Mercer County has reported that more than 66,000 guests attended events at CURE Insurance Arena during the first three months of 2026, highlighting the venue’s role as a regional entertainment and economic driver.
Mercer County officials said the attendance included more than 26,000 visitors from the Philadelphia market, more than 21,000 from the New York market and nearly 7,500 from Mercer County. Arena operator Oak View Group reported the figures.
“We’re proud that CURE Insurance Arena continues to draw visitors from across our region to Mercer County and our Capital City of Trenton,” Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said. “From Journey to the debut of the Trenton Ironhawks this fall, we believe that 2026 will be a defining year for CURE.”
Oak View Group officials said the arena continues to serve as a hub for entertainment and economic activity, with concerts, sports and family events bringing visitors into the capital city.
“The CURE Insurance Arena remains a key hub for entertainment, economic growth, and community engagement in the capital city,” said Fran Rodowicz, general manager of the arena. “With a variety of events kicking off 2026, the venue continues to attract thousands of visitors—benefiting both the arena and the surrounding region.”
Events during the quarter included the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney On Ice, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live, New Japan Pro Wrestling and the Journey Final Frontier Tour, along with the debut logo reveal for the Trenton Ironhawks, a new ECHL hockey team scheduled to begin play this fall.
Arena operations generated significant employment activity, with 2,432 part-time staff and laborers supporting events across staging, security, food service and guest services. Those workers logged more than 17,400 hours during the three-month period.
Premium offerings remained strong, with 196 private suites rented for events, while concession sales included thousands of food and beverage purchases. Parking operations handled more than 20,000 vehicles, with prepaid parking and expanded card payment options introduced to improve the visitor experience.
Officials said group sales and community engagement efforts also contributed to attendance, including more than 3,500 tickets sold to groups and participation by local organizations such as the Trenton Children’s Chorus.
Arena officials said the mix of events reflects a strategy to balance large touring productions with family programming and sports entertainment, helping maintain consistent traffic throughout the calendar.
The arena’s regional draw remained a key factor, with strong attendance from both the Philadelphia and New York markets reinforcing its position as a centrally located destination.
Officials also pointed to operational improvements during the quarter, including upgrades to parking systems and payment options, along with staffing adjustments to support a busy schedule.
Looking ahead, arena officials expect attendance to grow further in 2026, particularly with the return of ECHL hockey in October and a full calendar of scheduled events.
CURE Insurance Arena, 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. cureinsurancearena.com
