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{{Short description|Indoor arena in Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = DCU Center
| nickname = 
| logo_image = [[File:Dcucenter.jpg|150px|Logo]]
| logo_caption = [[File:DCU Center Worcester Massachusetts USA.jpg|275px]]
| caption = Exterior of the DCU Center
| pushpin_map = Massachusetts#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Massachusetts##Location within the United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = DCU Center
| fullname = DCU Center Arena & Convention Center
| former names = Centrum in Worcester <small>(1982–97)</small><br/>Worcester's Centrum Centre <small>(1997–2004)</small>
| address = 50 Foster Street
| location = [[Worcester, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| coordinates = {{Coord|42|15|58|N|71|47|54|W|type:landmark_scale:1000|display=it}}
| broke_ground = December 10, 1977<ref>{{cite web|title=Worcester, Massachusetts: Twenty-Five Years of Downtown Development |url=http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/64866/26187317.pdf?sequence=1 |publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |access-date=July 1, 2012 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| built = 
| opened = {{Start date|1982|09|02}}<ref name="Opening">{{cite news|title=Sinatra Opens Worcester Centrum|first=Ernie|last=Santosuosso|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/666536681.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+04%2C+1982&author=Ernie+Santosuosso+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=REVIEW+%2F+MUSIC%3B+SINATRA+OPENS+WORCESTER+CENTRUM%3B+REPRINTED+FROM+LATE+EDITIONS+OF+YESTERDAY%27S+GLOBE.FRANK+SINATRA+-+WITH%3B+THE+VINNIE+FALCONE+ORCHESTRA%2C+AT+WORCESTER+CENTRUM%2C+THURSDAY+NIGHT.&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131171359/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/666536681.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+04,+1982&author=Ernie+Santosuosso+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=REVIEW+/+MUSIC;+SINATRA+OPENS+WORCESTER+CENTRUM;+REPRINTED+FROM+LATE+EDITIONS+OF+YESTERDAY'S+GLOBE.FRANK+SINATRA+-+WITH;+THE+VINNIE+FALCONE+ORCHESTRA,+AT+WORCESTER+CENTRUM,+THURSDAY+NIGHT.&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=September 4, 1982|access-date=September 23, 2011}}</ref>
| renovated = 2009, 2012, 2013
| expanded = 1997
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Worcester, Massachusetts|City of Worcester]]
| operator = ASM Global
| surface = 
| scoreboard = 
| cost = [[United States dollar|$]]25.6 million<ref name="Opening"/><br/><small>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|25600000|1982}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})</small><br/>[[United States dollar|$]]23 million <small>(2013 renovations)</small>
| architect = [[Ellerbe Becket|FDC, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite book |title=ENR Directory of Contractors|year=1978|publisher=Engineering News-Record|location=New York City}}</ref>
| project_manager = 
| structural engineer = [[LeMessurier Consultants]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Sports Facilities|url=http://www.lemessurier.com/sports_rp.htm|publisher=LeMessurier Consultants|access-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050322222928/http://www.lemessurier.com/sports_rp.htm|archive-date=March 22, 2005}}</ref>
| services engineer = 
| general_contractor = Granger Brothers Inc.<ref>{{cite news |title=Going Platinum|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=WO&p_theme=wo&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F5DDDF34AB0A67C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|location=Worcester|date=September 1, 2002|access-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>
| main_contractors = 
| capacity = Concerts: 14,800<br/>Basketball: 13,000<br/>Hockey: 12,135
| suites = 
| record_attendance = 
| dimensions = 
| acreage = 
| volume = 
| tenants = [[Worcester Railers]] ([[ECHL]]) (2017–present)<br>[[Massachusetts Pirates]] ([[National Arena League|NAL]]/[[Indoor Football League|IFL]]) (2018–2023)<br>[[Worcester Sharks]] ([[American Hockey League|AHL]]) (2006–2015)<br>[[New England Surge]] ([[Continental Indoor Football League|CIFL]]) (2007–2008)<br>[[New England Blazers]] ([[National Lacrosse League|MILL]]) (1989–1991)<br>[[Massachusetts Marauders]] ([[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|AFL]]) (1994)<br>[[Worcester IceCats]] (AHL) (1994–2005)<br>[[Worcester Counts]] ([[World Basketball League|WBL]]) (1989)
| embedded = 
| website = {{URL|dcucenter.com}}
| publictransit = [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|MBTA]] {{rail color box|system=MBTA|line=Framingham}} [[Worcester (MBTA station)|Worcester]] {{access icon}}
}}

