Sleep Train Arena Era Ends

After 28 years, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus marked the final performance ever to be held at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento Sept. 18.

Photo: AP Photo / Rich Pedroncelli

A fan snaps one in front of the “6th Man” statue at Sleep Train Arena, the home of the Sacramento Kings since 1988 April 7. The kings will move to the new Golden 1 Center for the 2016-17 season.

The $557 million Golden 1 Center, the new home of the Sacramento Kings, is weeks away from opening for business. The arena will be christened Oct. 4-5 with two sold-out concerts by Paul McCartney.

While Golden 1 Center’s calendar continues to be filled with events, including a $1,000-per-head gala featuring Golden 1 Center on Oct. 21, Sleep Train Arena’s finale had the feeling of just tying up loose ends before moving on, according to the Sacramento Bee.

But on a corner of the concourse some fans left their final sentiments. A pillar was covered in messages left via a silver Sharpie pen, a way of bidding goodbye to an arena that became home to so many memories over the years, whether it called Arco Arena, its brief run as Power Balance Pavilion or its final incarnation as Sleep Train Arena. It’s not yet known what the future of Sleep Train Arena is.

The circus marked the final ticketed event for the facility but the building will host some graduation ceremonies, the Bee said.