<P> The Tsongas Center - which seats approximately 6,000 for hockey and 7,000 for concerts and other events - is the site of major concerts and other public events, including job fairs, skating competitions and graduation ceremonies for area high schools, colleges and universities . It also hosts major university events, such as the annual Commencement ceremonies, Open House for prospective students and the Chancellor's Speaker Series . The series debuted in 2012 with bestselling author Stephen King . Also in 2012, the Tsongas Center was the site of a debate between then - incumbent U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren, which drew more than 5,000 people and was covered by more than 100 media outlets, including NBC News and MSNBC . </P> <P> In 2004, alternative rock pioneers Pixies recorded their live concert DVD and high - definition television special "The Pixies: Come Home Live 2004 World Tour" at the Tsongas Arena . The same year, progressive rock band Yes released a DVD of their 35th anniversary tour performance at the venue titled Songs from Tsongas . </P> <P> In 2009, the boxing scenes of the 2010 film The Fighter were filmed at the Tsongas Center, with Mark Wahlberg portraying Lowell - born champion boxer Micky Ward and Christian Bale portraying his brother Dicky Eklund . </P> <P> UMass Lowell and the city of Lowell entered into negotiations in 2009 with the intent to transfer ownership of the arena and the land adjacent to it to the university . In late October 2009, it was reported that the deal had been reached with UMass Lowell committing to major renovations to the facility . In a ceremony during a game against Boston University on October 30, 2009, the deal transferring ownership to the university was signed . UMass Lowell formally took control of the arena on February 5, 2010 after completing a $1 transaction . </P>

Tsongas center on the university of massachusetts campus