FAQ
» FAQ
What events have come to the LEC?
The Laredo Entertainment Center opened its doors to the public in October 27, 2002, and has proudly held a wide variety of concerts, shows and family entertainment for all the citizens of South Texas and Northern Mexico. 2006 January 22 -- Barnes and Bailey Circus January 25 -- Harlem Globetrotters February 7 -- Taste of Laredo February 10 -11 -- Lipizzaner Stallions February 17 - 18 -- Care Bears Live February 19 -- Juanes March 3 - 4 -- Freestyle Motocross March 24 -- Pepe Aguilar April 5 -- STARS Presents Los Lonely Boys April 8 -- RBD April 30 -- El Dia de los Ninos May 3 - 7 -- Disney On Ice Presents The Incredibles May 20 -- David Copperfield June 23 - 25 -- Miss Texas USA July 14 - 17 -- Hunting & Fishing Show July 28 -- George Lopez August 2 -- Supply Our Students Featuring Ramon Ayala August 18 -- Aventurera September 10 -- Carlos Mencia October 13 – Vicente Fernandez with Paquita La Del barrio October 16 – Dwight Yoakam November 5 – Juan Gabriel December 28-30 – Disney Live Presents Mickey’s Magic Show 2005 January 12 -- Central Hockey League All-Stars Game January 14 -- David Copperfield January 28 -- Harlem Globetrotters February 15 -- Taste of Laredo February 20 -- Xtreme International Ice Racing March 4 - 5 -- Professional Bull Riders March 31 - April 3 -- Disney on Ice Presents "Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey" April 9 -- Gloria Trevi with Special Guest Ivy Queen "Queen of Reggaeton" April 21 - 24 -- Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus "Hometown Edition" April 30 -- El Dia de los Ninos May 5 -- Paulina Rubio June 24 - 26 -- Miss Texas USA June 30 -- Rock Never Stops July 15 - 17 -- Laredo Hunting & Fishing Show July 22 -- What-A-Nite Featuring Joe Nichols July 27 -- Supply Our Students Hosted by Pete Astudillo August 12 -- Sycuan Boxing August 16 - 17 -- Dragon Tales August 19 -- Mark Anthony, Cheyenne, Alejandro Fernandez September 10 -- NISL Soccer Inaugural Game September 25 -- Motley Crue September 27 -- WWE Smackdown! September 28 -- Juan Gabriel October 15 -- CHL Exhibition Hockey October 17 -- NBA Classic: Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Hornets November 6 -- Luis Miguel November 13 -- CY Benevides Car Show November 19 -- Vicente Fernandez December 9 -- Don Omar, Tego Calderon 2004 January 9 -- Miller Lite Texas Title Belt Professional Boxing January 27 -- Grease “The National Broadway Tour” January 30 - 31 -- The “World Famous” Lipizzaner Stallions February 1 -- Harlem Globetrotters February 15 -- Intocable with Grupo Pesado, Iman and Cactus February 17 -- Taste of Laredo March 5 - 6 -- Professional Bull Riders (PBR) March 17 -- Aerosmith / Special Guest Cheap Trick March 21 -- Hilary Duff April 4 -- WWE Raw April 11 -- Chayanne April 16 - 18 -- Laredo Home & Garden Show April 24 -- Mariachi Vargas April 29 -- Miller Lite Texas Title Belt Professional Boxing April 30 -- El Dia de los Ninos May 5 - 9 -- Disney on Ice presents Princess Classics May 13 -- Alejandro Sanz with Special Guest Soraya May 22 -- Lupillo Rivera June 12 -- Cristian Castro June 25 - 27 -- Miss Texas USA July 16 - 17 -- Laredo Hunting and Fishing Show July 21 -- What-A-Nite Featuring Joe Nichols July 28 -- Supply Our Students Hosted by Johnny Canales July 31 -- Gloria Estefan August 12 -- KISS August 13 -- Miller Lite Texas Title Belt Professional Boxing August 28 -- Joan Sebastian & Marco Antonio Solis September 25 - 26 -- Shrine Circus September 30 - October 2 -- South Texas Pro Rodeo October 5 - 6 -- Royal Circus of Moscow on Ice October 22 -- Chicage / Earth, Wind & Fire October 27 -- NBA Classic: San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets November 5 -- World Wrestling Entertainment November 17 -- STARS Scholarship Fundraiser featuring Ana Gabriel November 28 -- Alejandro Fernandez Live in Concert November 30 - December 1 -- Sesame Street Live: 1-2-3 