The Nutter Center is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio. With a maximum capacity of over 12,000 for concerts, it is one of the largest arenas in the Dayton area.
Quick Facts
- The Nutter Center was opened in 1990.
- It was named after Ervin J. Nutter, one of the co-founders of Reynolds and Reynolds.
- The arena has a seating capacity of up to 12,000 for concerts depending on the stage setup.
- For basketball games, the capacity is around 10,632.
- There are 28 luxury suites inside the arena.
The Nutter Center has hosted a wide variety of events since it opened over 30 years ago. Concerts by famous musicians like Elton John, Kanye West and Taylor Swift have packed the arena. It is also home to the Wright State Raiders basketball teams and has hosted NCAA tournament games.
Concert Capacity
When configured for a concert, the Nutter Center can accommodate between 10,000-12,000 people depending on the size of the stage and whether the floor is seated or standing room only. Some of the seating areas can be closed off to increase capacity for general admission floor shows.
Some examples of concert capacities:
- 12,000 – Standing room floor, no seats on floor, all arena bowl seats used
- 10,500 – Half standing room floor, half seats on floor, all bowl seats used
- 9,000 – All seats on floor, some bowl seats blocked off
The biggest concerts held at the Nutter Center include:
| Artist | Year | Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| Elton John | 1992 | 12,000 |
| Jimmy Buffet | 2005 | 11,342 |
| Neil Diamond | 2008 | 10,125 |
As you can see, the Nutter Center can hold crowds upwards of 12,000 when configured for a packed house concert. The standing room floor space allows them to sell more general admission tickets during hot tours. Other concerts may be a bit smaller based on production requirements.
Basketball Capacity
For basketball games and other sporting events, the Nutter Center has a typical capacity around 10,632. All of the floor space consists of retractable seating to bring fans closer to the action.
Here is a breakdown of the seating sections for Wright State basketball games:
| Section | Seating Capacity |
|---|---|
| Floor Seats | 2,200 |
| Lower Bowl | 4,300 |
| Club Level | 1,400 |
| Upper Bowl | 2,732 |
| Total | 10,632 |
The court itself sits lower inside the arena bowl, allowing the seats to rise steeply up around it. Even the upper bowl seats are relatively close compared to some larger arenas. This creates an intimate environment for basketball.
In addition to Wright State home games, the Nutter Center has hosted NCAA Tournament first and second round games in 1993, 1996, 2001 and 2007. The arena set an attendance record in 2007 when 11,453 people packed the stands to see Greg Oden lead Ohio State to a victory.
Luxury Suites
For corporate events and VIP guests, the Nutter Center has 28 luxury suites. These suite rentals offer premium amenities:
- Private suite accommodating between 12-24 guests
- Catering packages with food and drinks
- Exclusive access to the LexisNexis Club Lounge
- Suite attendant to handle food/drink orders
- Television monitors with live video feeds of the event
- Private restroom
Luxury suites are rented on an annual basis by Wright State Athletics corporate partners and high-level donors. They provide privacy and an upscale experience at Nutter Center events.
Other Event Capacities
In addition to concerts and sporting events, the Nutter Center gets used for a wide variety of other activities like:
- Graduation ceremonies
- Family shows (Disney on Ice, circus, etc)
- Motor sports events
- Trade shows and conventions
- Comedy shows
The seating capacity can be adjusted based on the type of event. Some examples:
| Event | Typical Capacity |
|---|---|
| Graduation | 12,000+ |
| Motorsports | 6,000-8,000 |
| Convention | 2,000+ on floor |
| Family show | 10,000 |
Graduations fill the arena to the gills with all the floor seating, allowing the university to invite as many guests as possible. Other events may limit capacity for better visibility or to allow vendor displays and booths.
Conclusion
With a maximum capacity ranging between 10,000-12,000 depending on the event type and seating configuration, the Nutter Center is the largest indoor venue in the Dayton area. Concerts by top touring acts can draw up to 12,000 fans in standing room general admission floor setups. Basketball games utilize retractable floor seating for a tighter capacity around 10,632. Luxury suites and a modern design make it a premier venue for events of all kinds, both on campus at Wright State and in the community.
