It’s a good time to be a patron of the Honda Center, as fans with Ducks tickets are enjoying a spectacular run of success by their favorite franchise. Through 27 games, the Ducks have already accrued 44 points, second only to the record-setting Blackhawks in the entire league. Anaheim is running away with the Pacific Division, owning a healthy 12 point advantage in the standings over crosstown rival Los Angeles with just 21 games left to play. The Ducks are a virtual lock for the playoffs at this point, and simply need to keep their core players healthy down the stretch. Read More..

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 2013 NHL season is now a month old, and fans with Ducks tickets have a lot to be excited about these days. The Ducks have gotten off to one of the best starts in the NHL, with a 12-2-1 record through the first 15 games of the season. After failing to make the playoffs a season ago, Anaheim appears well on its way to a spot in the postseason later this year. The Ducks have an incredibly well-rounded squad, with big contributors all throughout the roster. However, the big surprise is that the Ducks’ two best players through the first month of the season have a combined age of 80, as Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu have turned back the clock and produced in a big way for the Pacific Division leaders.
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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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There are a number of Honda Center events throughout the year, ranging from Ducks’ hockey and college basketball games to concerts featuring an incredible array of recording artists and bands. However, the most exciting event of the year could be the Professional Bull Riders’ stop in Anaheim for the Liftmaster Invitational. The Built Ford Tough Series event will pit some of the world’s best riders and bulls against each other in a three-day contest from February 8-10. While the idea of trying to stay on top of a 1,500 pound bull for eight seconds may sound incredibly terrifying to some people, the riders certainly enjoy the thrill and challenge of the event, making for an incredible display of power and skill.

The top rider on the tour this year, Silvano Alves, has racked up two world championships and over $3 million in just under three years on the tour, and is off to a commanding lead in the world rankings already in 2013. Douglas Duncan, Jordan Hupp, Shane Proctor and Robson Palermo round out the top five in the current standings, and will need to step it up in order to have a chance at catching Alves by the end of the season. Last year’s winner, Guilherme Marchi, earned himself a cool $43,075 dollar paycheck, so there is more on the line than just pride. But the riders are not the only stars of the show. The animals on display during PBR events are some of the finest bucking bulls in the world, and the best ones seldom allow their riders to stay on the full eight seconds. Only a select few people have both the skill and the courage to ride a bull for any amount of time, much less the agonizingly long eight seconds that one must stay on to score. But for some of the world’s most daring athletes, the thrill of the ride is well worth the danger.

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.

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!