Nationwide Arena is a multifunctional sports complex in Columbus , Ohio , USA. It was opened in September 2000 and is the home arena for the Columbus Blue Jackets National Hockey League team. In 2015, the arena hosted the NHL All-Star Game .
| Nationwide Arena | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | 200 West Nationwide Blvd, Columbus , Ohio 43215 |
| Built by | 2000 |
| Is open | September 9, 2000 |
| Cost of construction | 175 million dollars |
| Architect | 360 Architecture (formerly Heinlein Schrock Stearns) & NBBJ |
| Owner | Franklin |
| Developer | |
| Capacity | 18,144 (ice hockey) |
| Home team | Columbus Blue Jackets ( NHL ) (2001–2003) |
| Site | |
Arena Owner
The arena is named after its owner Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company , whose headquarters is located next to the building. Nationwide's real estate division, Nationwide Realty Investors, financed the construction of the arena, making it one of the few sports facilities in the US built with private money.
Design
The arena has a brick design and serves as a hub in the entertainment district, located a quarter of a mile from the Ohio State Capitol. On March 16, 2002, during the Columbus Blue Jackets match (game against Calgary Flames, 3: 1 win), Brittany Cecil, a cheerleader, died because of the puck hit, which resulted in the installation of a nylon net that would fly through the glass wall mounted on all sports facilities in the NHL, AHL and ECHL.