Value City Arena Information

Value City Arena at the Schottenstein Center serves as Columbus’s entertainment centerpiece. Located on Ohio State University’s campus at 555 Borror Drive, this multi-purpose facility hosts collegiate sports, major concerts, and family events throughout the year, seamlessly transitioning between different event types.

Size and Capacity

Value City Arena encompasses approximately 770,000 square feet with variable seating capacities: 19,700 for basketball, 17,500 for hockey, and 18,000-20,000 for concerts. The venue features multiple seating levels and can be reconfigured for intimate shows of 3,000 to 7,000 attendees through an elaborate curtaining system.

Notable Features

The Schottenstein Center boasts several distinctive elements that enhance the visitor experience:

• » Artistic terrazzo floors featuring Ohio State sports legends
• » Four themed entry rotundas contributing to the venue’s vibrant atmosphere
• » Premium seating options, including luxury suites and the Endowment Club
• » A professional-grade ice system with over 12 miles of cooling pipes
• » Dedicated support spaces, including Wellness and Sensory Rooms
• » Sustainable design elements, including LED lighting and comprehensive recycling

Management and Operations

The Jerome Schottenstein Center operates under Ohio State University’s Athletics Department management. Named after Columbus businessman Jerome Schottenstein following a $12.8 million lead gift, the center opened in 1998. Though university-owned, it functions independently without tax dollars, student fees, or general funds, serving as a collegiate facility and commercial entertainment destination.

Venue History

The Jerome Schottenstein Center, home to Value City Arena, opened in November 1998 with a men’s basketball game followed by a sold-out Neil Diamond concert. The 770,000-square-foot facility resulted from a 1996 groundbreaking $12.8 million lead gift honoring businessman Jerome Schottenstein.

Operating independently without tax dollars, student fees, or university general funds, the venue has undergone several renovations, including recent upgrades to the ticket office, Team Shop, and dining options. 

Value City Arena has hosted an impressive array of entertainment icons across multiple genres, establishing its reputation as the premier venue for Columbus sports events and concerts. Rock legends like The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, and Guns N’ Roses have graced its stage, while Bruce Springsteen’s multiple appearances culminated in an official live recording.

The venue demonstrated its versatility by hosting The Three Tenors’ final performance together and the prestigious 2005 NCAA Frozen Four hockey championship. International superstars including Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, and Dua Lipa have further cemented the arena’s standing as a world-class entertainment destination.

Today, the arena hosts three Ohio State University teams, championship tournaments, and premier entertainment events, maintaining its status as a leading Midwest entertainment destination.

Events You Can Enjoy

Value City Arena hosts diverse events year-round, from sporting competitions to elaborate concert productions and family shows. Its versatile design and technical capabilities attract major touring productions to central Ohio that might otherwise bypass smaller markets.

Ohio State University Sports

Value City Arena serves as the home court for three major Ohio State University athletic programs, creating an electric atmosphere with passionate fans filling the stands. Here are some sporting events you can attend:

• Men’s basketball:
  Since 1998, Value City Arena has hosted Big Ten Conference matchups and non-conference games, with approximately 15 to 20 home games each season.

• Women’s basketball:
  The venue brings fast-paced action, attracting dedicated fans since the venue’s opening.

• Men’s ice hockey:
  Converting from hardwood to ice using a professional-quality surface, the venue’s hockey configuration seats 17,500 spectators.

• Tournament hosting:
  Value City Arena frequently stages conference tournaments, NCAA qualification rounds, and special exhibition matches.

Concerts and Musical Performances

As Columbus’s largest indoor venue, Value City Arena attracts major touring artists across all musical genres with flexible configurations accommodating various production needs. You can experience all types of performances here, including rock and pop shows by household names that consistently draw sell-out crowds.

The arena serves as a regular stop for nationwide country music concert tours in Columbus, featuring elaborate stage productions. Hip-hop and R&B performances showcase state-of-the-art sound systems and take advantage of the venue’s exceptional acoustic quality. Legacy acts and reunion tours often select Value City Arena for its perfect balance of large capacity and relatively intimate feel compared to outdoor stadiums.

