Turnpike Troubadours among first acts scheduled at new Fishers arena

The $170 million Fishers Event Center is scheduled to open in November 2024 at the Yard at Fishers District, east of Interstate 69 between East 106th and East 116th streets and southeast of Ikea. (Photo courtesy city of Fishers)

Country music band Turnpike Troubadours, comedian Leanne Morgan and All Elite Wrestling are scheduled later this year at the new Fishers Event Center, venue managers announced Monday.

The 7,500-seat Fishers Event Center is scheduled to open in November at the Yard at Fishers District, east of Interstate 69 between East 106th and East 116th streets and southeast of Ikea. The events are the first to be announced for the arena.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to build an unmatched venue that brings top-level talent to one of the most dynamic parts of our community,” Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness said in written remarks. “These opening events at the Fishers Event Center will mark an incredible milestone for our city, and there’s even more to come.”

Turnpike Troubadours, along with bluegrass-influenced band Trampled by Turtles and singer Tyler Halverson, will perform Nov. 22 in Fishers, while Morgan will take her national tour to the event center on Nov. 30. Tickets for Turnpike Troubadours and Morgan will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

Turnpike Troubadours, which formed in 2005, consists of frontman Evan Felker, lead guitarist Ryan Engleman, fiddle player Kyle Nix, bassist R.C. Edwards, drummer Gabe Pearson, and steel guitar and accordion player Hank Early.

Trampled by Turtles, founded in 2003, has scored four No. 1 albums on the U.S. bluegrass chart, including its latest, “Alpenglow,” which was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.

Morgan, who appears in her Netflix special “I’m Every Woman,” has performed at prestigious venues such as the Chicago Theatre and Ryman Auditorium during her tour.

All Elite Wrestling’s AEW: Dynamite and AEW: Rampage shows will take place Dec. 4. A date for ticket sales has not been announced.

AEW’s roster of wrestlers includes Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Adam Copeland, Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay, Christian Cage, The Young Bucks, Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Hangman Adam Page, Toni Storm, Mercedes Mone, Saraya, Adam Cole, FTR, Dr. Britt Baker, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, Jay White, Claudio Castagnoli, Malakai Black, Will Hobbs, The Acclaimed, The Lucha Bros., Mark Briscoe and Samoa Joe.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this to life,” Fishers Event Center General Manager Mitch List said in written remarks. “We are joining the ranks of the amazing entertainment options in this market with something different to offer, having a unique opportunity to bring in great shows that are selling out arenas elsewhere in the country.”

The $170 million arena will be the home of the Indy Fuel minor league hockey team beginning in the 2024-25 season, and the Fishers Freight professional indoor football team and Indy Ignite professional women’s volleyball team starting in 2025. Fishers Event Center will also host high school sporting events and graduation ceremonies.

The Indy Fuel, an affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Chicago Blackhawks, is moving from Indiana Farmers Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and will be the anchor tenant of Fishers Event Center. The ECHL team plays 36 home games each season.

The Fishers Freight will be an expansion team in the Indoor Football League, while the Indy Ignite will be a member of the Pro Volleyball Federation.

Indianapolis-based Thompson Thrift Development LLC is project manager for the construction of Fishers Event Center and developer of the Yard at Fishers District. New York-based SCI Architects, a company that worked on renovations of Madison Square Garden in Manhattan and Kia Forum in Los Angeles, designed Fishers Event Center. ASM Global, a Los Angeles-based facility management company, is the venue’s manager.