📍 Columbus, Ohio
🏒 Home of the Columbus Blue Jackets

Nationwide Arena is the premier hockey destination in the state of Ohio, home to the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets since 2000. Built on the site of a former prison, the venue has a capacity of 18,500 and is the anchor of downtown’s Arena District. From fall through spring, the brick facade of this enormous and contemporary barn is a welcome sight for those in search of good food, good hockey and a good time.

BUY THIS PHOTO AS A PRINT OR CANVAS >

Hockey has a long history in the city of Columbus, with teams such as the Checkers, Golden Seals and Owls coming through over the years. The most notable franchise in Ohio’s capital city was the Columbus Chill of the ECHL, who played at the Expo Center Coliseum and sold out a record 83 consecutive games. The team was a catalyst for bringing the NHL to town, which occurred in 1997 when the league announced expansion to Columbus contingent upon the construction of a new venue. The Chill departed two years later to become the Reading Royals and, at the turn of the century, a new arena funded by Nationwide – one of the largest corporations based in the city – opened as the home of the fledgling Blue Jackets.

A name quickly beloved by hockey fans all across the Buckeye State, the “Blue Jackets” moniker was selected to honor Ohio’s Civil War ties. The state would send more men into battle than any other, and all those who fought for the Union during our nation’s bloodiest conflict wore blue coats – most of which were produced right here in the city of Columbus. And the Civil War imagery doesn’t stop there.

One of the league’s coolest traditions, Nationwide Arena’s live cannon is fired after every Blue Jackets goal, sending an earsplitting crack around the venue. The cannon is located on the concourse near the end that Columbus attacks twice, and fans sitting in the general vicinity are always prepared with ear plugs or to cover their ears when the home team puts one in the net. Near the main atrium, a wall studded with cannonballs keeps count of the amount of times the cannon has been fired that season – and subsequently, how many goals the Jackets have scored at home thus far.

Throughout the arena, the concourse is adorned with glass cases that highlight the history of the franchise, including artifacts and documents dating back to the inception of professional hockey in Columbus. This living museum, however, lacks hockey’s most treasured prize – a Stanley Cup. Despite several playoff appearances and victories, the Blue Jackets remain one of three teams in the NHL who have yet to advance to the Conference Finals. But until that day comes, fans will continue to pack Nationwide Arena and cheer their Jackets on to postseason glory.