(RICHMOND, Va. – April 17, 2025) — Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has partnered with the world’s No. 1 development and full-service venue company, ASM Global, which will assume the management and operation of Special Events at the Stuart C. Siegel Center on July 1, 2025.
The Stuart C. Siegel Center joins ASM Global’s worldwide portfolio of more than 400 stadiums, arenas, theaters, and convention centers. The company’s expanding collection of university venues features facilities at Wake Forest University, the University of Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh, and Fresno State University, among others.
“In this new economy for college athletics, we need to examine every resource on campus to maximize revenue generation,” said Ed McLaughlin, Virginia Commonwealth University athletic director. “Our new partners at ASM Global are the worldwide leader in running facilities for outside events. We made this decision in order to build a sustainable revenue model that will grow in several areas over time with a trusted partner.”
ASM Global will provide industry expertise, best practices and tools, and leverage its vast network of promoters to attract various events, including concerts, family shows and special events, with the first scheduled for fall 2025.
“ASM Global’s worldwide portfolio boasts many venues, which are comparable to the Stuart C. Siegel Center; and locally we manage Altria Theater, Dominion Energy Center and Henrico Sports & Events Center,” said Harry Cann, senior vice president, business development, ASM Global. “Our goal for this venue is to enhance the campus experience for students, alumni, donors, staff, and others by increasing the quantity and quality of non-athletics programming. With the venue’s location, seating capacity and production capabilities, the facility fills a niche in the local and regional market; and combined with our global and regional experience, we are excited at the level of potential of this partnership.”
The 7,637-seat Stuart C. Siegel Center serves as a focal point for VCU and has become one of Richmond’s most exciting sporting venues. Situated in the heart of the city, the $30.1 million, nearly 200,000-square-foot facility is home to VCU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the women's volleyball program.
Since its opening in 1999, the arena has continued to provide a high-quality, multipurpose indoor facility that accommodates both Division I NCAA athletics and a variety of special events. The venue has hosted exciting events featuring the Washington Wizards and the Harlem Globetrotters, as well as performances by some of the top artists in the music industry, including James Taylor, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, and Sheryl Crow.
For more information on the Stuart C. Siegel Center and event updates, please visit https://vcuathletics.com/.