The '''DCU Center''' (originally '''Centrum in Worcester''', formerly '''Worcester's Centrum Centre''' and commonly '''Worcester Centrum''') is an indoor [[arena]] and [[convention center]] complex in downtown [[Worcester, Massachusetts]]. The facility hosts a variety of events, including concerts, sporting events, family shows, conventions, trade-shows and meetings. It is owned by the City of Worcester and managed by '''ASM Global''', a private management firm for public assembly facilities.<ref>{{cite news |title=MassMutual Center Counting on Fast Start|url=http://www.masslive.com/hampfrank/republican/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1127461770253730.xml&coll=1|newspaper=[[The Republican (Springfield)]]|date=September 25, 2005|access-date=September 25, 2005}}</ref>

Ten-year naming rights were purchased in 2004 by [[Digital Federal Credit Union]] (DCU) and went into effect January 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=Worcester Centrum to Be Renamed|url=http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/10/07/worcester_centrum_to_be_renamed/?page=full|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=October 7, 2004|access-date=October 26, 2013}}</ref> DCU's naming rights were later extended to 2027.

==History==
The Centrum, or officially '''Centrum in Worcester''' as it was then known, opened in September 1982 after years of construction delays, with a capacity of roughly 12,000. The first performance<ref>Worcester Telegram September 2, 1982</ref> on September 1, 1982, was a free concert sponsored by The City of Worcester with Mayor Sara Robertson acting as Master of Ceremonies with the New England Symphony Orchestra performing. The first paid opening event was a [[Frank Sinatra]] concert on September 2, 1982. The arena was expanded to 14,800 seats in 1989<ref>{{cite news |title=Centrum Center: Building on Success|url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4593588-1.html|work=Amusement Business|date=October 13, 1997|access-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref> with the addition of the 300-level balconies. The convention center addition was completed along with a renovation of arena infrastructure in 1997.<ref>{{cite news |title=Facility Info|url=http://dcucenter.com/facility.php|publisher=DCU Center|access-date=September 25, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051125093052/http://www.dcucenter.com/facility.php|archive-date=November 25, 2005}}</ref> This upgrade resulted in the facility's name change to Worcester's Centrum Centre. The venue received further updates with the DCU naming rights purchase, including new signage both inside and outside the facility, and a new center-hung video scoreboard for the arena bowl. In the summer of 2023, all arena seats were replaced.

==Sports==
[[File:New England Surge.jpg|thumb|200px|right|View of the DCU Center during the inaugural [[New England Surge]] game in April 2007]]

===Ice hockey===
The arena is home to the [[Worcester Railers]] which began play in 2017 as a member of the [[ECHL]]. The arena was formerly home to the [[Worcester Sharks]] [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) team, owned and operated by its [[National Hockey League|NHL]] affiliate [[San Jose Sharks]], which moved its farm team to the west coast in 2015. Prior to this, the venue was home to the [[Worcester IceCats]], also of the AHL. The arena also hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic on January 29, 2009. The PlanetUSA All stars defeated Team Canada, 14–11, in the highest-scoring AHL All Star game in history.

===Basketball===
Worcester has been host to [[Boston Celtics]] preseason games in some years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=STAFF |first=Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE |title=Celtics are back at DCU |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/worcester/2007/10/19/celtics-are-back-at-dcu/52765228007/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> They also hosted the first and second rounds of the 1992 and 2005 NCAA men's Division I basketball tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |title=Preseason Game Called at Halftime Because of Condensation on Court|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=3071143&type=story|work=[[ESPN]]|date=October 19, 2007|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

===Indoor football===
The arena has been home to multiple [[indoor American football|indoor football]] teams. The [[Massachusetts Marauders]] of the [[Arena Football League]] played in the arena in the 1994 season, but folded after one year in Massachusetts. The [[New England Surge]] of the [[Continental Indoor Football League]] also called the Center home for two seasons, but ceased operations after the 2008 season. In 2018, the [[Massachusetts Pirates]] began their inaugural season in the [[National Arena League]], going 11-5 and regular season champions in their first year. They joined the [[Indoor Football League]] in 2021, and went on to win that year's [[United Bowl (IFL)|United Bowl]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts Pirates prevail in overtime at Arizona, capture Indoor Football League title |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/sports/2021/09/13/massachusetts-pirates-arizona-rattlers-united-bowl-indoor-football-league-championship/8321264002/ |access-date=2021-09-27 |website=Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, the [[Massachusetts Pirates]], announced they would be departing the arena. 

