Northeastern Pennsylvania does not get the concert-market attention that Philadelphia or New York commands, but Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza has spent more than two decades proving that Wilkes-Barre can hold its own. Since opening in 1999, this 10,000-seat arena has drawn AC/DC, Elton John, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, The Eagles, and Cher through its doors — the kind of roster that makes you look twice at a mid-size building in a mid-size city. For Upstate New York concertgoers in the Southern Tier, it is a closer drive than most realize and a consistently underrated option for arena-scale shows.
The Building
Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza opened on November 13, 1999, as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Civic Arena and Convention Center — a name that nobody used for long. The building was constructed on land donated by the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, and it was designed from the start as a multi-purpose arena that could flex between hockey, basketball, concerts, and family shows.
The naming rights have changed hands three times. First Union Bank bought them in 2000, making it First Union Arena. When First Union merged into Wachovia in 2003, the building became Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. Then on January 20, 2010, Mohegan Sun — the casino and entertainment brand — signed a 10-year naming rights deal, and the arena became Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, later shortened to Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza. The “Casey Plaza” component honors the surrounding complex and has survived every rebrand.
The Concert Setup
For hockey and basketball, the arena holds 8,050 in permanent seating. For concerts, that number pushes toward 10,000 with floor seating and standing configurations. The bowl is steep and compact — there is not a bad seat in the house for a concert, which is the advantage of an arena that was built for 10,000 rather than 20,000. You are close to the stage from almost every section, and the sightlines are uniformly good.
The sound quality is respectable for an arena of this size. The enclosed roof and compact footprint mean the audio does not have to travel the distances that plague larger buildings. For rock and country shows, the room fills with energy fast. For quieter, more dynamic performances, the lower bowl reserved seats deliver the best experience.
Floor configurations vary by tour. Some shows run general admission standing with a pit area near the stage. Others set up reserved floor seating. Check the specific show’s seating chart before buying — the experience differs significantly depending on the layout.
Who Plays Here
The concert booking at Mohegan Arena punches above the market size. AC/DC, Bob Dylan, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Elton John, Cher, and The Eagles have all come through Wilkes-Barre — names you might not expect in a metro area of 560,000. The arena benefits from its position between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, drawing from both cities plus the surrounding Pocono and Endless Mountains region. It also catches tours that skip the two-hour dead zone between New York City and the bigger Pennsylvania markets.
Country tours treat Mohegan Arena as a reliable Northeast stop. Rock and classic rock acts cycle through regularly. Comedy specials, family shows, and WWE events fill the calendar between concerts. The arena averages well over 100 events per year, so the production crew knows what they are doing.
Getting There From Upstate NY
From the Southern Tier, Mohegan Arena is a straight shot down I-81 — about 90 minutes from Binghamton, two and a half hours from Syracuse. From the Capital Region, take I-88 to I-81 South, roughly three hours. The arena is at 255 Highland Park Boulevard in Wilkes-Barre Township, just off the highway with easy access from the interstate.
Parking is available in the arena’s on-site lots and surrounding areas. Rates vary by event. The lots are adequate for most shows, but sold-out concerts can push parking into overflow territory. Arriving 45 minutes to an hour early is enough for most events. Post-show traffic clears faster than you might expect — the highway access is good and the arena’s location away from the dense downtown core helps.
The Wilkes-Barre Scene
Downtown Wilkes-Barre has quietly built a respectable dining scene, and the arena is close enough to make pre-show dinner a realistic option.
Cork Bar & Restaurant is the refined choice — fine dining just minutes from the arena with reservations starting at 4 PM, designed specifically for pre-event crowds. Bank+Vine does farm-to-table plates meant to be shared in a restored historic bank building downtown, with a seasonal menu and both indoor and outdoor seating. For something more relaxed, Breaker Brewing Company is a craft brewery and brew pub that leans into the region’s coal-country heritage with handcrafted beers and a neighborhood vibe.
Insider Tips
- Every seat is a good seat. The arena’s compact bowl means even upper-level sections are closer to the stage than you would expect. Do not overpay for floor seats unless you specifically want the GA pit experience.
- Check the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino connection. Mohegan Pennsylvania — the casino — is a separate facility about 20 minutes from the arena. Some visitors combine a show with a casino visit. The casino also has 19 dining options if you want to make an evening of it.
- I-81 is your friend. The arena’s proximity to the interstate makes the drive from Upstate NY straightforward. The last 10 minutes from the highway to the arena are quick and well-signed.
- Floor configurations change. Some shows are GA standing, others are reserved seating on the floor. Always check the seating chart for your specific event before purchasing.
- Combo it with Montage Mountain. The Pavilion at Montage Mountain is only 15 minutes away. If you are planning a concert weekend in NEPA, you can hit both venues in the same trip.
View the full event schedule and purchase tickets at moheganarenapa.com.