Sports Events
Officials from the Fresno Falcons of the West Coast Hockey League announced on March 18, 2002, that the Falcons would make Save Mart Center at Fresno State their home ice beginning with the 2003 season. The Western Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament was held at the center in 2004, as well as WWE's Royal Rumble 2005 and WWE Live Events, including ECW/SmackDown 6/30/09 where 3 superstars made their debut, including multiple time WWE Champion, Sheamus.
The first athletic event held at Save Mart Center took place when the Rainbow Wahine of Hawaii took on the Fresno State Bulldogs in women's NCAA volleyball in October 2003.
Save Mart Center's first arena football game was held on July 19, 2008. The Central Valley Coyotes defeated the Boise Burn 55-50. Both teams were members of the now defunct af2, the former developmental league for the Arena Football League.
Save Mart Center has hosted four NBA preseason games since the arena has opened. The first game was in 2003-2004 when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Sacramento Kings; the Lakers defeated the Kings 105-80. The second was in 2004-2005 with the Sacramento Kings taking on the Phoenix Suns; the Suns defeated the Kings 100-88. The third was in 2005-2006 when the Lakers hosted the Utah Jazz; the Lakers defeated the Jazz 95-85. The Los Angeles Lakers hosted another game in the 2008 preseason against the Los Angeles Clippers, with the Clippers beating the Lakers 107-80.
Save Mart Center hosted an NHL preseason Game on September 23, 2006. The San Jose Sharks took on the Anaheim Ducks, winning 4-3. Joe Thornton scored the game-winning goal for the Sharks, Anaheim went on to win its first Stanley Cup Championship later that season.
Save Mart Center hosted the Strikeforce: Tank vs. Buentello mixed martial arts (MMA) event on October 6, 2006. It hosted the inaugural ShoMMA on May 15, 2009.
Since 2004, the arena is a stop for PBR's Built Ford Tough Series for the Table Mountain Casino Invitational.
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