KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Oct. 12, 2017) –  T-Mobile Center, Kansas City’s award winning downtown arena, celebrates ten years of operation by logging the most successful programming and financial year in venue history. In addition, Kansas City’s downtown landmark shared two significant developments regarding the arena’s economic impact since opening.

Construction of T-Mobile Center forever changed the skyline of Kansas City, America’s 33rd ranked media market. Since opening in Oct. 2007, T-Mobile Center has welcomed world-class entertainment and sporting events back to Kansas City and the Midwest. T-Mobile Center anchors more than $6 billion of reinvestment in a revitalized downtown Kansas City and has revolutionized the entertainment experience in the Midwest.

“The success of T-Mobile Center’s inaugural decade is directly attributed to the more than 11 million passionate fans and supporters of artists and events who choose to play Kansas City,” said Brenda Tinnen, T-Mobile Center/AEG general manager and senior vice president. “Welcoming guests from every corner of the city for diverse events is a source of pride for our staff and we are humbled that citizens throughout the Midwest continue to entrust us with their memories. The City of Kansas City’s vision in creating a venue for world-class entertainment has paid dividends for our community in terms of revenue generation, job creation and economic opportunity.”

Programming Success

Consistently recognized among the world’s most popular arenas, T-Mobile Center most recently was named the eighth busiest arena in the United States in Pollstar Magazine’s 2017 Third-Quarter issue and is a unique public-private partnership between the city of Kansas City & AEG.

In the past year, T-Mobile Center has witnessed the return of world class artists for a variety of sold out shows from Garth Brooks’ 7 shows in May, Bruno Mars, Coldplay, Roger Waters, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Def Leppard, Eric Church, Queen +Adam Lambert, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ariana Grande, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, among others. 

In 2017, three world tours started in Kansas City: Roger Waters, Ed Sheeran and OneRepublic; and T-Mobile Center was one of five arenas selected by Radiohead for their 2017 North American Tour. 60% of T-Mobile Center guests hail from the Kansas City MSA, and 23% of guests are attending their first-ever event. In the past 12 months alone T-Mobile Center welcomed several acts for the first time (Amy Schumer, The Lumineers, The Gorillaz, The Chainsmokers) as well as first-time arena headliners who had previously opened for other acts (Kendrick Lamar, Luke Bryan, Future, Florida Georgia Line).

In the past week, T-Mobile Center announced six shows including P!nk, Sam Smith, Lana Del Ray, Joel Osteen, Miranda Lambert & TobyMac. To close out 2017, T-Mobile Center will host Janet Jackson, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, two shows of TSO with more announcements to come.

Estimated Economic Impact

Development Strategies, Inc., located in St. Louis, Mo. analyzed the financial impact to the area and state economy since T-Mobile Center began operation. The summary outlines the employment and financial impact of T-Mobile Center in three local economies: the City of Kansas City, Mo., the State of Missouri, and Kansas City metropolitan area. A detailed analysis is scheduled to be released on Oct. 27.

In addition to operational spending at T-Mobile Center, concerts, spectator sports, and other events attracted more than 11 million visitors, who also added considerable impacts to the local economy through spending at nearby hotels, restaurants, shops and other attractions.

In examining impacts on the City of Kansas City during the past 10 years, T-Mobile Center supported an annual average of 488 jobs for city residents. Also T-Mobile Center, venue artists/events and non-local patrons directly invested an estimated $286.1 million in the City of Kansas City. The estimated economic activity triggered by T-Mobile Center operations and non-local patron and performer spending including multiplier effects were just under $488.4 million for the City of Kansas City.

A closer look at the Kansas City MSA indicates the total economic activity attributed to T-Mobile Center operations and non-local patron and performer spending ($343.2 million) and the added multiplier effects ($668.0 million) totaled over $1.01 billion for the MSA while supporting an annual average of 966 jobs for MSA residents.

Increase Minimum Wage in 2018

T-Mobile Center is continuing efforts to exceed expectations in guest service and elevate hospitality standards within the facility. Associates are a key component to the venue’s success as they welcome guests, artists and crew to the facility.

Offering market-competitive wages, tools, resources and meaningful pay are important components of T-Mobile Center’s compensation packages and key differentiators in the industry. As such, T-Mobile Center is pleased to announce an increase in the minimum hourly wage for staff to $12 per hour in 2018.

Key Milestones During T-Mobile Center’s First 10 Years

T-Mobile Center opened doors on Oct. 10, 2007, following a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony including city dignitaries and the legendary Garth Brooks. More than 20,000 visitors attended a free open house to explore Kansas City’s newest asset and witness the arena floor change from hockey to basketball to concert configurations. Additional milestones include:

First Concert: Elton John on Oct. 13, 2007
Most Performances by One Artist: Garth Brooks (9)
Largest Concert Attendance: 19,533 (George Strait on Jan 18, 2014)
Largest Basketball Attendance: 19,256 (2013 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship)
Largest Hockey Attendance: 17,544 (Kings vs. Penguins-Sept. 27, 2011)

Largest Grossing Concert: Paul McCartney (July 16, 2014)

For additional information or to join the conversation, follow T-Mobile Center on social media via Facebook: @t-mobilecenterKC; Twitter: @t-mobilecenter; Instagram: @t-mobilecenter and Snapchat: @t-mobilecenter_KC.

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About T-Mobile Center
T-Mobile Center is Kansas City’s home for live entertainment and sporting events. Anchor to more than $6 billion of reinvestment in a revitalized downtown Kansas City, the award winning venue has welcomed more than 11 million guests. Having exceeded attendance and financial projections in each year since opening in 2007, T-Mobile Center is a unique public/private partnership between AEG and the City of Kansas City, Mo.