The Numbers Behind the Shift

Van Andel Arena saw a significant drop in attendance during fiscal year 2026, while DeVos Place reported record growth. The two publicly owned Grand Rapids venues experienced opposite trends in the same year, according to a report from Legends Global, the company that manages the facilities.

The report was provided to the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA), which owns both venues. Fiscal year 2026 ran from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

• Van Andel Arena attendance fell to 762,038, down from 923,810 in the prior year. This represents a 17.5% decline.
• DeVos Place attendance rose to 383,465, up 12.5% from the previous year.
• DeVos Performance Hall attendance reached 271,861, a 2.4% increase.

Why the Arena Slipped

Rick MacKeigan, general manager of the venues, attributed part of the arena's decline to the opening of Acrisure Amphitheater.

"I think this is another clear illustration where yes, concert activity down from a great year, but activity here was up," MacKeigan said, referring to DeVos Place.

The arena hosted 34 concerts in fiscal year 2026, down from 42 the year before. Some performers who might have played the indoor arena instead booked shows at the new outdoor amphitheater, which is also owned by the CAA.

Family shows also dropped sharply. The arena hosted only 10 family events in 2026, compared to 21 in 2025. MacKeigan noted that some touring attractions, including the Ringling Brothers Circus and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, operate on multi-year cycles and did not return in 2026.

Despite the decline, MacKeigan called fiscal year 2026 "definitely a top 10 year for the arena" and suggested it may rank as the sixth-best year overall.

DeVos Place's Growth

DeVos Place saw its event income rise to approximately $5.5 million, an increase of less than $1 million from the prior year. The convention center hosted 326 events in 2026, down from 357 in 2025.

MacKeigan credited Experience Grand Rapids and Legends Global staff for activating the center effectively.

"If you look at that total 326, that's not many days where there isn't something going on," he said.

Venue officials said the gains at DeVos Place reflect a return to pre-pandemic visitor activity and successful destination marketing for Grand Rapids.

The Bottom Line

Van Andel Arena's event income fell by roughly $3 million following a record or near-record performance in fiscal year 2025. DeVos Performance Hall, the 2,543-seat venue that hosts Broadway Grand Rapids and other arts groups, saw its event income increase from about $3.25 million to $3.5 million.

MacKeigan said the mixed performance across the venues results in a financial impact that is "either neutral or somewhat positive to the CAA."