From Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center
Santander Arena, managed by Oak View Group (OVG), proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, marking a quarter-century as one of Pennsylvania’s premier destinations for live entertainment, sports, and community events. Since opening its doors in 2001, the arena has welcomed millions of guests, hosted world-class performers, and served as the leading entertainment destination in eastern Pennsylvania.
The vision for the arena took shape in the 1990s, when local leaders and community partners came together to create a modern, multipurpose venue for Reading. Construction began in 1998 as part of a broader effort to revitalize downtown and support economic growth. The venue, originally known as the Sovereign Center, officially celebrated its grand opening on Sept. 6, 2001. Designed to host everything from concerts and family shows to professional hockey and community events, the arena quickly became a premier destination for live entertainment in the region.
Over the past 25 years, Santander Arena has hosted thousands of events, including performances by internationally renowned artists, championship-caliber sporting events, and countless community celebrations. The venue has also served as home to the Reading Royals professional hockey franchise and has been a gathering place for generations of fans, families, and visitors.
To mark its 25th anniversary, Santander Arena is gearing up for an exciting lineup of upcoming shows, including:
- Harlem Globetrotters – Feb. 20
- Winter Jam 2026 – Feb. 26
- Professional Bull Riding – March 6-7
- Blue Man Group – March 12
- Perreoland – March 13
- Phil Wickham with Tauren Wells – March 26
- Romeo Santos & Prince Royce – April 4
- Ricardo Arjona – April 16
- Lamb Of God – April 18
- Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – May 16-17
“Our 25th anniversary season truly reflects the wide array of entertainment options that Santander Arena has become known for over the past quarter-century,” said David Farrar, General Manager of Santander Arena. “From global music superstars and family favorites to live sports and high-energy touring productions, the lineup we’ve already announced for 2026 is just the beginning. We’re excited to share that many more announcements are coming very soon as we continue to build an incredible calendar of events to celebrate our anniversary.”
“The Berks County Convention Center Authority Board is extremely proud of the success of the Arena over the past 25 years and its contribution to the growth of downtown Reading and the entire Berks County region. The Board is equally excited to celebrate this milestone with the community, and we look forward to another 25 years of fostering unforgettable memories as a local stage for concerts, sports, and the arts.”
As part of the 25th anniversary season, Barry Manilow has announced that his upcoming performance on April 17 at Santander Arena will mark his final concert in Reading. A legendary performer with a career spanning decades, Manilow’s farewell appearance adds a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment to the arena’s 25th anniversary celebration and underscores the venue’s long-standing legacy of hosting iconic artists at every stage of their careers. Tickets go on sale to the public this Friday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m.
Adding to the excitement, Santander Arena also recently announced the highly anticipated return of Peso Pluma, one of today’s most influential global Latin music artists. Peso Pluma & Friends will bring the DINASTIA Tour to the Santander Arena on May 5, 2026.
The arena also continues to expand its diverse event offerings with the announcement of XRumble Fighting, bringing high-energy combat sports action to Santander Arena. The XRumble Fighting Championships will come to Reading on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
Rounding out the recent announcements is Planet K-pop, a high-energy live experience celebrating the global phenomenon of K-pop. Featuring immersive visuals, music, and dancing, fans will get to experience the music of K-pop Demon Hunters, BTS, Huntr/x, BLACKPINK, and many more. Planet K-pop will come to the Santander Performing Arts Center on June 8, 2026.
Stay tuned for more announcements to come as the arena continues celebrating 25 years of live entertainment in Reading, PA. For more information about upcoming events at Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center, visit santander-arena.com.
About Oak View Group
Oak View Group (OVG) is the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, with a platform spanning venue development and end-to-end capabilities across venue management, hospitality, and sponsorship sales. Founded in 2015, the Company serves a collection of seven world-class owned venues and a client roster of the most iconic arenas, stadiums, convention centers, music festivals, performing arts centers, and cultural institutions, spanning four continents. Visit OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