Imagine! December 5 -- CATS December 8 -- Yanni Live! 2003 January 16 -- Circo de Laredos January 23 -- Champions On Ice January 28 -- Harlem Globetrotters February 1 - 2 -- Monster Jam February 5 - 6 -- Shakira “Tour of the Mongoose” February 12 -- Santana “2003 Shaman Tour” February 18 -- Taste of Laredo March 7 - 8 -- Professional Bull Riders (PBR) March 14 -- Styx and REO Speedwagon April 16 - 20 -- Disney on Ice presents "3 Jungle Adventures" April 26 -- Mariachi Vargas April 30 -- ZZ Top “Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers Tour” / Special Guest Kenny Wayne Shepperd May 3 -- Julio Iglesias May 24 -- National Indoor Football / RiverHawks vs. LandSharks May 26 -- Juanes May 27 -- Def Leppard June 6 -- Elton John June 8 -- World Wrestling Entertainment June 13 - 15 -- Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus June 16 -- La Ley June 17 -- George Lopez July 8 -- Miller Lite Texas Title Belt Professional Boxing July 23 -- The 4th Annual Supply Our Schools Concert August 29 - 31 -- Bear in the Big Blue House October 17 - 19 -- Ford South Texas Pro Rodeo presented by The Laredo National Bank October 22 -- Mana “Tour Revolucion de Amor" November 4 -- Luis Miguel “33 Tour” November 28 - 30 -- Sesame Street Live “Everyone Makes Music” December 10 -- STARS Scholarship Fundraiser with Leann Rimes and Paul Rodriguez December 11 - 12 -- Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance December 30 -- WWE Smackdown 2002 November 8 - 10 -- Sesame Street Live November 13 -- Tool in Concert November 15 -- Professional Boxing November 23 -- Cher “Farewell Tour” / Special Guest Cyndi Lauper December 1 -- World Wrestling Entertainment
How do I get to the LEC?
The Laredo Entertainment Center is at Loop 20 and Jacaman Rd. The Laredo International Airport and Texas A&M International University are less a mile from the site. From IH-35 North (Northbound from Mexico) Exit 4 (Del Mar Blvd) drive to traffic light, turn right, drive 5 miles east to Bob Bullock Loop, turn right and drive 3 miles to Jacaman Rd., turn right on traffic light and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Sinatra Parkway to access parking lots A & D. From IH-35 (Northbound from Mexico) -- Alternate Route Exit 4 (Del Mar Blvd) drive to traffic light, turn right, drive 3 miles east to McPherson Rd., turn right on traffic light and drive 1.5 miles to Jacaman Rd., turn left on traffic light and drive to Sinatra Parkway, turn right to access parking lots A & D. From IH-35 South (Southbound from San Antonio, Texas) Exit 8 (Milo/Bob Bullock Loop 20), turn left at traffic light (Bob Bullock Loop) and drive 7 miles southeast up to Jacaman Rd., turn right on traffic light and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Arena Blvd to access parking lots B & C. From Saunders St. / Highway 59 Eastbound Traffic If going eastbound on Saunders St., drive up to Bob Bullock Loop traffic light, turn left and drive 3 miles north, turn left on Sinatra Parkway and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Sinatra Parkway to access parking lots D & A. From Highway 59 Westbound Traffic Driving on HWY 59 coming west, turn right at traffic light on Bob Bullock Loop and drive 3 miles north, turn left on Sinatra Parkway and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Sinatra Parkway to access parking lots D & A. From Highway 359 Westbound Traffic Driving on HWY 359 coming west, turn right at the traffic light on Bob Bullock Loop and drive 4.5 miles north, turn left on Sinatra Parkway and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Sinatra Parkway to access parking lots D & A. From Highway 83 North Driving on HWY 83 North turn right at traffic light on Bob Bullock Loop and drive 7 miles north, turn left on Sinatra Parkway and enter the Laredo Entertainment Center through Sinatra Parkway to access parking lots D & A.What are some interesting facts about the LEC?
