The Visions Federal Credit Union Veterans Memorial Arena is a 5,000-seat arena (with up to 7,000 capacity depending on configuration). The Arena anchors the downtown area as a center for a wide variety of sports, concerts, expos, and family events. The Arena was built in 1973 as a result of a nationwide design competition. Some of the top stars in the world have played the Arena at one time or ano
ther. The first act at the Arena was the Barnum & Bailey circus in May 1973. Chicago played the first concert at the Arena (with Bruce Springsteen as opener) on June 20, 1973. The first regular tenants of the Arena were the Broome Dusters (NAHL, 1973-1977), followed by the Binghamton Dusters (AHL, 1977-1980), the Binghamton Whalers (AHL, 1980-1990), the Binghamton Rangers (AHL, 1990-1997), and the B.C. Icemen (UHL, 1997-2002).
