Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Phone: (218) 722-5573

About Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), originally called the Duluth Arena Auditorium, is an arena located in Duluth, Minnesota and has been home to the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog hockey team since 1966.

Located on the waterfront near Duluth's famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Built at a cost of $6.5 million, the Arena portion of the complex houses a 190-by-85 foot hockey rink with 5,333 seats, and six locker rooms, including the recently-remodeled $2 million locker room facility now used by the men and women Bulldog hockey teams.

The rink can be converted to allow the DECC Arena to host concerts, dinners, conventions,and shows. The DECC was the site of the NCAA I men's hockey championships in both 1968 and 1981, hosted the 2003 and 2008 Women's NCAA Division I Frozen Four. A spacious lobby, where ticket sales originate, separates the Arena from the Auditorium. The Auditorium Seats 2,400 and plays host to concerts, symphonies, plays, operas, high school and college graduations, and a variety of other activities.

Pioneer Hall was added in 1976, and contains a hockey rink with smaller seating capability utilizing fold-out bleacher seating. Pioneer Hall is also the home of the Duluth Curling Club with eight curling rinks (can be expanded to provide up to 13 curling sheets for major events) and a lounge area. It is the largest curling venue in the United States, and has hosted two World Championships, the US Olympic Trials, and numerous National events. The Duluth Curling Club is the second largest curling club in the United States.

In the mid 1990s a $30 million Convention center was added, which is the site of numerous social, business and entertainment events, and features the 26,000 sq ft (2,400 m). Lake Superior Ballroom, the 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m). Harborside Ballroom, and 25 Meeting Rooms, an OMNIMAX Theatre opened in the spring of 1996 and a 10-screen Movie theater complex was added in 2005.

The 2008 Minnesota bonding bill included $38 million for the "DECC expansion project". The DECC expansion includes a new hockey arena for the UMD men’s and women’s teams, which will increase seating capacity by 2,100 and is expected to boost spectator comfort and improve the college’s ability to recruit top athletes. It also includes a parking ramp and will provide more space for conventions and concerts, which DECC director Dan Russell said will bring more events to the complex. Construction began in September (2008), and will be finished December 30, 2010 for a Men's UMD hockey game against The University of North Dakota. The new arena will be named the AMSOIL Arena.

Directions to Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Located on 5th Av W on the waterfront.

From downtown, from the Radisson, take 5th west and head toward the water.

From Wisconsin, take 53 West to 35 North into downtown Duluth, exit 256B.

From Minneapolis/St. Paul, take 35 West north to Duluth. Take the 5th Av exit and go right for 1/2 of a block. Turn left.

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Parking

Ample parking is available for $4.00 in the parking ramp and in the lot. The parking ramp is connected to a skywalk system with access to downtown, certain hotels and the DECC. Special event parking is $5.00. All parking is first come-first served so the DECC does recommend guests come early.

Accessibility

The DECC is fully accessible and strives to accommodate the individual needs of guests with disabilities. Ramps are provided at all entries and elevators are located throughout the building. The elevator in the corner of the Main Ticket Lobby is by Guest Services and accesses both the Arena and the lower Auditorium. Restrooms are accessible to all guests.

Every effort has been made to comply with both ADA and the State of Minnesota’s accessibility guidelines to accommodate guests with disabilities.

If additional assistance is needed while attending an event at the DECC, please contact your nearest usher, event staff member or the Guest Services Office located in the Main Ticket Lobby.

Wheelchair Section Eligibility: These limited seats are reserved for guests who require the use of a wheelchair and are thereby physically unable to use a standard seat. Guests with limited mobility but do not use a wheelchair do not qualify for this section as the Ticket Office has a variety of seating options that will accommodate guests with limited mobility.

Our companion policy allows guests with special needs to purchase one companion ticket along with their ticket in our designated accessible seating area. If a guest requests more than one ticket we will locate any additional tickets as close as possible to their location.

Tickets for accessible seating may be purchased at the DECC Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster locations.

Assistance listening devices for the Auditorium are located in the Guest Services Office in the Main Ticket Lobby. To ensure that the devices are promptly returned, a major credit card or a driver’s license is required to use the devices.