From wrestling springboards to local health groups: the evolution of the NOW Arena
In short: Originally built as the Sears Centre, this Hoffman Estates venue has survived bankruptcy, ownership shifts, and a rebranding. Beyond its local utility, it served as the critical launchpad for the modern professional wrestling landscape, hosting events that changed the industry forever.
Situated in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, about 25 miles from Chicago, the NOW Arena originated through a partnership involving Ryan Companies, Sears Holdings, and the Village of Hoffman Estates. While the project was initiated in 1998, plans were not finalized until 2005, with construction commencing in July of that year. The venue officially opened on October 26, 2006, featuring inaugural performances by Bob Dylan and Duran Duran. The site previously housed the Poplar Creek Music Theater. It also hosts the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association's annual state championships.
The arena's history is marked by significant shifts in management and ownership. In 2011, the Village of Hoffman Estates assumed ownership after Ryan Companies withdrew due to the venue's lack of success. Since the village took control and appointed Global Spectrum as management, the facility has seen improvement. Even when Sears Holdings declared bankruptcy in 2018, the arena's naming rights remained intact, with the company paying $1.5 million to extend its rights for 18 months. The facility previously hosted the Chicago audition stages for the television programme The X Factor. It also served as a venue for Strikeforce events.
The venue underwent a major rebranding on September 1, 2020, following an $11.5 million deal approved by the Village of Hoffman Estates on June 23, 2020. The new name, NOW Arena, belongs to the NOW Health Group, a natural products manufacturer based in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Today, the arena serves as a diverse multi-purpose hub, hosting everything from the Windy City Bulls to major professional wrestling events like AEW's All Out and various international sports competitions. The venue has hosted the Davis Cup and the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. Additionally, it has been a site for various TNA professional wrestling productions.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Now Arena
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