How well do you know Bon Secours Arena? Janet Jackson, the Eagles and 8 other highlights

Bon Secours Wellness Arena (BSWA) stakeholders recently announced a $300 million master plan to expand, upgrade, and build onto its 12-acre entertainment district.

On April 17, BSWA representatives announced a plan to expand, upgrade, and improve the property at 650 N. Academy St. with a $300 investment in the 12-acre campus.

The announcement comes after 25 years of functioning as a sports, music, and live performance arena that has provided the Upstate with many entertainment memories.

Located near the vicinity of a former predominantly Black neighborhood community named Little Texas, the 1958-built Greenville Memorial Auditorium was torn down in 1997 to make way for the Bi-Lo Center, which later became the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in 2013.

Since its opening in the fall of 1998, the Greenville arena has hosted musical legends such as Paul McCartney and Tina Turner, newcomers like Thomas Rhett, as well as countless Dawn Staley victories, WWE matches, and iconic comedians, all of which have helped shape Greenville's sports and entertainment history.

And once the new arena upgrades, renovations, and add-ons are completed, BSWA will have even more legendary moments to define its next quarter century.

To commemorate the beginning of a new era, here are 10 key moments in the rich history of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville:

Who was the first to play at BSWA?

The Bi-Lo Center hosted its first show on Sept. 3, 1998, as pop and R&B star Janet Jackson headlined the building's inaugural concert.

One of her opening acts at that evening's fall show was platinum recording R&B star Usher.

BSWA has a rich history of hockey

On Oct. 16, 1998, the Greenville Grrrowl, a former East Coast Hockey League team, hosted its first home game at the Bi-Lo Center.

The Grrrowl peaked in 2002 by winning the Kelly Cup, then went defunct by 2006.

Nearly four years later, the Swamp Rabbits made Greenville and the BI-LO/BSWA home starting with the 2010-11 season, while also performing under the "Road Warriors" team name in October 2010.

The team later rebranded as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in 2015.

Gamecock, Tigers and... Rhinos?

The Carolina Rhinos existed as part of the Arena Football League's developmental division in 2000 and only lasted two seasons at the Bi-Lo Center.

The Rhinos' presence made way for the Greenville Force, a Southern Indoor Football League team, which played at the Bi-Lo Center in 2009 and 2010.

Pro basketball in Greenville

The National Basketball Association (NBA) once had ties to the Upstate, as the Greenville Groove served as a minor league affiliate between 2001 and 2003, part of the NBA Development League.

The Groove won the D-League Finals over the North Charleston Lowgators in its inaugural season.

Beginning of a home to the Southeast Conference

The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament first appeared in Greenville in 2005 and has since hosted eight total conference series through the 2025 season.

Because of its continued success, the SEC Conference has selected BSWA as its host site for the women's tournament through the 2028 conference postseason.

George Strait set a record at BSWA

According to public relations representatives at Hughes Agency, a George Strait concert in March 2013 holds the record for the highest attendance for a single event. There were over 15,300 fans in attendance that evening.

This event happened in the same year that the Bi-Lo Center converted into what is now known as the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Confederate Flag removed from BSWA grounds

The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina State House in March 2017, resulting in increased business opportunities, according to the Hughes Agency.

Because of these changes, the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament returned to South Carolina in March 2017, marking the first time the NCAA tournament had been in Greenville since 2002.

The highest-grossing show in BSWA history

On April 25, 2022, The Eagles' “Hotel California Tour” was the highest-grossing show to date at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

That's the Spirit, BSWA

In September 2023, Spirit Fest celebrated its 31st year, making it one of the longest-running events at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which has run every year since the arena's inception.

To commemorate, the special lineup included a concert with Dave Matthews Band on November 8, 2023, and two nights of Zach Bryan on May 5-6, 2024.

Heart consciousness and future developments at BSWA

In January of 2025, Bon Secours Wellness Arena celebrated the 10th Anniversary of "Well Walkers" — a program that allows individuals to take laps around the concourse level of the arena and promotes heart-healthy activities.

– A.J. Jackson covers business, the food & dining scene and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at [email protected], and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.Sign up today for a digital subscription.