Over the past three years, the Big West Basketball Tournament has become a key part on the list of Honda Center events. The top eight seeds in the conference will not only be battling it out for bragging rights, but an automatic spot in the NCAA tournament as well. The final two rounds of the Big West women’s basketball tournament will also be played at Honda Center as well. The Big West Conference is largely made up of universities across with California, with the University of Hawaii the lone exception. The other nine schools include defending tournament champion Long Beach State, Pacific, UC Davis, UCSB, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and Cal State Fullerton. The tournament has had many homes throughout its history, including Stockton, Inglewood, Long Beach, Las Vegas and Reno. However, since 2001, the Big West has hosted its annual conference tournament in Anaheim, settling in at the Honda Center in 2011 after 10 years in the Anaheim Convention Center. Read More..

The Honda Center will be hosting one of the most entertaining sporting events in the world, as the Harlem Globetrotters will be making an appearance in Anaheim on their world tour. The Globetrotters, who have been around since the 1920s, have delighted millions of people throughout their existence. Basketball greats such as Wilt Chamberlain and Connie Hawkins have suited up for the ballclub, while recent NBA Slam Dunk contest participant Jamario Moon also made his name playing for the Globetrotters. They have traveled across the world, playing in 120 countries, and are so well-known that even Pope John Paul II was made an honorary member of the team. Initially one of the most competitive basketball teams in the world, the Globetrotters slowly evolved into team known more for its comedic routines and extraordinary skills. The Globetrotters’ most common opponent over the years, the Washington Generals, have won only six games against the Globetrotters since 1953, and have not between their biggest foe since 1971. In fact, the last time Washington defeated Harlem, fans in the stands were visibly upset. Combining showmanship, athletic ability and skill, the Globetrotters are an incredible team to watch in person. Through a combination of deft ball handling, behind the back and between the legs passes, and high flying dunks, the Globetrotters never fail to put on a fun show for fans of all ages. One of the most iconic American sports teams of all-time, the Globetrotters thrill crowds wherever they go.

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Honda Center events are incredibly popular, as the venue has hosted world-class events in sports, entertainment and music. That reputation will only be enhanced this fall, as Rush will play in Anaheim on November 17 in one of the biggest concerts of the year. One of the most successful rock bands of all time, Rush has been a fixture in the world of rock ‘n roll since the 1970s. The trio of bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart have produced 19 studio albums in their nearly 40 years of work together, and have displayed not only the ability to innovate and adapt with the times, but also to remain relevant and popular with several generations of fans. The band’s most successful studio album, Moving Pictures, has sold more than four million copies since its release in 1981, and produced Rush classics “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight”, which are now staples of classic rock stations. A newer generation of Rush fans was also introduced to the band in the 2009 comedy I Love You Man, helping the band attract an even larger fan base.

All of the band members are also well regarded because of their proficiency with their instruments. Lee is one of the most renowned bassists of all time, while Peart’s drum solos are world famous as well. Every one of Peart’s live drum solos is new and improvised, adding to the spectacle and excitement of a Rush show. Another reason Rush is such a good band to see live in concert is their ability to replicate studio-quality sound, something that few bands are able to accomplish. The Honda Center will be rocking when Rush comes to town next month, and the so-called “holy triumvirate” of Lee, Lifeson and Peart always deliver a performance to remember for their loyal fans.

There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming NHL season, but Anaheim Ducks fans can be sure that players will be prepared for the regular season to start on time. Anaheim finished the 2011-2012 season in 13^th place in the Western Conference with 80 points, and missed the playoffs for just the second time since the lockout in 2004. The Ducks will hope that young stars Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan can bounce back to the form they have showed in previous seasons, which in turn should help the team return to the playoffs. When Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan are playing well, there might not be a better trio of forwards in the NHL. Perry, the Hart Trophy winner as the MVP of the league just two season ago, saw his scoring fall from 98 points to 60 points a season ago, and Anaheim has to believe that the big forward will provide the team with more production. Getzlaf and Ryan also did not have their best seasons in 2011-2012, and are each still young enough that they should easily bounce back. One player that age does not seem to effect is Teemu Selanne, who is still going strong after 19 years in the league. The longtime franchise cornerstone from Sweden led the Ducks in scoring with 66 points last season at age 41, and the signed a one-year contract over the summer to remain in Anaheim. Defensively, Anaheim hopes that new signee Sheldon Souray, a three time All-Star, can help improve that unit and give some relief to Jonas Hiller, who also did not play up to his usual standards a season ago. As long as the Ducks rebound offensively, as many people believe, Anaheim should be in prime position for a playoff spot, and as the cross town rival Kings proved just months ago, sometimes that is all it takes to start a quest for the Stanley Cup.