Facility at a Glance: Concert End Stage -- 9622 capacity Concert 3/4 House -- 6780 capacity Concert 1/2 House -- 4144 capacity Ice Hockey -- 8065 capacity Arena Football -- 8067 capacity Basketball -- 8665 capacity Amenities: Over 2,000 well-lit parking spaces Two food courts TV monitors in concession areas Team store Six box office windows Six spacious meeting rooms Custom made, adjustable scoreboard weighing 10,500 lbs. Ice Rink -- 200 ft. x 85 ft. Did You Know . . . ? You can fit 261,327 hockey pucks on the ice floor; 480,000 on the event floor. The square footage of the building is equal to 88 two-thousand square foot houses or 2,816,000 hockey pucks. It would take 3,192 hot dogs (end to end) to encircle the perimeter of the building. If you stacked 640 hockey pucks on top of each other, you would reach the bottom of the truss; 986 to reach the top of the truss. You can hang 48 (4,000 pound) pickup trucks from the roof at the same time. There are 30 rows of seats. The large roof trusses span 280 feet (1,120 pucks end to end, 3,584 stacked pucks, or 560 hot dogs). The building houses more than 1,000 tons of steel. If you sat each block end to end, they would stretch nearly 35 miles. Thirteen miles of piping lie under the ice slab. The facility was constructed in 16 months.
What are the general policies of the LEC?
BUILDING POLICIES Smoking: Smoking is prohibited inside the Laredo Entertainment Center. There are designated smoking areas outside the building. Cameras: Restrictions on the use of still and video cameras vary by event. Some events permit still cameras without the flash, but not recording devices. Concerts typically do not permit any cameras or recording devices (audio or video). Guests should contact a Laredo Entertainment Center representative at 956.791.9192 to find out the policy prior to the event. Prohibited Items: Guests are not allowed to bring certain items into the Laredo Entertainment Center including; bottles or cans, food or beverages, weapons or firearms, coolers or containers, fireworks, illegal substances and laser pointers, etc. GUEST SERVICES Our Guest Services representatives are trained to provide assistance with a clear understanding of how to accommodate the needs of all guests. Guest Services is located at the Main Entrance of the Laredo Entertainment Center. Guest Services is the hub for many helpful programs, including the Designated Driver Program, the Auto Assistance Program, wheelchair assistance and lost and found. FIRST AID First Aid is located across from Section 109, adjacent to Gate B. Certified medical professionals are available at this location to assist guests with medical needs. Guests in need of emergency first aid should contact the nearest Laredo Entertainment Center employee for medical assistance. EMERGENCY SERVICES The Laredo Entertainment Center personnel have been trained to assist in emergency situations. Areas of Rescue Assistance are available and visual and audible alarms are located throughout the facility for use in the event of an emergency. CONCESSIONS There are 8 concessions stands in the facility designed with our guests in mind. Accessible countertops and bar counters are at a height that is comfortable for everyone. RESTROOMS There are accessible restrooms on every level of the Laredo Entertainment Center. Men’s, Women’s and Unisex Family restrooms are located in the corners of the Main Concourse. AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES Automated Teller Machines are located on the Main Concourse adjacent to Gates B and C and one is also located outside the Main Entrance adjacent to the Box Office. PUBLIC TELEPHONES The LEC provides public telephones free of charge to our patrons. Phones are located at the Guest Services table and are accessible to all guests. DRINKING FOUNTAINS Accessible water fountains are located throughout the building. GETTING AROUND Entrances and Exits: The Laredo Entertainment Center has five main entrances and exits. Elevators: There are two passenger elevators available to transport guests of the Laredo Entertainment Center. These elevators are located on the Main Concourse across from Section 109 and adjacent to Gate B. Stairways: There are three stairwells located throughout the facility. Two of those stairwells, located on the northwest and southwest side of the building, are for emergency exit use only and lead directly to the outside of the facility. The one stairwell located adjacent to the Administrative Offices and Gate C and across from Section 113 is for patron transport from the Club/Suite Level to the Main Concourse and vice versa.What is the history of the LEC?
