Mid-America Center

The Mid-America Center is an arena and convention center located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States, five minutes from downtown Omaha, Nebraska. The arena's maximum capacity is about 9,000 for concerts and 6,700 for ice hockey and arena football. The arena continues to provide free parking. Caesars Entertainment began managing the Center in 2012, taking over from SMG.^[4]

Mid-America Center

MAC
Former names	Mid-America Recreation and Convention Complex (planning/construction)
Address	1 Arena Way
Location	Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
Owner	City of Council Bluffs
Operator	Caesars Entertainment
Capacity	Concerts: 9,000 Hockey: 6,793 Basketball: 7,000
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction
Broke ground	2000
Opened	October 18, 2002; 22 years ago (October 18, 2002)
Construction cost	$75 million[1] ($131 million in 2024 dollars[2])
Architect	HNTB
Services engineer	DF&H Services, PLLC.[3]
General contractor	J.E. Dunn Construction Group[1]
Tenants
Omaha/River City Lancers (USHL) (2002–2009) Iowa Blackhawks/Council Bluffs Express (APFL) (2004–2012) Omaha Rollergirls (WFTDA) (2011–2012) Iowa Rampage (AFL) (2024)
Website
Venue Website

It was the home of the Iowa Blackhawks of the APFL. From 2002 to 2009, it hosted the Omaha Lancers of the USHL. From February 19, 2011, to February 2013, it hosted roller derby bouts for the Omaha Rollergirls of the WFTDA.

The arena has hosted events including family shows, USHL hockey, and community events. Many top names in the music industry have performed here. The center has hosted the Omaha Press Club Show, Peel's Salon Shows, OWH Bridal Ideas Shows, River City Hunting & Fishing Expo, and Nebraska State Bridge Tournament, which hosts Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

Features

• Arena: 30,000 square feet (pillar free), 12 luxury suites, 2 party rooms
• Convention center: 24,500 square feet (2,280 m²) exhibition hall, 120-150 exhibit trade show booths, 23,000+ square feet of ballroom/meeting space, 90-112 exhibit trade show booths in ballroom, 8 meeting rooms, 15,000 square feet (1,400 m²) in pre-function area
• Free parking: 2,600 open-surfaced spaces surrounding the complex