Heartland Events Center to become BigIron Events Center

Courtesy of KSNB Local 4. Published: Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:28 PM

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A big announcement for the City of Grand Island as the Heartland Events Center will become BigIron Events Center.

On Wednesday, the HEC announced a naming rights partnership with BigIron Auctions and Realty, marking an important new chapter that reflects the facility’s continued growth and success as a regional destination for events.

Final details of the agreement are still being completed, but HEC said the partnership reflects the continued momentum of the Heartland Events Center as a leading destination for concerts, sporting events, rodeos, trade shows, and community gatherings that draw visitors from across Nebraska and the surrounding region.

The agreement represents a $2.1 million investment over the next 15 years and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the region’s event infrastructure and supporting the continued success of the facility.

The city said the venue plays a key role in Grand Island’s position as a central hub for major events while also generating tourism, economic activity and community engagement.

The new collaboration with BigIron Auctions and Realty highlights a shared commitment to investing in the region and creating new opportunities for growth. Mark Stock, Co-Founder of BigIron Auctions and Realty, said the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to investing in communities that are closely tied to agriculture and industry.

“We are incredibly proud to bring the BigIron Events Center to Grand Island,” Stock said. “This community sits at the heart of Central Nebraska and is already home to the Nebraska State Fair, so it’s a perfect place for us to invest in a facility that supports agriculture, industry and the people who make this state so strong. We’re excited about the opportunities it will create for events, businesses and families across Nebraska.”

Heartland Events Center Executive Director Kyler Tarwater said the partnership demonstrates the value of strong private-sector collaboration in supporting a publicly owned venue. “Community partners like Mark Stock and BigIron are critical to the success of the events center,” Tarwater said. “Partnerships like these directly offset taxpayer dollars and reduce the overall level of public support needed to keep the facility operational.”

The Heartland Events Center has built strong momentum in recent years, hosting nationally touring entertainment, large-scale sporting competitions, and major regional events. Most recently, the venue welcomed a sellout crowd of more than 5,000 fans for a LOVB Nebraska volleyball match, underscoring its ability to bring people together and deliver high-impact events for the region.

VenuWorks assumed management of the Heartland Events Center in January 2025.

Eihusen Arena and Bosselman Conference Center will remain as is. Those naming rights have been grandfathered in from the creation of the events center in 2006 and are not for sale.

This partnership announcement comes days after RB Global entered into an agreement to acquire Big Iron Auction Company, accelerating the company’s strategic expansion into U.S. agriculture.

 Additional details about the naming rights agreement will be announced in the coming weeks.