How Arenas Transform Overnight

Writing by Sam Denby and Tristan Purdy
Editing by Alexander Williard
Animation led by Max Moser
Sound by Graham Haerther
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster

[ross]

I’m an arena manager and I guess could be considered an expert in this topic. This video is the best depiction of how arena conversions work that I’ve ever seen. Some of the details and nuance that are mentioned really surprised me as they’re often overlooked by people that don’t do this work every day. Incredible job.

If Wendover ever wants to cover any other topics in the live entertainment / sports / venue world, hit me up! Id be happy to assist or point you in the right direction.

[tommyVCE]

I used to work for the Sacramento Kings, and I was always blown away by how quickly they could bring in tons of dirt, to completely transform the arena for monster jam shows and bull riding tournaments! And then a couple days later you would have no idea the entire arena floor was completely covered in dirt.

At one point some production companies would also rent out our arena, not to play a show, but to practice setting up a specific artist's very bespoke stage/lights/props and so on, and they would keep practicing transforming the arena over and over again until they could do it in just a few hours. And that was always impressive as well

[jasonwerth]

I have been searching my whole adult life for this in-depth of a video about arena conversions. Up until today, I had to settle for three minute time lapses, with no narration. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[MysteryMii]

2:07 In case anyone is wondering, yes, they do remove the ice during the summer months as soon as the NHL season is over for the team (wether it be at the end of the regular season or after being eliminated during the playoffs). During that time, they use the bare concrete floor for concert/comedy setups, but they do lay down the ice again prior to the first preseason games.

[matthewsung]

Damn, respect for Wendover to head down to get footage first-hand. You'd think this channel would stay with stock footage, but the quality has been improving, and so has the access!

[danirey]

As tedious as this may seem it's probably better than building and operating a whole new stadium from scratch, a hockey and basketball ground under one roof

[carl]

I was once part of a Arena conversion crew as a forklift driver, it was really fun.

[wilmer]

2 hrs for an arena conversion is very impressive. I was expecting an 8 hr shift.

[BurritoKingdom]

Craziest was Staples Center when they had the Clippers, Lakers, Kings and Sparks. It was also the main arena for large concerts that wouldn't pack a stadium. There was one weekend where they had a Lakers game Friday night, a clipper game Saturday afternoon, a Kings game Saturday night, then another Lakers game Sunday afternoon then a concert Sunday night. Hats off to that arena crew

[mikeyblaze]

The ice always being underneath blew my mind

[discflame]

I'm IATSE union working a lot in my local arena like this (before and after concerts) and the conversion crews are always incredible. When I had a spare moment (rarely) I would watch them move into a part of the floor we'd just finished loading out of and they could put up hockey glass in like five or ten minutes and then they'd go back to the seats and wait for us to finish again.Most consistent workers I've ever seen

[madhavyu]

For those wondering how this relates to is the UNITED CENTER so that is the obvious connection. Well played Wendover, well played.

[colehanna]

There's something so satisfying about seeing a large group of people worked as a well-oiled machine. Every cog knows their single purpose, and it allows for something much bigger.

[Dodger]

This is the best video I've ever seen on arena conversions. I'm only a Zamboni driver for a community rink, but have aspirations to one day work at an NHL facility and eventually get to work with these types of conversions. I absolutely loved seeing all the small details like where all the equipment was stored, I figured it'd be stored somewhere near the Zamboni room, not on the long side of the building. Thank you so much for this video

[PrinceAnt]

Gotta give the men and women of these crews credit for the work they put in to change these arenas from basketball to hockey, as well as arena football, box lacrosse, UFC, WWE, ice shows, and concerts. It's already a challenge to make the switch during the NBA & NHL regular seasons, but during the postseason, it takes total precision to compete the tasks with a smaller window of time.

Bravo. 👏🏿

[georgechlada]

My brother is a part of the conversion team! He’s in the blue at 2:53

[jaxonhenrichs]

You forgot the Food & Bev staff member who provides constant fresh coffee and pizza throughout the night!

[MatthiaGryffine]

Props to you for getting to film this yourself.

[beaniemac]

I live in Chicago and have been to the united center countless times for all types of events. This was fascinating.

[JamesSmith-ux]

7:30 don't worry, Chicago has nothing to worry about