===Professional wrestling===
On May 17, 1998, it was the host of [[WCW]]'s [[Slamboree (1998)|WCW Slamboree]]. Additionally, on April 27, 2003, [[Backlash (2003)|WWE Backlash]] came to the DCU Center.

In additional several [[WWE]] events have taken place at the DCU Center. On December 28, 1998, [[Mick Foley]], performing under the name Mankind, won his first WWE Championship during the taping of the January 4, 1999 edition of ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' at the Worcester Centrum Centre, defeating [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://thisweekinworcester.com/raw-worcester-city-played-big-role-wrestling-programs-first-25-years/|title=RAW is Worcester: City Played Big Role in Wrestling Program's First 25 Years – This Week In Worcester|date=21 January 2018|access-date=9 May 2018|archive-date=May 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509222733/https://thisweekinworcester.com/raw-worcester-city-played-big-role-wrestling-programs-first-25-years/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 5, 2002, it hosted a house show that would end up being the final show held under the WWF name, with the company changing its name to the WWE one day later. On July 12, 2005, it was the host of the July 14, 2005 taping of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''. On November 2, 2009, it was the host of ''WWE Raw'' for the first time in nine years.<ref>{{Cite web |last=STAFF |first=Richard Duckett TELEGRAM & GAZETTE |title=Kingston, Ozzy set for WWE at DCU |url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/north/2009/10/30/kingston-ozzy-set-for-wwe/51817569007/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 14, 2014, it was the host of the January 17 taping of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}} It was the host of ''WWE SmackDown'' when it went live on July 19, 2016, an episode featuring WWE's second ever [[2016 WWE Draft|brand extension draft]].{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

For the first time [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] debuted at the DCU Center on January 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=1/20 TNA Results Worcester, Mass.|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_57247.shtml#.U5cx4_k7uSo|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=January 21, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

===Boxing===
On February 11, 1983, [[Marvelous Marvin Hagler]] retained his [[World Boxing Council|WBC]], [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] and ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' [[Middleweight]] titles against English boxer [[Tony Sibson]] at the arena. It was Hagler's 60th professional fight and his 56th win overall. The fight was the only time Hagler fought at the arena and was the last of 36 he fought in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

===Collegiate===
The [[College of the Holy Cross]] uses the facility as an alternate location for anticipated larger attendance home games for men's basketball and men's ice hockey.

==Music==
During the 1980s, the arena became an alternate stop for touring musical acts, offering them a small venue that could draw from both the Boston and Providence concert markets simultaneously. The old [[Boston Garden]] had poor acoustics and lacked air conditioning, prompting promoters to schedule Boston area shows at the arena. This practice continues today as the arena is an alternative to the larger [[TD Garden]].

The impact was also felt immediately thirty-five miles south at the Providence Civic Center. Within six months of The Centrum's opening, Providence's [[WPRI-TV|WPRI]] Channel 12 news ran a two-part story by reporter Brian Rooney citing a situation the week prior with the KISS band as a prime example of how the newly built Centrum was cutting deeply into the Providence Civic Center's vital concert business.

Shortly after the Centrum's September 1982 opening, RI promoter Frank J. Russo scheduled [[Kiss (band)|KISS]] on their [[Creatures of the Night Tour/10th Anniversary Tour|Creatures of the Night Tour]]/10th Anniversary Tour for a January 23, 1983 show at their usual area stop – the [[Amica Mutual Pavilion|Providence Civic Center]]. He also scheduled a show the night prior at the new Centrum. The Centrum KISS date sold thousands more tickets than the Civic Center KISS date, which petered out at 2,000 sales. Russo canceled the Providence show and publicly offered to trade Centrum KISS show tickets for Civic Center KISS show tickets in lieu of refunds, throwing in a free bus ride up and back.<ref>The Providence Journal Bulletin, January 21, 1983 "KISS is Back: 'We're Like an Army.'"</ref> On January 22, 1983, hundreds of fans departed from Sabin Street in front of the Providence Civic Center, headed up on chartered buses to the competing venue (after this, for the next four tours in a row, only the Centrum got area bookings from KISS; they did not attempt to play the Providence Civic Center again until 1988).<ref>KISS Alive: The Complete Touring History, Billboard Books, New York, NY 2000</ref> On January 27, 1988, KISS paused in the middle of their Crazy Nights tour concert at the arena and filmed most of the footage for a music video supporting their impending "Turn On The Night" single. The video was directed by [[Marty Callner]] who laid tracks inside the security barrier in front of the stage for a moving camera to film up at lead singer Paul Stanley dancing up a stage ramp while lip-synching the lyrics and featured a dolly shot running down the center aisle showing the crowd. "Turn On the Night" only charted in the UK, where it reached #41.