On September 25th 2012, the Ducks will play in their first Preseason game against the Phoenix Coyotes at the Honda Center! Be sure to lock in your tickets before it’s too late!

Get your tickets now to see the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions at the Honda Center on September 16!

The Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions is one of the most awe-inspiring, jaw dropping experiences that you will ever come across!  If you have ever wanted to see elite gymnasts perform on a scale like no other, this is the event for you.  Gymnastics is one of the most interesting sports in the world, requiring a combination of both athleticism and grace that very few, if any, other sports can offer.

This event will feature some of the top gymnasts in the world, including none other than Nastia Liukin, winner of five Olympic medals at the 2008 Beijing games including the gold medal in the All-around category.  Also featured will be Team USA’s top performing men’s and women’s gymnasts from the 2012 London Olympic games, which is scheduled to occur this summer, along with past Olympians and World Championship winners as well.

The Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions is part of a 40-city nationwide tour that will go from Anaheim, California to New York City, New York and everywhere in between!  Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics, has stated this wonderful event will “celebrate the many wonderful things gymnastics means to young people, along with showcasing some of the biggest names in the sport.  Our fans will truly enjoy connecting with the U.S. Olympic team following their accomplishments in London.”

Gymnastics has really caught on in the country in recent years, propelling the USA Gymnastics Team to new heights on both the men’s and women’s fronts.  After watching them perform at the London Olympics in 2012, come and see them in person at the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions.  It will certainly be an opportunity you do not want to miss!

Get your tickets now to see the John R. Wooden Classic at the Honda Center on December 1!

The John R. Wooden Classic has been a staple in the area ever since it first began in 1994 as an annual tribute to one of the greatest college basketball coaches who ever lived.  Wooden passed away in 2010 at the age of 99, and leaves behind an impressive string of accomplishments that will likely never be duplicated again.  He won 10 NCAA Championships with the UCLA Bruins over a 12 year period, and Wooden was named national coach of the year 6 times.  John Wooden was also a great college player in his career at Purdue, where he won a national championship and was also named an All-American for three years there.  He is the first person to be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a coach and a player.

This year’s event will feature a matchup against two up and coming teams in UCLA and San Diego State.  The UCLA Bruins finished the 2011-12 season with a 19-14 record but did not participate in the NCAA Tournament.  They will be returning three starters from the previous year, including the likes of David Wear and Travis Wear, who together averaged more than 20 points per game for the Bruins.  The Bruins will also be joined by a great recruiting class led by Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams.  This will be the 16^th time the UCLA Bruins have participated in the John R. Wooden Classic, having compiled a record of 11-4 in the event’s history.

The Bruins will be facing off against the San Diego State Aztecs, who are coming off of a fantastic season in 2011-12 that saw them make it into the NCAA Tournament as an 11 seed and advance into the second round.  The team will be returning four starters for next season, and should be nationally ranked when the 2012-13 season begins, led by Jamaal Franklin and head coach Steve Fisher.

If you are a fan of comics or want to see a fantastic performance that you will be talking about for days after, you must get tickets to see Batman Live! It will be performed at the Honda Center for only a short period of time from September 5 through 9!

Batman Live is one of the most unique and entertaining arena shows that you will ever see, full of action and fantastic visuals.  DC Comics comes to life in the form of Batman and many other influential characters from one of the greatest selling comics of all time.  Batman Live is a combination of video screen sequences, amazing stunts and illusions, as well as pyrotechnics that are sure to please any age.

Batman Live has a unique storyline attached to it, and features such characters as Batman, Robin, Catwoman, The Joker, The Riddler, and many more!  It is one of the more well-made productions that you will come across as soon as you enter the arena.  There is a 3D Gotham landscape that makes you think you are actually in the city yourself!  Not only that, but you will also witness an LED video wall that comes to life that is shaped just like a bat, along with a Batmobile that was designed specifically for the show!  No stone is left unturned when it comes to quality production, and you will likely never see a performance quite like this one!

