DCU Center
For 30 years, the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts has been recognized as the gathering place for people to experience the finest in entertainment, sporting events and public functions. Hailed as one of the most successful entertainment and convention facilities in the nation, the DCU Center opened its doors in September 1982 with the legendary Frank Sinatra Inaugural Concert. Since that time, acts of all musical genres have found their way to the arena stage. From rock to rap, country to contemporary, millions of fans from all over the world have come to the DCU Center to see their favorite performers.
The arena features annual appearances of the top family shows including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Sesame Street Live, Disney On Ice, Harlem Globetrotters and The Wiggles among others. The DCU Center also plays host to a variety of sporting and entertainment events including NCAA Basketball and Hockey, Holy Cross Basketball, Professional Bull Riding, MIAA High School Basketball Championships, Stars On Ice, Monster Trucks and more.
In addition, the facility is proud home to a professional sports franchise. The Worcester Sharks, the American Hockey League franchise owned, operated and affiliated with the San Jose Sharks, hosts 40 regular season home games.
The facility expanded in 1997 with the opening of an attached state-of-the-art convention center that features panoramic views of downtown Worcester. The complex, described as an architectural gem, added 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, 11 meeting rooms, a 12,144 square foot ballroom (the largest in Central Massachusetts) and a state-of-the-art kitchen. The facility's 100,000-plus square feet of exhibit space is filled by consumer shows, trade shows, conventions, conferences, and other public and private functions year-round. Across the street, a conveniently located headquarters hotel for the facility, the Hilton Garden Inn, opened in October 2006. In October 2004, DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union) and the City of Worcester entered into a naming rights partnership to rename the arena and convention center to the DCU Center. DCU is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by and operated for its members. DCU was chartered in October of 1979. Since then, DCU has been chosen as the credit union for more than 700 companies and organizations. DCU serves more than 350,000 members and their families in all 50 states.
Continuing to provide the best possible experience for the promoter, performer and patron, the DCU Center is owned by the City of Worcester and managed by SMG, the world's leading private management and developing firm for public assembly facilities. Since 1977, SMG has provided management services to more than 220 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, equestrian facilities and convention, congress and exhibition centers. With facilities across the globe, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space.
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