Compuware Arena

Compuware Arena
Former names	Compuware Sports Arena
Location	14900 Beck Rd. Plymouth, MI
Opened	1996
Owner	Peter Karmanos
Capacity	3,807 (seated), 4,500 (incl. standing)
Field dimensions	Ice, 200' x 85'
Tenants
Plymouth Whalers (OHL) (1997-present) Detroit Ignition (MISL/XSL) (2006-2009) Detroit Waza (PASL-Pro) (2008-2009) Detroit Rockers (NPSL) (2000-2001)

Interior of the Compuware Arena

The Compuware Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Plymouth Township, Michigan. Originally known as the "Compuware Sports Arena," its name was officially shortened on September 11, 2007, to better market the venue for non-sporting events it hosted.

History

Peter Karmanos, the President of Compuware and owner of the Detroit Whalers, arranged to build the Whalers a new home as soon as the 1995-96 season ended after playing that season at two temporary venues, the tiny Oak Park Ice Arena and the massive The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Compuware Sports Arena was constructed in 6 months time, ready for the 1996-97 season. The team remained the Detroit Whalers after moving to Plymouth Township and then were renamed the Plymouth Whalers in 1997-98.

The complex features two arenas: the main arena, in which the Whalers play their home games, is standard NHL-size and has seating for roughly four thousand people; it also has a larger (in terms of ice area) Olympic-size ice surface, which has much more limited seating on only one side of the ice. The latter is the home ice of Detroit Catholic Central High School, although they occasionally play games in the main arena when strong attendance is anticipated. The two arenas share concession stands, both of which have openings for both arenas simultaneously, allowing one set of staff to serve both arenas simultaneously. Attached to the complex is "CJ's Brewery Tap Room". The arena is home to the Detroit Ignition, a Major Indoor Soccer League / XSL team, as well as the Compuware Ambassadors minor hockey program. Previously, the arena hosted the now defunct Detroit Rockers of the National Professional Soccer League during its last season in 2000-2001

The arena also hosts the annual MHSAA high school state championships for boys ice hockey. On October 22, 2006, TNA hosted Bound for Glory (2006) at the arena.

During the summer months, the Arenas parking lot is home to a drive-in movie theatre that features double feature first run movies on three giant screens.

Compuware also hosts the commencement ceremonies for Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Livonia, Michigan), Northville High School, as well as for other high schools.

The Compuware Sports Arena works closely with The Crofoot and AEG Live to produce concerts of all types.

Notable music performances

• Gucci Mane, October 26, 2007
• Andrew Bailey, August 13, 2008
• Journey, November 2, 2008
• Girl Talk (musician), March 3, 2011
• Hollywood Undead , Asking Alexandria, Borgore, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, We Came as Romans, November 9, 2011

External links

• Compuware Arena Official web site
• Compuware Ambassadors Official web site
• Compuware Arena The OHL Arena & Travel Guide

Events and tenants
Preceded by TNA Impact! Zone	Host of Bound for Glory (2006) 2006	Succeeded by Gwinnett Center