Rooney reported the new Centrum was "thriving", and already "doing double the business expected" despite the recession. Worcester Centrum Director Antonio Tavares told Rooney, in a shot at his competition down south, "You can no longer sit and wait for the phone to ring and expect acts to be calling you, especially unique types of events, and say 'Hey, we're interested in playing the Providence Civic Center'. That doesn't happen anymore."<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/xIa7qHY1YAs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191109022153/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIa7qHY1YAs&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIa7qHY1YAs| title = KISS - Creatures of the Night Tour TV news Report - Worcester, MA | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Rooney showed footage of a tennis match, a tractor pull, and KISS playing to underline the variety of events hosted by the new Centrum after only a few months of operation.

From August 13 to August 24, 1987, in an effort to thank their local fans for years of support and allow wide availability of tickets, [[Boston (band)|Boston]] played an unprecedented nine-show run on their [[Third Stage Tour|Third Stage tour]]. Starting with a three-night booking, as each show neared selling out another night was added. This successful tour stop prompted a good-natured ad parody on rock radio station [[WBCN (FM)|WBCN]], "Now appearing at the Centrum, Boston on Ice!", a reference to themed [[ice shows]].

The arena played host to what some fans consider to be the greatest two-night stand in the history of The [[Dave Matthews Band]],{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} in December 1998. Fresh off their May release of ''[[Before These Crowded Streets]]'', they played some of the more diverse concerts in their history. [[Bela Fleck and the Flecktones]] joined DMB for these shows opening both nights and even sitting in on much of sets for both nights.

The [[Grateful Dead]] played the Centrum 12 times between 1983 and 1988. Dates they played included 10/20/83, 10/21/83, 10/8/84, 10/9/84, 11/4/85, 11/5/85, 4/2/87, 4/3/87, 4/4/87, 4/7/88, 4/8/88, and 4/9/88. 4/3/87 is the most listened-to Grateful Dead tape on Archive.org. [[Bill Walton]] took the [[Boston Celtics]] to see the Grateful Dead at the Centrum.

The venue has hosted 16 concerts of the band [[Phish]]. On December 31, 1993, they played their first concert at the Centrum, complete with a stage decorated like an aquarium (featured for the 1993 New Years run). Footage from this show was featured in the band's only official music video, "[[Down with Disease]]", whose jam debuted that night.<ref name="dcu">{{cite web |title=Featured Column: The Top 10 Phish NYE Stunts – Jambands |url=https://jambands.com/features/2014/12/30/featured-column-the-top-10-phish-nye-stunts/ |website=Jambands |access-date=25 September 2018 |date=30 December 2014}}</ref> On November 29, 1997, Phish played their longest song in band history, a 58-minute version of "Runaway Jim".<ref>{{cite web |title=20 Minute Jam Chart|url=http://phish.net/setlists/twenty-minute-jams.php|publisher=Phish|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> The concert performed nearly a year later, on November 27, 1998, was later released as a live album, entitled ''[[Live Phish Volume 6]]''. On December 27–28, 2010, they returned for a pair of concerts, the group's 11th and 12th appearances at the venue and its first public performances there in over seven years, performing one of the most well received{{Citation needed|date=September 2016}} renditions of "[[Harry Hood (song)|Harry Hood]]" since reuniting in 2009. They would return for two more concerts on June 7–8, 2012, notable for being that Summer tour's opening concerts. Phish would again return amidst their acclaimed Fall 2013 tour for two concerts on October 25–26, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Venues|url=http://phish.net/venue/241|publisher=Phish|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

