The Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana is a multi-purpose arena that hosts a variety of concerts, sporting events, family shows, and other entertainment events throughout the year. Some of the biggest names in music, comedy, sports, and more make tour stops at the Ford Center when they are traveling through the Midwest. With a capacity of over 9,000 seats, the arena draws sizable crowds for its diverse programming.
Upcoming Concerts
The Ford Center has a number of high-profile concerts scheduled over the next few months from major touring acts. Here are some of the musical artists slated to perform at the Ford Center soon:
Kenny Chesney
Country superstar Kenny Chesney is bringing his I Go Back Tour to the Ford Center on March 25, 2023. Chesney is one of country music’s biggest stadium acts, but he scales things down a bit for his indoor arena tours, delivering a more intimate night of his hits like “There Goes My Life” and “Get Along.”
Shawn Mendes
Pop singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes will stop at the Ford Center on April 18, 2023 during his Wonder World Tour. Mendes rose to fame as a teenager on the video sharing app Vine and has become a chart-topping sensation with smash hits like “Stitches,” “Treat You Better,” and “Senorita” with Camila Cabello. The 23-year-old Canadian has won several awards and has packed arenas around the world.
New Kids on the Block
Iconic boy band New Kids on the Block are bringing The MixTape Tour to the Ford Center on June 10, 2023. Also featuring fellow throwback acts Salt-N-Pepa, Rick Astley, and En Vogue, the tour is billed as a nonstop party with the biggest hit songs from the 80s, 90s, and today. Expect New Kids classics like “You Got It (The Right Stuff),” “Hangin’ Tough,” and “Step by Step.”
Comedy Shows
A few huge names in comedy have the Ford Center on their tour schedules in the coming months as well. Get ready to laugh with:
Kevin Hart
Comedian and actor Kevin Hart will bring his Reality Check Tour to the Ford Center on May 5, 2023. One of the most successful stand-up comics of the last decade, Hart consistently sells out arenas with his high-energy act. Known for comedy specials like Zero F***s Given as well as roles in Jumanji, Ride Along, and other films, Hart is sure to deliver lots of laughs.
John Mulaney
Former Saturday Night Live writer and acclaimed stand-up John Mulaney is set for the Ford Center on July 29, 2023 for the Midwest leg of his From Scratch Tour. With witty, hilarious stories about everyday life, Mulaney has become one of the most popular comedians today thanks to specials like Kid Gorgeous, The Comeback Kid, and New in Town.
Jo Koy
Making his way to the Ford Center on September 15, 2023 is Jo Koy and his Funny Is Funny World Tour. A fixture on comedy central for years, Koy shares hilarious and heartfelt stories about family and growing up as a Filipino-American. His unique sense of humor makes him a standout in today’s comedy scene.
Family Shows
In addition to music and comedy, the Ford Center also welcomes various family-friendly stage shows through the year like:
Disney on Ice
A perennial crowd-pleaser, Disney on Ice will bring Mickey’s Search Party to the Ford Center from January 12-15, 2023. Kids and parents alike will enjoy seeing their favorite Disney characters figure skate and put on an exciting show set to songs from Coco, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, and more classic Disney films.
Cirque du Soleil
For three nights from March 3-5, 2023, the legendary Cirque du Soleil circus troupe comes to the Ford Center with their latest production, Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities. Showcasing unbelievable acrobatics and dazzling visuals, Cirque du Soleil’s imaginative style of circus arts makes for an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
PAW Patrol Live!
Based on the beloved kids’ TV series, PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure” sails into the Ford Center April 22-23, 2023. Watch the heroic pups from PAW Patrol race to the rescue on a pirate-themed adventure stage show filled with music, puppetry, and interactive fun for young fans.
Sporting Events
Though not a huge sports venue, the Ford Center does host some exciting sporting competitions including:
NBA Preseason Basketball
The Ford Center welcomes NBA teams to Evansville each October as they tune up for the regular season. The 2023 preseason schedule has yet to be finalized, but the Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, and other NBA teams have played exhibition matchups there in recent years. It’s a rare chance for Hoosier basketball fans to see elite professional talent up close.
NCAA Basketball Tournaments
As a premier arena facility, the Ford Center is often called upon to host early rounds of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament in March. In 2023, the Ford Center is slated to host first and second round games on March 16 and 18. The tournament will feature some of top college teams in the nation battling in win-or-go-home contests.
High School Basketball Championships
In addition to college contests, the Ford Center is the longtime host of the IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals weekend each March, where the top high school teams in Indiana compete for state titles across four divisions. It offers thousands of Hoosier students, parents and fans the opportunity to end the season at a major venue.
Comprehensive Event Schedule
Here is a complete timeline of the major events scheduled for the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana over the next six months:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 12-15, 2023 | Disney on Ice: Mickey’s Search Party |
| March 3-5, 2023 | Cirque du Soleil: Kurios |
| March 16-18, 2023 | NCAA March Madness Basketball Tournament |
| March 20-25, 2023 | IHSAA Boys Basketball State Finals |
| March 25, 2023 | Kenny Chesney Concert |
| April 18, 2023 | Shawn Mendes Concert |
| April 22-23, 2023 | PAW Patrol Live! |
| May 5, 2023 | Kevin Hart Comedy Show |
| June 10, 2023 | New Kids on the Block Concert |
| July 29, 2023 | John Mulaney Comedy Show |
| September 15, 2023 | Jo Koy Comedy Show |
Conclusion
The Ford Center in Evansville has an exciting and varied lineup of events coming up over the next several months. Music lovers can look forward to concerts by major touring acts like Kenny Chesney, Shawn Mendes, and New Kids on the Block. Stand-up comedy fans will enjoy shows by today’s top comics Kevin Hart, John Mulaney, and Jo Koy. For family fun, Disney on Ice, Cirque du Soleil, and PAW Patrol Live! will delight kids of all ages. Sports fans can catch NBA preseason basketball, March Madness tournament games, and the Indiana high school basketball championships. With this diverse programming schedule, there are fantastic entertainment options on the way for all different tastes at the Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana.