Family Shows and Special Events

Value City Arena hosts numerous family-friendly productions throughout the year that incorporate elaborate staging, special effects, and interactive elements. Here are a few examples:

• » Disney productions featuring beloved characters and stories for younger audiences

• » Ice shows with professional skaters performing choreographed routines on the venue’s convertible ice surface

• » Circus performances featuring traditional acts combined with contemporary production values

• » Educational programs designed for school groups, families, and more

Comedy Shows

The arena has become a premier destination for comedy performances, hosting stand-up comics in modified seating arrangements for arena-sized audiences. Top performers, including Kevin Hart, Bert Kreischer, and Nate Bargatze, have brought their national tours to this venue, while comedy festivals showcase multiple performers on single bills throughout the year.

Comedy-based podcast live shows with loyal fan followings have also found a home at the arena. The venue offers flexible setups with end-stage configurations and additional floor seating that can be adapted to meet the varied needs of comedy performances, creating an optimal environment for performers and audiences.

Ticketing Information

Securing event tickets at Value City Arena requires understanding purchasing options and ticketing procedures. The venue partners exclusively with Ticketmaster as its official provider, ensuring secure transactions while preventing counterfeit tickets.

How To Purchase Value City Tickets

Value City Arena offers official ticket purchasing channels, with presales for season ticket holders and university affiliates before general public availability. The Ohio State athletic department website provides links for sporting events, while concert tickets are sold through Ticketmaster.

The Schottenstein Center’s website maintains updated event listings, and the ticket office offers personalized assistance. Only tickets from official sources are guaranteed valid at entry points.

Mobile Ticketing Details

Value City Arena exclusively uses mobile ticketing through Ticketmaster’s SafeTix technology, which uses continuously refreshing barcodes. Customers can access tickets via the Ticketmaster app or digital wallets for easy transfer.

We recommend that you download tickets before arriving to avoid connectivity issues. Ensure your devices are fully charged and set your screen brightness to the max to avoid potential complications. Guests without smartphones should bring confirmation emails and photo IDs to the box office.

Ticket Office Location and Hours

The ticket office near the Northeast Carmen rotunda operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours on event days. During events, it remains open from doors through the first portion of the event. Staff provide specialized assistance for accessible seating exchanges and group sales coordination.

Will Call Information

Limited will-call services remain available for specific situations, like out-of-town guests without smartphones and complimentary tickets. Pickup requires providing the credit card used for the purchase and a matching photo ID. Student-athlete guest tickets follow a different procedure, with pickup available 60 minutes before events in the northwest auxiliary hallway.

Dining and Concessions

Value City Arena partners with Levy Restaurants to provide diverse food and beverage options throughout the facility. An interactive venue map helps visitors locate specific concession stands before arrival, enhancing the experience during busy events.

Food Options Inside the Arena

Value City Arena features traditional arena standards like hot dogs, pretzels, and popcorn at basic concession stands on all levels. Specialty locations offer diverse options, including Donatos Pizza, Sear & Stack premium burgers, and the International Flavors station featuring rotating global cuisine.

Portable carts supplement permanent stands during high-attendance events, reducing wait times. The Entry Level (100) concourse contains the most comprehensive food selection, while upper levels offer streamlined options focusing on popular items.

Beverage Selections

The arena provides standard soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and specialty beverages, with water refill stations available throughout the concourses. At designated locations, alcoholic drinks include domestic and craft beers, wine, and cocktails.

The venue enforces responsible service policies, including ID verification, purchase limits, and designated cutoff times based on event type. The Huntington Club Level features expanded premium beverage selections unavailable on other concourses.

Special Dietary Accommodations

Value City Arena accommodates various dietary needs, with allergen information available upon request. Upon arrival, guests can contact the catering director to discuss specific requirements or alert Guest Services for assistance. Vegetarian options appear at most concession stands, with dedicated plant-based snacks and meals available at select locations.

Premium Dining Experiences

Club Level patrons enjoy access to upscale dining options not available on general concourses. The Champions Club offers all-inclusive buffet service with rotating menus featuring higher-quality ingredients and presentations. Suite holders receive dedicated catering menus with customizable pre-order options for each event, delivered directly to their private spaces.

Most premium areas feature expanded beverage programs, including craft cocktails and select wines. 

For more information on the Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center see the pages below:

Value City Arena Parking:
Read parking information and directions for the Value City Arena.

Ticket Policies:
Read ticket policies, ticket verification and refund policies.

Value City Arena Seating Chart:
View the Value City Arena at Schottenstein Center seating map and read related seating information.