[6] Since November 2006, it serves as the home to the Virginia Cavaliers men's and women's basketball teams, as well as for concerts and other events.

[14] The arena plays host to not only basketball games, but a wide variety of concerts, performances and other events; for example, its opening season in 2006 included events such as the Charlottesville-originated Dave Matthews Band, as well as Cirque du Soleil, Larry the Cable Guy, The Wiggles, Disney on Ice & WWE Monday Night Raw.

[16] The University of Virginia opened the John Paul Jones Arena on November 12, 2006, with a pair of victories.

Both games included elaborate pre-game festivities that featured a fireworks display and the Cavalier mascot rappelling from the rafters.

Michael Buffer was introduced to announce the Virginia starting lineup prior to the men's game.

Also at this game, the fans in attendance said goodbye to two fourth-year players, J. R. Reynolds and Jason Cain, both of whom had contributed to the Virginia basketball program.

It was the final home game for future NBA players Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell, as well as former walk-on player Thomas Rogers; Rogers' three-point field goal at the end of the game, and the subsequent reaction by the crowd and team, were particularly noted by media and the Cavalier fanbase.

[20][21] JPJ is known as harboring one of the best basketball home-court advantages and crowd noise in the Atlantic Coast Conference and nationwide.

Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino of Louisville (and Kentucky) said on the eve of his first game at JPJ in 2015 that he'd heard Virginia has "one of the best arenas in the ACC" and he was "looking forward to seeing it.

"[9] Pitino would later add to his praise, "[At UVA] they all stand up with 10 seconds to go [on the shot clock], cheering their team on defensively.

[30] John Paul Jones Arena is the unofficial home venue for the Dave Matthews Band, which was founded in Charlottesville in 1991.

Before John Paul Jones Arena was built, Charlottesville was not equipped to handle the masses of WWE fans.

On October 17, 2009, Metallica played their "World Magnetic" tour at the arena, supported by Lamb of God and Gojira.

Jesse Matthew was later charged with Harrington's (and Hannah Graham's) abduction and murder, and he pled guilty to the crimes in exchange for life in prison in March 2016.

Two days later, the arena hosted a rally to welcome home the 2015 Virginia Cavaliers baseball team following their College World Series championship.

[36] On April 13, 2019, John Paul Jones Arena hosted Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live.

On September 13, 2019, the Virginia Men's Basketball team got their 2019 NCAA tournament championship rings at John Paul Jones Arena.