30 Years of Griffins Hockey: A Catalyst for Grand Rapids’ Growth and a New Era with AC Grand Rapids
From Van Andel Arena to Amway Stadium, investment in sports and community continues to shape Grand Rapids’ identity and future.
The introduction of the Grand Rapids Griffins 30 years ago was more than a new hockey team; it was a transformation. When Dan DeVos and David VanAndel announced the formation of West Michigan Hockey, Inc. in 1995, their vision extended beyond the action on the rink. Van Andel Arena was strategically designed to breathe new life into the urban core of Grand Rapids. It wasn’t just about hockey; it was about revitalization.
Van Andel Arena became a cornerstone of downtown development as the first major project led by Grand Action (now Grand Action 2.0), the nonprofit economic development group founded in 1992 to foster public-private partnerships. Designed as a multi-purpose venue, the arena was built to host not only hockey, but concerts, comedy shows, and family events, attracting thousands of visitors, supporting local businesses, and spurring surrounding developments.
Grand Rapids Griffins Calder Cup Champions 2013
On October 11, 1996, the Griffins played their first-ever game in front of a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 fans, launching a legacy that would include two Calder Cup championships and plenty of community pride.
Today, the Griffins remain a beloved and successful team in Grand Rapids. Their current record for the 2025-26 season stands at 23-1-0-1 with 47 points through 25 games. This marks the best start in franchise history and the best start by points in the 90-year history of the AHL.
Their presence is core to the city’s identity, and Van Andel Arena continues to be a hub for entertainment and economic activity. The arena’s location, within walking distance of Rosa Parks Circle, DeVos Place and the Grand Rapids Public Museum, was no accident. It was a deliberate move to stimulate economic growth in the city’s core, coming before those surrounding developments took shape.
Inspired by Van Andel Arena’s redefinition of the downtown landscape, the new Amway Stadium seeks to do the same on the city’s Westside, part of a broader strategy to connect the downtown core with the rapidly growing Bridge Street corridor. Set near the Grand River, the stadium will be home to Athletic Club Grand Rapids (AC Grand Rapids), the region’s newly announced MLS NEXT Pro team. Like the Griffins before them, this team aims to become a central part of Grand Rapids’ sports scene. With over 92,000 youth soccer players in Michigan, the sport’s popularity is undeniable. But there’s potential for so much more.
Amway Stadium, designed as a multi-purpose venue, plans to host 17 professional soccer games and over 50 community events each year, from youth tournaments and college matches to festivals like ArtPrize and World of Winter. The project is expected to spark significant economic development, with a projected $408 million impact over 30 years. It joins a lineage of public assets—Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, and the Downtown Market—that have reshaped Grand Rapids and fueled its growth.
As soccer becomes part of the city’s dynamic sports landscape, it builds on a legacy strengthened by influential teams like the Griffins, whose presence downtown for the past 30 years has driven economic impact and community pride. Strategic investments in sports and infrastructure continue to shape the city’s identity and future.
