Little Caesars Arena Opens With Ribbon-Cutting Today

DETROIT, MI —Red Wings fans. Pistons fans. Music fans. Detroit fans. City, business and entertainment officials were downtown Tuesday to celebrate the opening of Little Caesars Arena with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Red Wings owner Chris Ilitch and Pistons owner Tom Gores were among the dignitaries at the ceremony.

The $863 million is the latest venue to be built in the blossoming sports and entertainment district downtown. No longer will the Pistons play in the suburbs, but downtown near the homes of the Lions and Tigers. And, for the Red Wings, they’ll have a bright ‘n’ shiny new home that replaces the weather Joe Louis Arena.
If ribbon cuttings are not your thing—perhaps you want to see the building closeup—on Saturday the venue will be opened to the public for tours. Guests will be able to take a look at the innovative scoreboard, a projection screen that surrounds the arena’s seating bowl, and other high-tech gadgetry. Guests, however, much make reservations to take a tour.

The first actual event will be a kickoff concert by Kid Rock on Sept. 12. Kid Rock will play six concerts at the 20,000-seat venue through Sept. 20. Other upcoming concerts include Ed Sheeran on Sept. 27 and Paul McCartney for a pair of shows on Oct. 1 and 2.

Photo by Carlos Osorio/Associated Press