Batman Live begins with Robin and his quest for justice, but becomes much more than that when Bruce Wayne gets involved.  The adventure will take you to places such as the Bat Cave, Arkham Asylum, Haly’s Circus, among many others.  Batman Live provides an experience unlike any you will ever come across, and that is what makes it one of the must-see events at the Honda Center in 2012!

Come see One Direction play at the Honda Center live on June 17!

One Direction is one of the biggest pop sensations in years, and is currently touring in North America in support of their newest album titled Up All Night.  The band is made up of the following members: Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan.

The band was first formed on the show “The X Factor,” when the five tried to apply as individuals but could not qualify.  They then joined together and finished in third place in the competition.  After their success on The X Factor, the group debuted with the single “What Makes You Beautiful” in September of 2011.  The song became a hit for One Direction, as is broke pre-order sales for Sony Music and debuted on the UK Singles Chart at number one.  Their second single, “Gotta be You,” was also a great success, and peaked at number three on the same chart.

From their widespread success with the two singles, One Direction released its first full album titled Up All Night in November of 2011.  It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and was the fastest selling album in 2011 even with its late release in the year.  Since Up All Night was released, the album has been sold over 500,000 times, making it one of the most popular albums of any genre in recent years.

In the United States, Up All Night debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making it the third British album to appear in that position alongside ones from Leona Lewis and Susan Boyle.  The album has also been certified platinum in Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, giving the band a worldwide appeal.   If you have never seen One Direction in concert, now is your chance to catch them live while the tour North America!

Get your tickets now to see Caifanes in concert on June 2!

Caifanes is one of the most popular Spanish language rock bands in the world today, having formed all the way back in 1987 in Mexico.  The band consists of the following members: Saul Hernandez (vocals), Alfonso Andre (drums), Diego Herrera (keyboard), Sabo Romo (bass), and Alejando Marcovich (guitar).

Caifanes came out with their self-titled debut album in 1988, which is most known for the popular single, “Mátenmeporque me muero.”  The band was successful in Mexico, but their next album relseased in 1990, El Diablito, helped to ignite the Spanish Rock movement that occurred throughout the 1990s, and was known for the hit “La CelulaQueExplota.”

In 1992 Caifanes continued their success with the album El Silencio, which really showcased the band’s musical talent with such songs as “Nubes,” “EstasDormida,” and “Debajo de TuPiel.”  With many popular songs on the album, Caifanes’ popularity spread beyond Mexico into Central and South America, along with the United States, where they sold out the Hollywood Palladium.

1994 marked the pinnacle of Caifanes success, with the album, “El Nervio del Volcán.”  The album was a marked contrast from their previous ones, as Sabo Romo and Diego Herrera had left the band before the album was recorded.  However even without the two band members, Caifanes produced another great rock album with hits such as “Ayer Me Dijo Un Ave” and “Afuera.”

In 1995, the band broke up due to differences amongst Alejando Marcovich and Saul Hernandez.  However, in 2011 the band reunited to play in the Vive Latino festival and has since been wowing fans with their energy-filled concerts ever since.  Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to catch one of the best Spanish language rock bands in concert!  Buy your tickets to see Caifanes in concert June 2!

The SMTOWN Live World Tour is coming to the Honda Center May 20!

The SMTOWN Live World Tour features a bevy of artists that perform for SM Entertainment, such as BoA, The Grace, Kangta, Super Junior, and EXO-K, among many others.   The music genres from these artists include R&B, pop, dance, and a cappella.

BoA is a Korean pop singer who debuted in the United States with the album BoA on March 17, 2009.  The album peaked at 127 on the Billboard 200, and reached as high as 3 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers, with the most well-known song on the album being “Eat You Up. “

The SMTOWN Live World Tour has had great success over recent years, and has performed all throughout the world since 2008, including Tokyo, Beijing, Los Angeles, and Paris.  It is one of the higher-quality events that is sure to please any music fan who attends.

Get your tickets now to see the SMTOWN Live World Tour!  We still have a great selection of tickets available at fabulous prices, but they won’t be available for too much longer!