The first Northern Illinois athletic event in the new facility happened on August 30, 2002, when the Huskies women's volleyball team defeated IUPUI, 3–1, in the opening round of the Best Western Invitational at Victor E.

[4] Entertainers that have performed at the center include Bob Dylan (from Minnesota), Bill Cosby, Blue Man Group, Brooks & Dunn, Daughtry in 2012, Sheryl Crow (from Missouri) in 2013, Drake, Dave Chappelle, Sugarland, Goo Goo Dolls, 3 Doors Down, Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner, Chamillionaire, Chingy (from STL), Rascal Flatts (from Ohio), Michelle Branch, John Mayer, Wayne Brady, O.A.R., Hoobastank, Ludacris (from Illinois, in 2003), Ashlee Simpson, Jason Aldean, REO Speedwagon (from Champaign), Ja Rule, Counting Crows, Jimmy Eat World with Paramore, B.B.

King, 311 (from Omaha), Cheap Trick (from Rockford), Joan Jett, Cedric the Entertainer (from STL), Larry the Cable Guy (from Nebraska), Nelly and St. Lunatics in 2005, Ciara, Dierks Bentley, Kanye West (from Oak Lawn, Illinois, in 2005), Twista (from Chicago, in 2005.)

Lupe Fiasco (from Chicago, in 2011), Kid Cudi (from Cleveland) in 2013, Incubus, Staind, Big & Rich, Three Days Grace, Casting Crowns, Styx (from Chicago) with Kansas, Jars of Clay (from IL), Gretchen Wilson (from Illinois), Brett Eldredge (from Illinois), Garrison Keillor (from Minnesota), Sesame Street Live, Young Jeezy, T.I., and T-Pain.

The arena was also the site of a memorial service held on February 24, 2008, in tribute to the victims of the Northern Illinois University shooting.