Page 12 - Athens NCG 2025

Mural at
Akins Ford Arena

Akins Ford Arena
New Entertainment

The inaugural year of Akins

Ford Arena is impressing Athens’
Ecosystem cultural seekers. by Lydia Cobb

hen Akins Ford Arena officially “I had the honor of handing Cindy Wilson a Arrive early before your event to be
opened on December 13, 2024, personalized Rock Lobster team jersey with immersed in the Georgia Music Collections
W it welcomed fans to cheer on the her name on it,” he said, when the vocalist, from the University of Georgia Libraries.
Athens Rock Lobsters professional hockey songwriter and founding member of the Exhibits invite viewers to check out
team in their first high-action home game. B-52s was invited to drop the hockey puck memorabilia representing more than 200
The Rock Lobsters defeated the Mississippi on opening night. legendary Georgia artists in all genres
Sea Wolves 3-2, high-fiving the Akins Ford Welcome to a new entertainment ecosystem of music. Four interactive exhibits invite
Arena with the first home victory in the in Athens! Part of the Classic Center’s people to explore, touch, and do more, such
club’s history. as a touch-screen encyclopedia of every
campus expansion, the Akins Ford Arena
“The time has come for hockey in the South,” is in the heart of downtown Athens. With entertainer who’s been in Georgia – their
said Paul Cramer, president and CEO of a seating capacity of 8,500, the arena is in albums and their stories. Visitors can play a
the Classic Center. “This brand-new team is the forefront of cultural innovation as it is big piano simulation on the floor with their
now second in the league and will be in the designed to host local and international feet – freeplay or to a programmed song,
playoffs – some of those playoff games will touring concerts, sports events, and special among these experiences. Display cases
be here in Athens.” Cramer added that when performances. Disney on Ice and The share memories of concerts, album covers,
the team scores, the Rock Lobster theme Harlem Globetrotters were some of the first stories about the recording process, fan
song is played, and little kids are snapping touring entertainment staples that the arena merch and behind-the-scenesmoments. See
their fingers along. scheduled for its first seasons. special band guitars, clothing, and listen to

8 Akins Ford Arena Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • athensga.com • 706.549.6800