Giant Center
Giant Center is a 10,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place in the Harrisburg metropolitan area. It is home to the Hershey Bears ice hockey team, the longest-existing member of the American Hockey League, operating since 1938. Giant Center replaced the Hersheypark Arena as the Bears' home venue in 2002.
The Interior of Giant Center in May 2016 | |
Giant Center Location within Pennsylvania Giant Center Location within the United States | |
| Address | 550 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Location | Hershey, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°17′11″N 76°40′9″W |
| Owner | Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority |
| Operator | Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company |
| Capacity | 12,500 (concerts) 10,500 (hockey) |
| Field size | 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 8, 2000 |
| Opened | October 15, 2002 |
| Construction cost | $65 million ($110 million in 2023 dollars) |
| Architect | HOK Sport |
| Project manager | Reynolds Construction Management, Inc. |
| Structural engineer | Century Engineering |
| Services engineer | Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. |
| General contractor | Hunt/Whiting-Turner |
| Tenants | |
| Hershey Bears (AHL) (2002–present) Harrisburg Stampede (PIFL) (2014) | |
Giant Center is owned by the Derry Township Industrial and Commercial Development Authority, as much of the money for its construction was provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is operated by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, with the naming rights owned by the Giant-Carlisle grocery store chain based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Giant Center has 7,700 seats in the Lower Level and 2,800 seats in the Upper Level. The arena also has 688 Club Seats and 40 Luxury Suites. Wheelchair and companion seating is available on all levels.