at the arena from 2006 until 2015. The Shock hosted ArenaBowl XXIII in 2010. The Shock then attempted to join the Indoor Football League in 2015 but the AFL withheld the franchise rights from the ownership. The owners then created the Spokane Empire and played in the IFL in 2016 and 2017 before ceasing operations. New ownership relaunched the Shock in 2020, but had its lease terminated by the city in February 2022. Ice hockey The Spokane Chiefs of the WHL play their home games at the arena. The arena hosted a National Hockey League preseason game between the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks on September 26, 2021. This is not the first time an NHL game has been played at the arena. In fact, the first event in the arena's history was a preseason game between the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver in 1995. Concerts at Star Theatre The Star Theatre is a 5,900-seat theater configuration used for theater concerts, Broadway, family shows and other events. The seating capacity of the configuration positions the "venue" between the seating capacities of the nearby First Interstate Center for the Arts and the full-theater seating configuration of the Spokane Arena. Other events Numerous other activities have taken place at the Spokane Arena including circuses, large conferences, monster truck shows, concerts and much more. And every year the arena is home to Spokane's band and strings spectacular featuring the areas band and strings groups grades 5-6 from all schools. Over the years the venue has hosted a variety of professional wrestling shows. Notable events hosted 1995 – San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks (National Hockey League exhibition game – September 17) Gonzaga and Washington State played the Arena's first collegiate basketball game; WSU won 72–67 in overtime – November 24. 1996 – Wrangler Pro Rodeo Classic United States Olympic Wrestling Trials. U.S.A. Motorsports Spectacular Stars on Ice Phish – November 22 1997 – The Harlem Globetrotters Western Hockey League All-Star Game NCAA Volleyball Final Four 1998 – Stars on Ice Memorial Cup WWF Raw is War 2002 – Skate America figure skating competition 2003 – NCAA Basketball Tournament WWE SmackDown! 2004 – Kid Rock Rock N' Roll Pain Train Tour 2007 – NCAA Basketball Tournament 2009 – Taylor Swift Fearless Tour 2010 – U.S. Figure Skating Championships NCAA Basketball Tournament Brad Paisley concert ArenaBowl XXIII Disney on Ice 2011 – Elton John PBR