Tsongas Arena’s New Name, New Owner

The Paul E. Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Mass., has changed ownership and been renamed Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell under an agreement forged between the city and the university in October.

City Manager Bernie Lynch told the Lowell Sun the deal is a win-win situation.

“Putting the arena in the hands of the university will enable it to expand and grow in its importance and make the university that much stronger,” Lynch told the paper. “At the same time, the city still has a premier entertainment venue right here in our downtown.”

The SMG-managed, 7,800-capacity facility, home to the NCAA Lowell River Hawks and American Hockey League Lowell Devils, also hosts concerts and other events.

Drake is scheduled to perform there April 29 and student government reps are reportedly planning to bring in more concerts, the paper said.