The centre is air-conditioned (installed as a requirement of the NBL when it moved to playing in the summer), equipped with top-grade lights, and also has scoreboards used for basketball and netball games.

The centre's original tenant was the Newcastle Falcons NBL team who moved to the new venue in 1992 from their previous home at the Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium.

After the Falcons folded at the end of the 1999 season its only tenant was the Hunter Jaegers netball team who played in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy.

The Newcastle Entertainment Centre was built as a multi-purpose facility to host concerts, sporting events, exhibitions and functions.

The centre has played host to concerts by many nationally and internationally renowned performers including John Denver, Tina Arena, Tones and I, Cher, Celine Dion, Jason Derulo, John Farnham, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Rhianna, Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pet Shop Boys, P!nk, Powderfinger, Cliff Richard, Silverchair, Taylor Swift, Lorde, Queens Of The Stone Age, Beastie Boys, Gang Of Youths, Jane's Addiction, The Smashing Pumpkins and The Wiggles.