When the last of the audience passed through the turnstile Wednesday night for the James Taylor concert at Veterans Memorial Arena, a new attendance record was in the books at the venue.
In 2004, the first full year the venue was open, 518,000 people attended shows and sports events at the new facility. That figure was eclipsed last night, with this year’s total audience count projected to exceed 550,000.
“It has been an outstanding year, anchored by an outstanding October,” said Bill McConnell, general manager of SMG Jacksonville, the company contracted by the city to operate municipal venues.
October included six Garth Brooks performances, plus Paul McCartney, Motley Crue and an NBA preseason game.
Other big names this year at the arena included Billy Joel, the Eagles and Dave Matthews Band.
Jacksonville’s indoor professional sports franchises — the American Basketball League Giants and the Arena Football League Sharks — also contributed to the all-time best ticket sales.
McConnell said the record-setting attendance can be attributed to SMG “remaining competitive and committed to offering diverse shows.”
Support for local entertainment and sports also was a factor.
“We’re riding a wave of successful events,” McConnell said. “Jacksonville has given promoters the ability to take more risk to bring shows here. The promoters feel good.”
The financial success of mid-week shows, like Taylor’s concert, also has helped more acts put Jacksonville on their schedules.
McConnell said while the more attractive weekend dates are usually reserved for larger markets, promoters are learning local fans will make a stop at the box office during the week.
“Jacksonville delivers,” he said.
Looking ahead, the arena’s record could fall again next year, beginning with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Regional, scheduled in March.
Also booked at the arena are The Who 2015 World Tour, the Winter Jam multi-act Christian music concert, Journey and the Steve Miller Band, Nickelback, Nitro Circus Live, Professional Bull Riders Blue DEF Velocity Tour, WWE, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice.
Bill Gaither’s Homecoming, a Franklin Graham Festival and the national meeting of the Jehovah’s Witnesses also are scheduled in 2015.
For sports fans, the arena will again offer the Giants, Sharks, Jacksonville University basketball and a return engagement for the Harlem Globetrotters.
“And more we don’t even know about yet,” said McConnell.
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