Nationwide Arena

Lore & Background

Nationwide Arena was built near the site of the former Ohio Penitentiary, which had an eastern border of West Street. The arena itself is built over the prison's former parking lot. The arena's parking lot and an apartment complex are built where the prison formerly stood. The arena was constructed in 2000. On March 16, 2002, 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil was struck in the head by a deflected puck during the Blue Jackets' game against the Calgary Flames at Nationwide Arena. She died two days later, becoming the only NHL fan to be killed in a game-related accident. As a result of her death, the NHL mandated safety netting in all its arenas. In May 2012, Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman made a pitch to the National Basketball Association (NBA) requesting an expansion or relocated team be moved to Nationwide Arena. In September 2026, Franklin County began planning for a $400 million renovation of Nationwide Arena including an expansion of the main entrance, an outdoor terrace and food hall, a new team store, and LED screens which would be completed by 2031–32. The venue is named for the arena's original majority owner, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, whose world headquarters are located across the street. On March 30, 2012, arena owners Nationwide Insurance and the Dispatch Publishing Group sold the facility to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority (FCCFA). As part of the sale, Nationwide agreed to lend the FCCFA $43.3 million to finance the arena's purchase which will be paid back by 2039 with casino tax revenue collected by both the City of Columbus and Franklin County. In addition, the Ohio Department of Development agreed to a 10-year, $10 million loan to the FCCFA to assist with the facilities purchase. If the Blue Jackets meet annual roster payroll requirement, $500,000 of this loan per year will be forgiven. Nationwide Insurance will also pay the Blue Jackets $28 million to retain the arena's naming rights until 2022 as well as $58 million to purchase 30% ownership stake in the franchise. The Blue Jackets, in turn, agreed to remain in the city until 2039 or pay $36 million in damages. While the Blue Jackets held sole operational control of the arena from 2000 to 2012, the team contracted day-to-day operations and event booking to venue management corporation SMG from the arena's opening until June 30, 2010. On May 12, 2010, the Blue Jackets announced that SMG would not be retained as arena managers and further announced that a one-year, annually renewable, management contract had been signed with Ohio State University. The contract called for the university to take over both day to day arena operations as well as booking non-athletic events, with the Blue Jackets booking athletic events and maintaining overall control of the arena. This arrangement made Nationwide Arena a sister venue to OSU's on-campus arena, Value City Arena. The university started booking acts in May 2010 and assumed day to day control of the arena on July 1, 2010. As part of the 2012 sale of Nationwide Arena, the Blue Jackets and OSU joined with Nationwide Insurance and the FCCFA to form Columbus Arena Management (CAM). Columbus Arena Management currently operates both Nationwide Arena and Value City Arena and oversees budgeting and event booking at both arenas.

Reader's Guide

Nationwide Arena is significant as the home of the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2000, marking the NHL's return to Columbus. The arena is historically notable for the death of 13-year-old Brittanie Cecil on March 16, 2002, after she was struck by a deflected puck during a game, which led to the NHL mandating safety netting in all its arenas. The arena has hosted major events including the 2007 NHL entry draft, the 2015 NHL All-Star Game, and multiple NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournament games. It was also the site of the Blue Jackets' first postseason home game on April 21, 2009, and their first postseason home win on April 23, 2014. The arena's ownership changed in 2012 when it was sold to the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, with Nationwide Insurance retaining naming rights and a 30% ownership stake in the franchise. The arena features an on-site practice rink, the OhioHealth IceHaus, making it the first NHL arena with such a facility. A $400 million renovation was planned in September 2026, to be completed by 2031–32. The arena also serves as a venue for the annual Arnold Classic and is part of the Arena District entertainment complex.

Did You Know?

• The arena is built over the former parking lot of the Ohio Penitentiary.
• Brittanie Cecil's death in 2002 led to NHL-mandated safety netting in all arenas.
• The arena hosted the 2015 NHL All-Star Game after the 2013 edition was cancelled due to a lockout.
• Nationwide Arena was the first NHL arena with an on-site practice facility, the OhioHealth IceHaus.