The arena played host to The [[Up in Smoke Tour]] on July 20–21, 2000. The show featured many famous rappers and hip hop artists, including [[Ice Cube]], [[Eminem]], [[Proof (rapper)|Proof]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Nate Dogg]], [[Kurupt]], [[D12]], [[MC Ren]], [[Westside Connection]], [[Melvin "Mel-Man" Bradford|Mel-Man]], [[Tha Eastsidaz]], [[Doggy's Angels]], [[Devin The Dude]], [[Warren G]], [[TQ (singer)|TQ]], [[Truth Hurts (singer)|Truth Hurts]], [[Xzibit]] and [[The D.O.C]]. The July 20 show was filmed and later released as a live DVD.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

The arena played host to The [[Tattoo the Earth]] Tour on October 5–7, 2001, and October 12–14, 2002. The show featured performances by [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[Slayer]], [[Sevendust]], [[Sepultura]], [[Hed PE]], [[Mudvayne]], [[downset.]], [[Hatebreed]], [[Full Devil Jacket]], Famous, [[Amen (American band)|Amen]], [[U.P.O.]], [[Nothingface (band)|Nothingface]], PPM, [[Cold (band)|Cold]], Relative Ash, [[Systematic (band)|Systematic]], [[Six Feet Under (band)|Six Feet Under]], [[Candiria]], [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], [[God Forbid]], [[Darkest Hour (band)|Darkest Hour]], [[Unearth]], [[All That Remains (band)|All That Remains]], [[Dropkick Murphys]], [[Sick of It All]], [[Tiger Army]], [[Converge (band)|Converge]], [[The Unseen (band)|The Unseen]], [[Reach the Sky]], [[Stretch Arm Strong]], [[Kill Your Idols]] and [[Nashville Pussy]]. It also featured 42 tattoo artists from Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Malaysia, Manitoba, Spain, Switzerland and the US.{{citation needed|date=January 2016}}

On October 29, 2016, Parachute Concerts and area based Veteran Independent Promoter Ed Atamian brought the nostalgic Rap R&B throwback 'I Love The 90's Tour' to the arena. Featuring Salt N Pepa ft. DJ Spinderella, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, Young MC, Color Me Badd, All 4 One. The show sold thousands of tickets. Its success hearkens back to the venues and Worcester's strong performance with Urban concerts since the early 1990s.

[[Boston]] natives [[Aerosmith]] have performed at the DCU Center 13 times over the course of their career, including a few New Year's Eve shows.<ref>{{cite web |title=Previous Tours|url=http://www.aeroforceone.com/index.cfm/pk/content/pid/804156|publisher=Aerosmith|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

Popular rapper [[Tyler, the Creator]] took the stage at DCU on March 3, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hear the rap stylings of Tyler, the Creator at DCU Center |url=https://www.boston.com/things-to-do/concerts/tyler-the-creator-dcu-center-march-2022/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Other events==
The arena features annual appearances of the top family shows including [[Sesame Street Live]], [[Disney on Ice]], [[Harlem Globetrotters]] and [[The Wiggles]], among others.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcucenter.com/event-calendar/|title=Events|access-date=August 3, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Professional Bull Riders]] (PBR) has hosted a [[Built Ford Tough Series]] [[bull riding]] event at the arena every year from the event's inception in 1998.<ref>{{cite web|title=Touring Pro Division |url=http://www.pbrnow.com/competition/tpd/event.cfm?event=1526 |publisher=Professional Bull Riders |access-date=July 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720190724/http://www.pbrnow.com/competition/tpd/event.cfm?event=1526 |archive-date=July 20, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref> The Built Ford Tough Series was known as the Bud Light Cup until the 2002 season.

