History of Mohegan Sun Arena in Timeline

Mohegan Sun Arena, located in Uncasville, Connecticut within the Mohegan Sun casino resort, is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue. Opened in October 2001, it offers 30,000 square feet of configurable exhibition space and a 400-foot clear span. Notably, it serves as the home arena for the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA.

July 19, 2001: Uncasville Awarded AF2 Expansion Team

On July 19, 2001, Uncasville was awarded an AF2 expansion team, marking a new chapter for arena football in the area.

October 2001: Mohegan Sun Arena Opening

In October 2001, the 10,000 seat multi-purpose Mohegan Sun Arena officially opened in Uncasville, Connecticut, inside the Mohegan Sun casino resort.

December 12, 2001: Mohegan Wolves Team Announcement

On December 12, 2001, Mohegan Sun and United Sports Ventures announced that the new AF2 franchise would be named the Mohegan Wolves, with Gary Porter as the head coach.

January 11, 2002: UFC 35: Pulver vs Penn

On January 11, 2002, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted its first MMA event, UFC 35, headlined by Jens Pulver vs B.J. Penn.

April 5, 2002: Mohegan Wolves Inaugural Game

On April 5, 2002, the Mohegan Wolves played their first game at the Mohegan Sun Arena against the Albany Conquest, marking their debut in the AF2 league.

April 21, 2002: 2002 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game

On April 21, 2002, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the 2002 National Lacrosse League All-Star Game, where the North Division defeated the South Division 14–10, and Steve Toll was named MVP.

2002: "Name the Team" Contest

In 2002, the Mohegan Wolves' team name was chosen through a "Name the Team" contest sponsored by WCTY, Mohegan Sun and X-Tra Mart, with the winner receiving season tickets and team merchandise.

2002: WNBA Team Relocation

Prior to the fall of 2002, the NBA operating model precluded any WNBA team without an NBA "brother" counterpart and Connecticut Sun moved in.

January 28, 2003: Connecticut Sun Official Home Court Announcement

On January 28, 2003, the Mohegan Sun Arena was announced as the official home court for the Connecticut Sun WNBA team.

2004: Mohegan Wolves Relocation

In 2004, the Mohegan Wolves arena football team was sold and moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, marking the end of their tenure at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

September 8, 2005: "Winter Essentials" Store Opening

On September 8, 2005, the Mohegan Sun casino opened a Connecticut Sun merchandise store called "Winter Essentials", the first store in the United States to sell professional basketball goods on casino grounds.

2005: International Strongman Grand Prix Events

Between 2005 and 2010, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted one of the premier international strongman Grand Prix events.

2006: Seating Configuration Options

As of 2006, the Mohegan Sun Arena's seating can be configured into various layouts including basketball, boxing, bowling, rodeo, table tennis, lacrosse, regular concerts, fullhouse concerts, centerstage concerts, and halfhouse concerts.

2008: "Winter Essentials" Store Closure

In 2008, the "Winter Essentials" store, which sold Connecticut Sun merchandise, was closed during casino renovations.

2008: Country Music Award for "Casino of the Year"

The Mohegan Sun Arena was awarded the Country Music Award for "Casino of the Year" in 2008.

2009: Bellator 2 and 11

In 2009, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 2 and Bellator 11.

2009: Connecticut Sun Merchandise Availability

Starting in 2009, Connecticut Sun merchandise became available in the Arena during games.

2010: International Strongman Grand Prix Events

Between 2005 and 2010, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted one of the premier international strongman Grand Prix events.

2010: Bellator 15

In 2010, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 15.

2010: Country Music Award for "Casino of the Year"

The Mohegan Sun Arena was awarded the Country Music Award for "Casino of the Year" in 2010.

2011: Bellator 39 and Bellator 48

In 2011, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 39 and Bellator 48.

2012: Bellator 63

In 2012, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 63.

2013: Bellator 98

In 2013, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 98.

August 5, 2014: Philadelphia Wings Relocation Announcement

On August 5, 2014, the National Lacrosse League announced that the Philadelphia Wings would move to the Mohegan Sun Arena and be re-branded as the New England Black Wolves for the 2015 season.

2014: Bellator 110 and Bellator 123

In 2014, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 110 and Bellator 123.

2015: Bellator 134, Bellator 140, Bellator 144

In 2015, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 134, Bellator 140, and Bellator 144.

2015: New England Black Wolves Home Opener

In 2015, the New England Black Wolves defeated the Buffalo Bandits 12–8 in their home opener at the Mohegan Sun Arena, with an attendance of 5,768.

2016: Bellator 153, Bellator 163

In 2016, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 153 and Bellator 163.

2016: Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

In 2016, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted the inaugural Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in the Northeast, selling 90,000 tickets for the multi-day event, making it the largest event on record at the arena.

2017: Bellator 178, Bellator 185

In 2017, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 178 and Bellator 185.

2018: Bellator 194, Bellator 207

In 2018, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 194 and Bellator 207.

2019: Bellator 215, Bellator 216

In 2019, Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bellator 215 and Bellator 216.

2019: Connecticut Sun Merchandise Availability Ends

In 2019, the availability of Connecticut Sun merchandise in the Arena during games came to an end.

November 2020: Bubbleville College Basketball Games

In November 2020, after the conclusion of the 2020 WNBA season, the Mohegan Sun Arena hosted Bubbleville, a series of college basketball games without fans, marking the arena's first events since the COVID-19 pandemic declaration.

October 1, 2021: Sports Betting Legalization

On October 1, 2021, sports betting was legalized in Connecticut; however, the Mohegan Sun casino suspended WNBA betting from its sportsbook operation.