The Sullivan Arena (George M. Sullivan Arena) is an indoor arena at 1600 Gambell Street in the Fairview neighbourhood of Anchorage. It opened on February 8, 1983 and seats 6,290 for ice hockey and 7,987 for basketball.[1]
| Location | 1600 Gambell Street, Anchorage |
|---|---|
| Opened | February 8, 1983 |
| Hockey capacity | 6,290 seated |
| Basketball capacity | 7,987 |
| Cost | $25 million |
| Named for | Mayor George M. Sullivan |
Building
The arena sits just east of Mulcahy Stadium in the Chester Creek Sports Complex. Groundbreaking was in August 1981. It was designed by The Luckman Partnership and Harold Wirum & Associates, cost $25 million and was renovated in 2015 for $9.1 million. The source gives slightly different hockey figures in its text (6,251 seated), noting that wheelchair areas bring the seated total to 6,290.[1]
Tenants
The Alaska Anchorage Seawolves played there from 1983 to 2019, the Anchorage and Alaska Aces of the ECHL from 1995 to 2017, the Alaska Wild of the Indoor Football League from 2007 to 2010 and the Anchorage Wolverines of the NAHL from 2024. It is named for former Anchorage mayor George M. Sullivan.[1]
Events and use
The arena hosted the 1989 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships together with the Harry J. McDonald Memorial Center in Eagle River, and the Great Alaska Shootout until it moved to the Alaska Airlines Center in 2014. It operated on and off as a homeless shelter from 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, closing in May 2023.[1]
FAQs
When did the Sullivan Arena open? February 8, 1983.
What is its capacity? 6,290 seated for hockey and 7,987 for basketball.
Who is it named for? Former Anchorage mayor George M. Sullivan.
Sources
Key facts
- 7,987 seats for basketball
- Cost $25 million
Quick checkWhen did the Sullivan Arena open?Show answer
February 8, 1983
Sources
- Wikipedia. Sullivan Arena. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue