Times Union Center



The Times Union Center is a large multi-purpose arena in Albany, New York with several connections to college hockey.

The arena opened in 1990 as Knickerbocker Arena. It has a capacity of 17,500.

In 1992, Knickerbocker Arena hosted the Frozen Four for the first time. In 1994 and 1996, the arena was the site of the East Regional. The naming rights were sold to Pepsi in 1997 and the building was renamed Pepsi Arena. As Pepsi Arena, the building hosted the 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2006 East Regionals, and the 2001 Frozen Four.

The naming rights were sold again, this time to the Albany Times Union newspaper, and the arena became the Times Union Center in 2007. It is slated to host the 2008 and 2010 East Regionals. Each of these NCAA events have been hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

The Capital Skates Classic, a short-lived rivalry series between Rensselaer and Union was played at Pepsi Arena in 1996 and 1997. The series was then moved to Glens Falls, New York before being discontinued three years later.

In 1999, the ECAC/Crowne Plaza Faceoff Classic was played at Pepsi Arena. The participants were Rensselaer, Boston University, Quinnipiac, and Niagara. The four games were pre-determined and served as a college hockey showcase event for the Capital District.

In 2003, Pepsi Arena became the annual venue for the ECAC Hockey League's Final Four tournament, replacing 1980 Olympic Arena in Lake Placid.