The Sames Auto Arena (formerly known as the Laredo Entertainment Center and Laredo Energy Arena) is a multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, musical performances, or sporting events. It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators ...

Laredo, Texas Laredo ( ; ) is a city in and the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Laredo has the distinction of flying seven flags (the flag of t ...

. It is located next to Bob Bullock Loop (US 59/Loop 20), on the northeastern side of Laredo. Within the Sames Auto Arena complex, there are several hotels within a walking distance. The

Laredo International Airport Laredo International Airport is three miles northeast of downtown Laredo, Texas, Laredo, in Webb County, Texas, Webb County, Texas. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 FAA airport categories, categorized it as ...

is also nearby.

History

The City of Laredo funded the $36.5 million project through a one-quarter percent sales tax increase that was approved by Laredo voters on August 12, 2000, with the facility's groundbreaking taking place in June 2001. The facility opened in October 2002. With of continuous open floor space, the Sames Auto Arena has the largest indoor convention space in South Texas. The 178,000 square foot facility has a

seating capacity Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...

that can be expanded up to 9,622 for concerts, with 14 luxury suites, six meeting rooms and a private club. The facility's management company, SMG, oversees all aspects of the arena including operations, concessions, scheduling, ticketing, and marketing. The arena sits on at Jacaman Road and Bob Bullock Loop (US 59/Loop 20) – property that Arena Ventures donated to the City of Laredo. Arena Ventures owns 35 additional acres around the site that is currently being developed with hotels and office parks, specialized retail stores and restaurants, and a $1.5 million water feature with fountains, a boardwalk and quarter-mile jogging track. In 2010, the previously-named Laredo Entertainment Center was renamed the Laredo Energy Arena after Laredo Energy purchased the venue's naming rights. Eight years later, Sames Auto Group purchased the naming rights to the arena and the venue is now known as the Sames Auto Arena. ;Naming history *Laredo Entertainment Center *Laredo Energy Arena *Sames Auto Arena

Gallery

File:Staindlaredo.JPG, Staind performing at the LEC File:Chevelle live at the Laredo Entertainment Center (LEC) in Laredo, Texas -- August 2009.jpg, Chevelle performing at the LEC File:Pete Loeffler of Chevelle performing at the Laredo Energy Arena in 2012.JPG, Pete Loeffler of Chevelle performing at the Carnival of Madness tour 2012 File:Amy Lee of Evanescence performing live at the Laredo Energy Arena.JPG, Amy Lee of Evanescence File:Reik live at Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.JPG, Reik "Peligro" tour File:Daughtry live at Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas.JPG, Daughtry live in 2012 File:Brad Arnold of 3 Doors Down live in Laredo, Texas.JPG, 3 Doors Down File:Phoebe Marie performing at the Laredo Energy Arena.JPG, Phoebe Marie performing at the Laredo Energy Arena for the Sister Cities Festival File:Ricardo Arjona in Laredo Entertainment Center.jpg,

Ricardo Arjona Edgar Ricardo Arjona Algadeoro (born 19 January 1964), known as Ricardo Arjona (), is a Guatemalan singer-songwriter. Arjona is one of the most successful and best-selling Latin American artists of all time, with more than 80 million records so ...

performing in the LEC File:J.B. Alexander High School 2009 Graduation.JPG, John B. Alexander High School 2009 Graduation in the LEC

References

{{Authority control Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States American Basketball Association (2000–present) venues Basketball venues in Texas Arena football venues Sports venues in Laredo, Texas American football venues in Texas Indoor arenas in Texas Sports venues completed in 2002 2002 establishments in Texas