On January 29–30, 2011, the Massachusetts International 28th Auto Show was held at the arena.<ref>{{cite news |title=Auto Buffs Find Latest Dreams at DCU Show|first=Thomas|last=Caywood|url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20110130/NEWS/101300484/0/news03|newspaper=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|location=Worcester|date=January 30, 2011|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref>

On June 11, 2014, [[Worcester Technical High School]] held their graduation at the DCU Center, notable for the commencement address by President [[Barack Obama]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2014/06/11/president-obama-speaks-worcester-tech-massachusetts|title=President Obama Gives the Commencement Address at Worcester Tech in Massachusetts|author=David Hudson|date=June 11, 2014}}</ref>

On November 18, 2015, future President [[Donald Trump]] held a rally at the DCU Center for a campaign stop. Secret Service agents screened attendees before the event. A crowd of over 10,000 was in attendance.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/worcester/index.ssf/2015/11/donald_trump_draws_crowd_of_10.html|title=Donald Trump draws crowd of 10,500 to Worcester's DCU Center, slams Jeb Bush and other rivals|access-date=August 3, 2019|author=Gintautus Dumcius|date=November 19, 2015|publisher=Masslive.com}}</ref>

On August 23–25, 2019, a [[Super Smash Bros.]] tournament titled Shine 2019 was held at the DCU Center. Over 1,600 competitors attended the tournament and the livestream had over 30,000 concurrent viewers on the final day.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shaner|first=Bill|title=The soul of the game: Inside the wild world of esports at the DCU Center|url=https://www.worcestermag.com/entertainmentlife/20190829/soul-of-game-inside-wild-world-of-esports-at-dcu-center|access-date=2021-04-27|website=Worcester Magazine|language=en}}</ref>

==Expansion, convention center==
[[File:DCU Center Convention Center.JPG|thumb|left|1997 Convention Center addition]]
The facility expanded in 1997 with the opening of an attached convention center that features panoramic views of downtown Worcester.<ref name=DCU/> The complex added {{convert|50000|sqft|m2}} of exhibit space, 11 meeting rooms, a {{convert|12144|sqft|m2|adj=on}} ballroom (the largest in Central Massachusetts) and a kitchen. The facility's 100,000-plus square feet of exhibit space is filled by consumer shows, trade shows, conventions, conferences, and other public and private functions year-round. An additional headquarters hotel for the facility, the Hilton Garden, opened in October 2006, doubling the number of rooms previously available in the facility's other headquarters hotel, the former Crowne Plaza that closed in 2009.

==Renovations==
[[File:DCU Center Worcester MA.JPG|thumb|left|Foster Street façade before 2012 renovation]]
It was announced on June 3, 2009, that the DCU Center would undergo a series of major renovations. There were to be three or four phases to the renovations, scheduled to avoid the Worcester Sharks AHL season. Work on the arena was expected to last three to four summers. Some of the major improvements were a new electrical system, new ice chillers, and a completely new ice floor all of which are original to the arena which opened in 1982. Other improvements to the arena during phase 1 will include a new dasher board system and a new seamless glass system, which are often found in new arenas.

During the summer of 2012, phase 2 of the renovations began. These included a new glass wall on the Foster Street side of the building; major improvements to heating, ventilation and cooling systems; upgrades to restrooms and concessions; and a new dehumidification system.<ref>{{cite news |title=DCU to Get $20 Million Face Lift|first=Priyanka|last=Dayal |url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20120122/NEWS/101229813/1003/RSS01&source=rss|newspaper=[[Telegram & Gazette]]|location=Worcester|date=January 22, 2012|access-date=February 20, 2012}}</ref> In 2018/2019, a plan of $37 million renovations were announced for the next four years.<ref name=DCU>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegram.com/news/20160724/dcu-center-fresh-off-multi-million-dollar-upgrade-prepares-for-more|title=DCU Center, fresh off multi-million dollar upgrade, prepares for more|publisher=telegram.com|author=Lisa Eckelbecker|access-date=August 3, 2019|date=July 24, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wbjournal.com/article/dcu-center-prepping-37m-upgrade-to-compete-against-other-arenas|title=DCU Center prepping $37M upgrade to compete against other arenas|date=March 18, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2019|publisher=wbjournal.com|author=Grant Welker}}</ref> In the summer of 2023, the facility replaced all arena seats.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.dcucenter.com}}
* [http://www.DestinationWorcester.org/ City's Visitor website]

{{Worcester Railers}}
{{ECHL Arenas}}
{{IFL Arenas}}
{{NAL}}
{{Massachusetts Marauders}}
{{Music venues of Massachusetts}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dcu Center}}
[[Category:1982 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American football venues in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Basketball in Worcester, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:College ice hockey venues in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Convention centers in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1982]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Worcester, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Worcester IceCats]]
[[Category:Worcester Railers]]
[[Category:Worcester Sharks]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues in the United States]]