{{Short description|Convention and arts center in Athens, Georgia, US}} {{Use American English|date=April 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox venue | name = The Classic Center | logo_image = File:Classic_Center logo.jpg | logo_caption = | image = File:The Classic Center theatre and performing arts building in downtown Athens, Georgia 30.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = | pushpin_map = USA Georgia#USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location within Georgia##Location within the United States | pushpin_relief = 1 | pushpin_label = The Classic Center | address = 300 N Thomas Street Athens, GA 30601, United States | coordinates = {{Coord|33.960618|-83.372352|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | opened = 1995 | public_transit = Athens Transit<br>at Athens Multimodal Transportation Center | owner = | operator = The Classic Center Authority | capacity = 2,000 | tenants = UGA Ice Dawgs hockey (SECHC) (2014–2024)<br>Peach State Cats (AAL) (2019) | website = [http://classiccenter.com/ www.ClassicCenter.com] }}

'''The Classic Center''' is a convention center in Athens, Georgia, United States. It was opened in 1995. Located within is '''Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center''', a large event hall that also serves as a 2,000-seat arena. The arena is home to the UGA Ice Dawgs hockey team and formerly the Peach State Cats arena football team. The Classic Center also contains a 2,122-seat theatre. thumb|The 2,122-seat theatre auditorium at the Classic Center

==History==

In 1987, the Civic Center Study Committee was created to determine the ideal public assembly facility for the Athens community. The committee determined that a facility with an 18,000 square-foot ballroom, 28,000 square-foot exhibit hall, and a 2,000-seat theatre was the best option. The facility was designed over the next few years, and construction began in 1994. The first phase opened in 1995, and the theatre opened the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classiccenter.com/168/History|title=History &#124; Classic Center, GA}}</ref> thumb|The Classic Center stage as seen from the topmost balcony In October, 2013, upgrades were approved for the Grand Hall, adding arena-style seating and an ice rink system. The UGA Ice Dawgs hockey team began playing their home games there starting with the 2014–15 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://patch.com/georgia/athens/coming-home-athens-uga-hockey-season-opens-sunday-sept-21-against-rival-florida-0 |title=Coming Home to Athens: UGA Hockey Season Opens Sunday, Sept. 21 against rival Florida |work=Athens Patch |date=September 12, 2014}}</ref> The Grand Hall was referred to as the Classic Center Arena, before being renamed Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center, after the naming rights were sold to Akins Ford of Winder, Georgia in 2015.

In 2018, it was announced that the American Arena League's Peach State Cats arena football team would be moving to Akins Ford Arena at The Classic Center for the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://flagpole.com/blogs/culture-briefs/posts/arena-football-team-will-move-to-athens-next-year |title=Arena Football Team Will Move to Athens Next Year |website=Flagpole.com |author=Blake Aued |date=August 21, 2018}}</ref>

==Akins Ford Arena== {{Main|Akins Ford Arena}} In January 2019, the Classic Center Authority announced their intent to construct the new arena adjacent to the existing site.<ref>{{Cite web|title=03: Classic Center Arena Project {{!}} Athens-Clarke County, GA - Official Website|url=https://www.accgov.com/8907/03-Classic-Center-Arena-Project|access-date=2020-11-14|website=www.accgov.com}}</ref> The new proposed arena is estimated to cost $88.88 million USD (2019) of which $33 million will be funded by the approved 2020 SPLOST Budget.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Classic Center Arena {{!}} Classic Center, GA|url=https://classiccenter.com/340/The-Classic-Center-Arena|access-date=2020-11-14|website=classiccenter.com}}</ref> The arena will be connected to the existing Classic Center, the Multimodal Transportation Center and the downtown district via a new elevated walkway. The arena will have a permanent seating capacity of 5,500<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2021-08-18 |title=Design for Classic Center Arena Close to Approval |url=https://flagpole.com/news/city-dope/2021/08/18/design-for-classic-center-arena-approved/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Flagpole |language=en-US}}</ref> and will be expandable up to 7,500 seats for concerts. Construction began on the new arena in the spring of 2022 and was completed by November 2024. The hotel that was originally planned as a part of the arena was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, The Classic Center Authority has presented a grand vision for the redevelopment of the entire district including a hotel, retirement community, office space, a new judicial center, and a multi-level parkade.<ref name=":0" /> none|thumb|447x447px|Final Presented Design of the Classic Center Arena (August 2021)

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links== * [http://classiccenter.com/ Official website]

Category:Buildings and structures in Athens, Georgia Category:Indoor arenas in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Ice hockey venues in the United States Category:Sports venues in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Convention centers in Georgia (U.S. state)