Prudential Center Prudential Center is a multi - purpose indoor arena in the downtown district of Newark in the U . S . state of New Jersey . The arena was designed by Populous ( formerly HOK Sport ) , with the exterior designed by Morris Adjmi Architects . Opened in 2007 , it is the home of the National Hockey League ' s New Jersey Devils , as well as the NCAA ' s Seton Hall Pirates men ' s basketball team , and the New Jersey Ironmen of the Xtreme Soccer League . The arena seats 17 , 625 people for hockey . Prudential Center is also known by its nickname , " The Rock " , in reference to the corporate logo of Prudential Financial , the company that owns the naming rights to the arena . The arena was built amidst financial concerns and years of speculation that the Devils would relocate . The arena is located two blocks from Newark Penn Station in downtown Newark , just west of Newark ' s Ironbound district , making it easily accessible via New Jersey Transit , Port Authority Trans - Hudson ( PATH ) , Newark Light Rail , and Amtrak . At the time of its opening , Prudential Center was the first major league sports venue to be built in the New York metropolitan area since the Brendan Byrne Arena , the Devils ' former home , opened in 1981 . It is hoped that Prudential Center might play an important role in the revitalization of Newark . History . Planning . For years , the New Jersey Devils had been the subject of rumors regarding relocation . Even when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1995 , it was amidst rumors that the franchise would move to Nashville . Despite playing championship - caliber hockey in the 2002 - 03 season , the Devils only drew an average 14 , 754 fans to their home arena Continental Airlines Arena , an outdated facility that was not very accessible by public transit . A project to build a new 18 , 000 seat arena in Newark , New Jersey first received funding from Newark ' s city council in 2002 when the team was owned by the Puck Holdings group . In 2004 , former Lehman Brothers executive Jeffrey Vanderbeek bought the team from Puck Holdings and became a strong proponent of the proposed arena . Vanderbeek said , " The Devils need a new arena that can provide a game - day experience that is certainly equal to the best team in the National Hockey League and certainly equal to the product that is put on the ice . " He also stated that he believed the arena " would take downtown Newark to a whole new level . " After legal battles over both eminent domain and the city ' s financial participation in the arena project , the final deal was approved by council in October 2004 . Construction and funding . A seven - acre site for the arena in downtown Newark was selected , bordered by Edison Place on the north , Lafayette Street on the south , Mulberry Street on the east , and Broad Street on the west . The arena was designed by Populous , with the exterior designed by Morris Adjmi Architects . Initial designs were released in early 2005 and referred to the arena as " Newark Arena " . Groundbreaking began on October 3 , 2005 and a workforce of 2 , 725 union workers was employed to construct the arena . Financial issues , though , threatended to halt the deal . On January 24 2006 , the Devils averted having the project canceled by submitting a guarantee in writing that the team would contribute $ 100 million to the arena , one day before their deadline . Though construction was well underway , in late summer 2006 , Cory Booker , who had recently taken office as Mayor of Newark , promised to reevaluate the deal and considered backing out . In October , Booker conceded there would be " a first - class arena built in the city of Newark , whether we like it or not " , and soon afterwards , the Devils struck a deal including both property and monetary givebacks that appeased city officials . The city of Newark pledged to contribute $ 210 million to the construction of the arena , using all of that money from its lease of Newark Liberty International Airport with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey . The Devils paid for the remainder of the cost . Thus , no new direct taxpayer funding was required for the construction of the arena . Some taxpayer dollars , however , were spent on infrastructure improvements . These improvements were necessary for both the new arena and proposed private development that is planned to surround the arena . With the city also obtaining money from the leases of its tenants and building fees included in the cost of tickets for all events ( including concerts , conventions , etc ) , the arena will most likely prove to be a solid investment for the city of Newark for many years to come . It is expected that this will be a catalyst for the revival of downtown Newark as well as the rest of the city . Prudential Financial purchased the naming rights in January 2007 for $ 105 . 3 million over 20 years , opting to call the arena the " Prudential Center , " though this is also the name of numerous office complexes around the country , notably in Boston , Massachusetts . The arena had previously been referred to as " Newark Arena " . The $ 105 million sponsorship is reduced from the city ' s cost . Arena press releases have begun to refer to the Prudential Center as " The Rock " after Prudential ' s corporate logo . Construction on the arena was completed in October 2007 . The estimated final cost of the arena ' s construction is estimated at $ 375 million . In total , more than 18 , 000 tons of steel were used to build the bowl area and high roof , while 62 , 000 linear feet of ductwork were installed throughout the arena . The Devils had to play their first nine games of the 2007 – 08 NHL season on the road as construction on their home arena was finished . Opening . For the soft opening on October 20 , the Newark Boys Chorus performed at Prudential Center , which became the first use of the arena . It officially opened on October 25 2007 with a series of 10 concerts by New Jersey rock group Bon Jovi , featuring a star - studded lineup of opening acts , including Big & Rich , Gretchen Wilson , Daughtry , The All - American Rejects and New Jersey ' s own My Chemical Romance . The Devils played their first home game at Prudential Center on October 27 , 2007 against the Ottawa Senators , who were the Devils ' last opponent at Continental Airlines Arena ( now known as the Izod Center ) . On November 