SAVE MART CENTER AT FRESNO STATE RANKS AMONG THE WORLD’S BEST AGAIN IN 2014!

The SMG-managed Save Mart Center ended 2014 having again hosted an exceptional year of live musical, sports, and family entertainment, ranking among the world’s top 100 arenas, according to leading industry publications.

The arena ended the year ranked as the #2 collegiate venue, #49 in the U.S. and #95 in the world in the list of Top 200 Arena Venues in Worldwide Ticket Sales, as reported by Pollstar magazine. The year-end annual rankings reflect reported ticket sales for shows that played during calendar year 2014. SMG manages 32 of the Top 200 Arenas, Save Mart Center ranking 11th within the company, 6th in the U.S. Since its first full year in 2004, Save Mart Center has ranked in the Top 100 Arena Venues Worldwide every year.

Another leading industry publication, Venues Today, in its December 2014 edition, listed Save Mart Center among its “Top Stops” for venues in the 10-15,000 capacity category, coming in as the #1 ranked collegiate venue, ranked #4 in the U.S .and #12 in the world, based on concert and event grosses from October 16, 2013 to October 15, 2014. Save Mart Center was one of seven SMG-managed arenas to rank in the Top 10 in this size category.

“In 2014 we were able to book and host a variety of shows that ended up being ranked in the Top 100 Tours in the world, including Pink, Blake Shelton, Bruno Mars, The Eagles, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Brantley Gilbert, and Theresa Caputo. We thank our Valley residents who support Save Mart Center through ticket sales, as this demonstrated support, combined with our regional and national relationships within the SMG network and touring entertainment industry, helps us continue to attract quality entertainment events and remain the premier entertainment venue in Central California,” said Steve Tadlock, Regional VP / General Manager for SMG at the arena. “As we are also the proud home of the Fresno State Bulldogs basketball and volleyball programs, we are extremely pleased in how we compare to other collegiate arenas.”

Off to a great start in 2015, Save Mart Center has already hosted the Harlem Globetrotters and Eric Church, with upcoming events including Juan Gabriel, Bellator MMA, Professional Bull Riders, Monster Jam, Rock & Worship Roadshow, WWE Smackdown and seven performances of Cirque Du Soleil Varekai all in the first quarter of this year.