Wollongong Entertainment Centre (also known by its naming rights sponsor WIN Entertainment Centre and colloquially as the WEC) is a multi-purpose indoor arena, located in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
The WEC / The Sandpit | |
 WIN Entertainment Centre as seen from Lang Park (April 2018) | |
 | |
| Former names | Wollongong Entertainment Centre |
|---|---|
| Location | Corner of Crown & Harbour Streets, Wollongong, NSW 2520 |
| Coordinates | 34°25′36″S 150°54′10″E / 34.42667°S 150.90278°E |
| Owner | Venues NSW |
| Capacity | Basketball: 6,000[1] Concerts: 5,000 Reduced mode: 1,000–3,000 |
| Record attendance | 5,839 – 18 February 2005, Wollongong Hawks vs Sydney Kings NBL |
| Surface | Customisable |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 5 September 1998 |
| Architect | NSW Government Architect |
| Tenants | |
| Illawarra Hawks (NBL) (1998–present) | |
The WEC opened on 5 September 1998 with a concert by Bob Dylan and Patti Smith; 4,935 people attended the event. Dylan performed at the venue again in 2011, performing to a crowd of 3,214 people, and again in 2018.
As well as hosting Bob Dylan’s concerts the venue has played host to concerts by many nationally and internationally renowned performers including Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Guy Sebastian, John Farnham, Tina Arena, Pink, Jimmy Barnes, Delta Goodrem, The Veronicas and The Wiggles performing in early 2010s with some still performing at this venue present day.
Even though the venue is the biggest venue in Wollongong many renowned singers have performed in other venues in the Wollongong area including Charli XCX, Tones and I, Troye Sivan, Keith Urban, Guns and Roses, Vance Joy and Elton John who performed at nearby Wollongong Showground. Search up Wollongong Concert Archives for more information on these events.
The arena is 3 minutes walk from the city centre and has hosted a variety of events including Federation Cup tennis, world championship boxing and international musical acts.
Every year the WIN Entertainment Centre holds the Wakakirri Story Dance Wollongong heat, Southern Stars and also a variety of concerts and expos.
The building was designed by the New South Wales Government Architect.
Sporting events
The venue is the home of the Illawarra Hawks who play in the Australasian-based National Basketball League (NBL). During Hawks games it is referred to as "The Sandpit" in reference to being next to the beach. It is also a play on name of the Hawks former home, the Beaton Park Stadium, which was commonly known as "The Snakepit". The Hawks are the only original club left in the NBL.
The record attendance for an event at the WIN Centre is 5,839, set on 18 February 2005, when the Hawks played their regular season finale against the Sydney Kings.
Naming rights
The naming rights to both facilities are owned by WIN Corporation, a Wollongong-based media company which owns the television network, WIN.