11 , 2007 , the first collegiate basketball game took place in the arena , with Seton Hall defeating Monmouth University , 89 – 81 , in overtime . Arena usage . Sports . Prudential Center serves as the home arena for the NHL ' s New Jersey Devils hockey franchise , who previously played at the Continental Airlines Arena ( now the Izod Center ) from 1982 - 2007 , as well as the NCAA ' s Seton Hall Pirates men ' s basketball team , who also played at the Continental Airlines Arena from 1985 - 2007 . The arena also hosts home games for the Xtreme Soccer League ' s New Jersey Ironmen franchise and will be available for select home games for NCAA ' s Seton Hall Pirates women ' s basketball team , the NJIT Highlanders men ' s basketball team and the National Lacrosse League ' s New York Titans franchise . Ottawa Senators ' Chris Neil scored the arena ' s first goal , while Brian Gionta scored the first goal for the Devils in a 4 - 1 Ottawa victory . The first hat - trick in Prudential Center history was netted by Jay Pandolfo , in a 6 – 1 Devils victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 31 2007 , a game which was also the Devils ' first home victory at the arena . The Prudential Center hosted its first Stanley Cup Playoff game against the New York Rangers on April 9 , 2008 . On April 15 , 2009 , the Devils won their first playoff game at the Prudential Center with a 4 - 1 win over against the Carolina Hurricanes . For select Devils home games , the arena ' s practice rink is open to fans after the game for public ice skating . In November 2007 and 2008 , the Center hosted the semifinals and finals of college basketball ' s Legends Classic . The New Jersey Ironmen played their inaugural home game at Prudential Center on December 1 , 2007 . A crowd of 13 , 429 was on hand to see soccer legend Pelé , who was honorary captain , take the ceremonial first kick . The Ironmen won this game 8 - 6 over the Detroit Ignition . The arena also hosts the NJSIAA Public A , Public B , and Private State Finals for high school ice hockey . The arena was originally intended to be the home of the New Jersey Nets , but Yankee Global Enterprises LLC has since sold the team and the Nets planned to relocate to the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York City . However , lawsuits , economic issues , and a recession have plagued the project . The earliest the franchise would relocate to Brooklyn would be 2011 , although these plans are still in doubt . This leaves two arenas in New Jersey competing with each other to book concerts and family shows . State officials , though , have called for the Izod Center to close since the Prudential Center opened . Although the Nets extended their lease at the Izod Center , Devils ownership has offered a public invitation for the National Basketball Association team to be a tenant in Newark . In the fall of 2009 , the Nets will play two preseason games at the Prudential Center , a possible sign that the team could move there in the future . Features . Design . The red and gray exterior is inspired by Newark ' s bricklaying and railroad heritage , while paying homage to the team colors of the New Jersey Devils , red and black . Fans approaching the arena from the front are presented with a view of the arena ' s externally mounted 4 , 800 square foot ( 446 m² ) LED screen , one of the largest in the world . The screen is split up into thin panels with gaps in between , in order to prevent the fans ' view from inside from being obstructed . Along the arena ' s east side Mulberry Street entrance are two large " entrance cylinders " named the Verizon Tower and PNC Tower , the arena ' s most prominent exterior feature . These towers take the fans up to the Grand Concourse , by escalator and staircase . The interior ' s lower level Grand Concourse provides views of downtown Newark on the Edison Street and Mulberry Street sides through large windows . Prudential Center features separate concourses for the lower and upper levels , whereas the Continental Airlines Arena had one concourse for both levels of the arena . Throughout the Grand Concourse , jerseys of every high school hockey team in New Jersey hang from the walls . The arena also features many murals of players and memorable moments from Devils history . One 6 , 000 square foot mural encompases a long stretch of the Grand Concourse wall and features Devils Martin Brodeur , Scott Stevens , and Ken Daneyko , along with tributes to other New Jersey sports and Newark landmarks , with depictions that include Seton Hall men ' s basketball legends Richie Regan and Terry Dehere , Tony Meola , a boxer , and a tennis player . Amenities and facilities . As the newest facility to be used in the NHL , the Prudential Center features a large array of amenities . The rink area features four LED ribbons and an eight - sided scoreboard equipped with high - definition video screens . The 76 luxury suites available are the largest in North America . Personal dining , WiFi , and high - definition televisions are some of the many conveniences available in the luxury suites . There are 750 flat - screen televisions in total across the arena . In the lower bowl ' s three middle sections are 2 , 330 Club Seats . These seats are colored black , are wider , and offer more legroom . Club Seat and season ticket holders have access to a 350 - seat restaurant on the suite level in one of the end zones with views of the rink . Additionally , the Goal Bar , located at Suite Level One offers Club and Goal Bar seat holders terrace - style seating in a bar environment . The Goal Bar is where Steve Cangialosi and Ken Daneyko do intermission and post - game analysis for Devils ' telecasts . Club Seat holders also have access to the Fire and Ice Lounges , modern themed private bars intended to attract pre - game and post - game crowds . These lounges are located at the top of the lower bowl , behind the Club Seats . On the Edison Place side of the arena at street level are the ticket office and the Devils ' new 2 , 600 square foot ( 242 m² ) Team Store . Attached to the Prudential Center are the Devils ' corporate offices and practice rink , which contains its own locker rooms . The Prudential Center is one of only two NHL arenas with a practice rink ( the other being Nationwide Arena in Columbus , Ohio , home of the Columbus Blue Jackets ) and the only one with dual locker rooms and practice facilities .