Mellon Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is one of the older arenas. Ground was broken for the facility in 1957 and the doors opened in 1961. The city of Pittsburgh owns the facility and is the home of the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. Because of the shape of the arena it has a nickname of The Igloo. Mellon Arena has hosted concerts, basketball, tennis, boxing, wrestling, and soccer matches. The roof of the Mellon Arena is retractable and was the world's first major indoor stadium with such a roof.

The first event in the new arena was the Ice Capades, but since its opening entertainers like Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Garth Brooks have performed there. The Beatles made an appearance in 1964 and Elvis Presley performed for New Years Eve in 1976. The World Wrestling Entertainments shows have proven very popular at the Mellon Arena throughout the years as well. The Mellon Arena is scheduled to be demolished once the new Consul Energy Center across the street is completed.

There are several lots to park in for events at the Mellon Arena. The North and South Lots charge seven dollars, the East Lot charges six dollars, the West Lot is seven dollars and seventy-five cents and the Melody Tent Lot is five dollars and seventy-five cents. Some events at the Mellon Arena may have a different charge for parking. Charter and school buses can park free on the street.

The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Event days the box office opens at 10:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm. The box office is only open on Sundays if there is an event. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster, by phone, online or at any Ticketmaster outlets. A Will Call window is located at Gate 1 at the Mellon Arena. It can be accessed via Centre Avenue or Mario Lemieux Place.

Upcoming events at the Mellon Arena are The Wiggles, American Idols Live, Taylor Swift, WWE Presents Bragging Rights, Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, Winter Wonder Slam and Doo Wop VIII. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra will perform around Christmastime. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Xplosion will also have events at Mellon Arena.

Hotels that are in the vicinity of the Mellon Arena are the Doubletree Hotel, Marriott City Center, Omni William Penn, Sheraton Hotel Station Square and the Westin Hotel. Restaurants that serve patrons of the Mellon Arena include Steelhead Brasserie and Wine Bar, The Souper Bowl Restaurant and the Carlton Restaurant. Many of the hotels that are close to the Mellon Arena also have food and beverage service.

Concessions at Mellon Arena feature hot dogs, pizza, nachos, popcorn, beer and pop. There are merchandise kiosks throughout the Mellon Arena. There is also a main team store called Pen Station. The kiosks are at nearly every section of the Mellon Arena. There is also an interactive game area called the Power Play Zone.