SNHU Arena Event Bookings

At a glance

• What: A September 1 committee discussion with the arena operator (Legends Global) about event content, staffing and facility needs.
• Where it stands: Information only; the operator said content is down nationally but the arena holds about 20 percent regional share.
• Next: A facility assessment in September including the ice plant; a Finance Department presentation on the fiscal year 2025 revenue sharing.

Committee discussion, September 1, 2026

• Operator figures (Sweeney, Stefansson): 24 ticketed events this fiscal year (including the Jonas Brothers) against 19, 20 and 29 in the prior three years, with 11 concerts; 18 holds on the calendar (7 with Live Nation); two shows to be announced in September and two in October; enterprise deals with Live Nation, AEG, Outback and Live Co, and a new Ticketmaster deal that would have added about $1.5 million over 2022 to 2024; fan survey score 40 and 88 percent positive.
• O'Neil cited lost institutional knowledge (a 25 year general manager retired), senior staff turnover, and a five month gap without a general manager. The ice plant needs a status review: only one of two chillers was replaced years ago and piping failing under the penalty boxes was replaced; piping dates to the arena's construction 25 years ago. The agreement is profit and loss, protecting the City. O'Neil said the issue is revenue, not expenses.
• Vincent urged more events for hotels and restaurants. Barry wants an ECHL or other hockey team in the right hands. Dexter asked about surplus revenue; Sweeney said fiscal year 2025 is being tied out. Bonilla noted no shows in November and asked for more Latin and international acts. Trisciani asked about the inherited pipeline: some events (Journey, Shinedown, PBR) carried over; many holds are new.
• Meeting ran 5:00 to 5:44 PM; the committee asked for a Finance Department presentation on the fiscal year 2025 revenue sharing. Touring market figures cited: about 4,200 tours falling to 3,000 and then 1,100; the arena's regional share is about 20 percent against 23 percent for MVP Arena. Operator's event count compared 24 events with an average of 23 over three years; 2 Outback holds. Hold count stood at 18 against 14 a year earlier.
• Stefansson said announcement timing is controlled by the touring acts: "content, content, content."

Sources

• Special Committee on Baseball/Civic Center minutes, September 1, 2026: https://manchesternh.api.civicclerk.com/v1/Meetings/GetMeetingFileStream(fileId=5256,plainText=false)

Log

2026-09-01 - Special Committee on Baseball and Civic Center

Committee heard from the operator; no vote.