Tsongas Arena



Paul E. Tsongas Arena (usually referred to as just Tsongas Arena) is a multi-use indoor sport and concert venue in Lowell, Massachusetts. The Arena was opened and dedicated to the memory of prominent local and national politician Paul Tsongas on January 27 1998.

The arena was built with funding from both the city and the university – $4 million from each – plus another $20 million contributed from the state of Massachusetts largely in support of UMass.

The facility is home to the AHL Lowell Devils ice hockey team, who play in the Atlantic Division. The facility is also home to the UMass Lowell River Hawks Division I hockey team who compete in Hockey East.

Tsongas Arena also hosts concerts and other public events, including the graduations of several local high schools. Hockey seating capacity is approximately 6,500 while concert seating capacity is approximately 7,800.

Partnership issues have left the University and City in a dispute. UMass claims that the City of Lowell has treated the University like a tenant and not like a partner. The University claims this is contrary to the spirit of the original capital put up by both parties when the arena was originally funded.

Recently UMass Lowell and the City of Lowell have been in negotiations to transfer ownership of the arena and the land adjacent to it to the University. In late October 2009, it has been reported that the deal has been perfected, with UMass Lowell comitting to $5 million in repairs to the facility.