The Baltimore Blast plays all its home games at 1st Mariner Arena, located in the heart of downtown Baltimore.

1st Mariner Arena
201 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-347-2020
1stMarinerArena.com



Baltimore’s indoor soccer franchise has played its home games at the 1st Mariner Arena (formerly the Baltimore Arena and before that, the Civic Center) since the team’s first-ever game in Baltimore on November 29th, 1980. The Blast defeated Philadelphia, 10-7, that night to kick off what has been 30 years of professional indoor soccer in the Charm City.

1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility, has long been considered an anchor, which contributed to the growth and prosperity of Baltimore. The facility opened in 1962 and was the cornerstone of the Baltimore Inner Harbor redevelopment. Major renovations occurred in the late 80's. The 1st Mariner Arena is just a short distance from harbor front attractions and major hotels. An 850-car garage is attached to the facility for the convenience of patron parking and there are thousands of additional parking spaces nearby.

1st Mariner Arena began as the Civic Center in 1962. In 1986 the facility was renamed the Baltimore Arena and in 2003 was again renamed 1st Mariner Arena. The official opening of the Civic Center began with a Baltimore Clippers game with entertainment by Paul Anka. From there, the list of stars and guests increased with acts like the Beatles, Elvis, the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, the Supremes, and more.

1st Mariner Arena is City-owned facility which hosts an average of 800,000 guests and 120 events annually. One professional sports franchise-- the Baltimore Blast soccer team calls 1st Mariner Arena home. Shows like Sesame Street Live, Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, Stars on Ice, Monster Jam, Motocross, WWE and more, regularly play the facility each year. The Arena also hosts events such as boxing, basketball, graduations, tennis, comedy shows and other miscellaneous events.

SMG, a Philadelphia based private facility management company, assumed leadership of 1st Mariner Arena in 1999. Since then the Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment such as Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Toby Keith, The Eagles, Kanye West, Rascal Flatts, U2, Martina McBride, Hilary Duff, the Rolling Stones and more. In April of 2006 1st Mariner Arena will host the 55th Annual Miss USA Competition.

Blast owner and 1st Mariner Bank President and CEO Ed Hale acquired the naming rights to the arena through his company Arena Ventures, LLC as a result of a national competitive bidding process conducted by the City of Baltimore. Arena Ventures has agreed to pay the City $75,000 annually for 10 years for the naming rights.

As part of the naming rights agreement, 1st Mariner Bank has the right to place a series of 1st Mariner Arena signs on the building’s exterior, as well as place signage throughout the interior of the arena and its concourses.

1st Mariner Arena has 11,000 permanent seats (3 levels in a horseshoe shape) facing a 58' deep x 117' wide x 42' high wooden permanent proscenium stage. Temporary seating is used on the floor and/or the stage for various event configurations. With floor seating concert or meeting capacity is 13,500; other shows and sporting events capacities range from 11,000 to 14,000. The Arena can also be curtained down to a 5,000-person capacity with a portable stage house center. The ice system was completely replaced in 1997. 

1st Mariner Arena is easily accessible via Interstates 95, 295, 83 and 395 and is located approximately seven miles from Baltimore/Washington International Airport. The light rail and major bus lines stop alongside the facility. 

1st Mariner Arena Frequently Asked Questions:
FAQs

1st Mariner Arena Seat Locator:
Where are my seats?

Directions and Other Info: 

From points south via 95 North:
95 North to 395 North. 1st Mariner Arena is three blocks ahead on the right.

From points south via 295 North:
295 North (becomes Russell Street at city limits).
Russell North (becomes Paca).
Paca North to Baltimore.
Right on Baltimore Street; 2 blocks to Arena (on right hand-side at Howard and Baltimore streets).

From points north via 95 South:
95 South through Fort McHenry Tunnel to 395 (Exit 53 - Downtown).
1st Mariner Arena is three blocks ahead on the right at the end of 395.

From Hunt Valley, York, Harrisburg, and Southern PA:
83 South to St. Paul, south to Lombard. Right on Lombard.
Proceed north to 1st Mariner Arena.

From Western Maryland, Frederick, Hagerstown:
70 or 40 West to 695 (Baltimore Beltway). Proceed on 695 (towards Glen Burnie) to 95 North to 395 (follow directions from 395 as above).

From Eastern Shore / Bay Bridge:
Route 50 to 97 North to Baltimore.
695 to Towson. 95 North to exit at 395 downtown.
Proceed with directions as above.

Parking:
There are approximately 22,000 parking spaces in the general vicinity, and an 850-car garage, which abuts the facility on Howard Street for the convenience of patron parking.

Light Rail:
Runs between Hunt Valley and Glen Burnie.
Seven of light rail's 32 stops are in Downtown, Baltimore.
There is a stop on Howard Street directly in front of the Arena.
Hours of operation: Mon - Fri 6am-11pm; Sat 8am-11pm; Sun 11am-7pm.

Metro Subway:
Runs between Owings Mills and Johns Hopkins Hospital.
Hours of Operation: Mon - Fri 5am-midnight; Sat 6am-midnight; Sun closed. 

Bus Stop Information: MTA (410) 539-5000 For park and ride information, contact MTA for scheduled times.