From the Knickerbocker Arena, to the Pepsi Arena, to the Times Union Center, the "downtown Albany sports and entertainment facility" has had a number of monikers since it opened its doors in 1990.

MVP Arena's logo on the basketball floor / Facebook - MVP Arena
MVP Arena's logo on the basketball floor / Facebook - MVP Arena
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As the calendar turned to 2022, the arena officially donned its fourth name.

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The Times Union Center Has Officially Become the MVP Arena

On January 1, 2022, the Times Union Center changed its name for the first time since 2007, becoming the MVP Arena. The official change comes roughly 45 days after it was announced that the naming rights of the arena had been sold. The rights were sold to MVP Health Care, a health insurance agency based in Schenectady, New York.

The new "MVP Arena" name is displayed out front / Facebook - MVP Arena
The new "MVP Arena" name is displayed out front / Facebook - MVP Arena
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As the new year began, work at the arena also began, as signage around the facility was changed over from old, to new.

As you can see in the photos here and below, the next time you head to the arena in Downtown Albany, everywhere you turn, you'll see the new name adorning the walls, television screens and floorboards.


 

January Marks a Busy Month at the MVP Arena

Barring any postponements or cancellations due to COVID-19, it's going to be a busy start to the new year at the MVP Arena. The arena will host the Albany FireWolves for their second home game on Saturday, January 8, when the 'Wolves take on Saskatchewan at 7PM. Then, the lacrosse floor will be rolled out, and the basketball floor will be rolled in, as the Siena Saints will be in action on Sunday at 2PM, taking on Fairfield.

"Times Union" signage is being removed from the building / Facebook - MVP Arena
"Times Union" signage is being removed from the building / Facebook - MVP Arena
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The Saints and FireWolves will continue to call the MVP Arena home throughout the month of January, and the RPI Engineers and Union Dutchmen will join them as temporary tenants at the end of the month.

The Engineers and Dutchmen women's hockey programs will battle on the ice at the MVP Arena on Saturday, January 29th at 11AM, with the men's programs following them in a game at 2PM. Not to be outdone, the FireWolves will take the floor at 8PM that same evening, when they battle Halifax.

Signs for the new moniker in the front atrium / Facebook - MVP Arena
Signs for the new moniker in the front atrium / Facebook - MVP Arena
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A New Era of Champions in the Capital Region?

The acronym "MVP" is often used to describe the "most valuable player", which is a term given to the "best" at whatever is being done.

MVP Arena's logo on the basketball floor / Facebook - MVP Arena
MVP Arena's logo on the basketball floor / Facebook - MVP Arena
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Every Capital Region sports fan right now should be hoping that with the name change to MVP, the "best" will be on display at the arena in 2022.

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