July 1, 1994: Gov. Robert P. Casey awards $19.2 million grant for construction of the arena.
March 4, 1995: “Arena Yes” group created to inform county residents about the project and register voters for May 16 public referendum on the issue.
May 16, 1995: A countywide voter referendum on a proposed construction loan for the arena project fails by just 48 votes.
April 11, 1997: State Supreme Court rules Luzerne County’s hotel tax is constitutional. The vote allows the authority to borrow money to float bonds to finance the arena’s construction.
Aug. 26, 1997: The Pittsburgh Penguins enter into a 10-year deal to place their AHL franchise at the arena.
Sept. 30, 1999: Exit 46 off Interstate 81 officially opens to give motorists easy access to the arena. The project cost $17.3 million.
Nov. 13, 1999: After playing their first 13 games on the road, the Penguins win the first home game, 4-2, over the Kentucky Thoroughblades at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center.
Dec. 12, 1999: Neil Diamond headlines the Grand Opening Gala. Tickets sold out in less than 90 minutes and the demand was so great he agreed to perform a second show the following night.
Dec. 16, 1999: Wilkes-Barre Twp. pulls the arena’s occupancy permit, sparking a legal battle that ended Jan. 7, 2000, when an agreement was reached finalizing what the arena will pay the township and what the township will collect from the arena.
Jan. 20, 2000: Arena authority chairman state Rep. Kevin Blaum announces First Union Corp bids $1,005,000 for the arena’s naming rights. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Arena and Convention Center changes its name to the First Union Arena at Casey Plaza. The second part of the name honors former Gov. Robert P. Casey, who played a key role in securing money for the project.
July 20, 2000: Luzerne County Convention Center Authority hires SMG to run arena.
Sept. 22, 2001: NHL Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux suits up for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and scores a goal in a 4-3 loss to parent club Pittsburgh.
April 6, 2002: The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers of the af2, an arena football league, debut, losing 42-28 to the Greensboro Prowlers in their first home game.
Oct. 9, 2003: Arena hosts NBA preseason game between the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
Oct. 22, 2004: President George W. Bush holds campaign rally at the arena.
Dec. 27, 2005: Syracuse and star player Gerry McNamara play against Towson in an NCAA men’s basketball game.
Oct. 26, 2008: Rock band AC/DC kicks off its Black Ice world tour at the Wachovia Arena.
Nov. 11, 2009: Mohegan Sun enters into 10-year agreement as the naming rights partner effective Jan. 21, 2010.
Feb. 26-27, 2016: District 2 holds the boys and girls basketball championships at the arena. The arena has been home to the championships ever since.
Aug. 2, 2018: President Donald Trump holds rally at arena.
May 8, 2019: Luzerne County Convention Center Authority and the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announce new 10-year deal that includes numerous upgrades.