What is the history of the LEC? History In The Making The Laredo Entertainment Center is a first class, state-of-the-art multipurpose facility developed by Arena Ventures LLC. This multi-use facility has introduced affordable, family-oriented entertainment to the South Texas and Northern Mexico markets, including major concerts, sporting events, family and ice shows, conventions, trade shows, and civic events. During the late 1990s, businessman Glenn Hart made frequent business trips to Laredo and consistently took note of the city's tremendous growth. He also noticed that South Texas and Northern Mexico were missing a modern venue to attract sporting events, top name concerts and family shows. At the time, area residents had to drive two or more hours to the nearest entertainment facility. So in 1999, Hart and five businessmen formed Arena Ventures -- the organization that partnered with the City of Laredo -- to build a world-class entertainment facility. The City of Laredo funded the $36.5 million project through a one-quarter percent sales tax increase that was approved by Laredo voters on August 12, 2000, with the facility's groundbreaking taking place in June 2001. The Laredo Entertainment Center was constructed in 15 months at a cost of $36.5 million. The economic impact to the local community will exceed $100 million dollars annually and generate hundreds of local jobs. The facility's management company, SMG Management, oversees all aspects of the arena including operations, concessions, scheduling, ticketing, and marketing. SMG Management is the world's foremost leader in the private development and management of public assembly facilities, including stadiums, arenas, theaters and exhibition/convention centers. It has been in the management business for over 23 years. It presently manages 156 facilities worldwide. With 32,000 square feet of continuous open floor space, the LEC has the largest indoor convention space in South Texas. The 178,000 square foot facility boasts a seating capacity of 10,000 with 14 luxury suites, six meeting rooms and a private club. The facility's luxury suites include concierge service, a television, and seating for twelve to fourteen people, among other amenities. The clubhouse level, which is on the same level as the luxury suites, features a bar overlooking the main floor. On the north end of town, the LEC sits on 25 acres at Jacaman Road and Loop 20 -- property that Arena Ventures donated to the City of Laredo. Arena Ventures owns 35 additional acres around the site that is currently being developed with hotels, specialized retail stores and restaurants.
What can you tell me about Laredo?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Laredo is the second fastest growing city in the U.S., second only to Las Vegas, and has been since the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1995. Known as the ‘Gateway City’ – the largest, most efficient port of entry on the U.S./Mexico border – Laredo currently is home to 220,000 citizens and expects to keep growing faster than the national average for years to come. Nuevo Laredo, a short walk across the boarder boasts 700,000 citizens, with 17.6 million vehicles crossing the border in 2000. Additionally, thousands of tourists visit Laredo each year to shop across the border in Nuevo Laredo, to participate in festivals and enjoy “Los Dos Laredos”. The Laredo Entertainment Center is positioned for success. In fact, there is not a competing facility in a 2 hour radius, which is why its market area includes all of South Texas and Northern Mexico totaling 6,500,000 inhabitants. Some of its surrounding cities include: Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey, Mexico; McAllen, Eagle Pass, and Corpus Christi, Texas. Where in the World is Laredo?? From: McAllen -- 119 miles Corpus Christi -- 135 miles San Antonio -- 145 miles Brownsville -- 166 miles Austin -- 218 miles Houston -- 293 miles Dallas -- 397 miles El Paso -- 513 miles www.cityoflaredo.com
