming artist. At both the UCF Arena and the House of Blues, it's always a good idea to get your tickets in advance if you want to see a top act perform. Even though the UCF Arena Orlando can hold over 10,000 people for a concert, tickets can sell out quickly.

As mentioned, sports are often the focus when it comes to UCF Arena events. For basketball fans, the chance to see the men's and women's teams play is a nice addition to Orlando itineraries. The basketball season heats up in December and carries on through early March. You can bet that both students and alumni alike come to the games, so you will also want to consider getting your UCF Arena tickets in advance when going to a basketball game. If you can't catch a college basketball game at the UCF Arena Orlando, you might try to get tickets to see the Harlem Globetrotters, who are known to showcase their talents and their unique brand of humor on the UCF Arena court from time to time. As for the volleyball season, it runs from late August to November, so you can plan accordingly if that's your sport of preference. The University of Central Florida is a Division I school, so you can bet that regardless of the sport you're watching, some talented players are going to be on display.

For those who are enjoying Orlando vacations during the holiday season, heading over to the UCF Arena to enjoy the "Light Up UCF" festivities is always worth considering. From mid-November to early January, the UCF Arena transforms itself a bit and becomes a center for holiday fun. During the day, visitors can skate on the outdoor skating rink, and when the evening sets in, a nightly light show occurs. Lucky kids will get to see Santa at the UCF Arena, as he makes a guest appearance a few days before Christmas, and on certain nights, free movies are played on a big screen. The movies include Christmas classics like A Christmas Story and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, making them UCF Arena events that the whole family can enjoy. The nightly light shows are free as well, and while you'll have to pay to go ice-skating, the price is an agreeable one. Whether you want to go ice skating, catch a sporting event, or see a concert at the UCF Arena, you might need to get tickets first. You can order your UCF Arena tickets for special events before you arrive, or you can stop by the UCF ticket office once you get into town. The ticket office is easy to find, as it's located at the front of the arena.