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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 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, Anastacia, John Farnham, Keith Urban, Tina Arena, Pink, Jimmy Barnes, Bryan Adams, John Mayer, Delta Goodrem, The Veronicas, The Script, X Ambassadors, Cher, Cyndi Lauper, Kelly Clarkson, Billy Ocean, Jack Johnson, Disney On Ice, and The Wiggles performing in early 2010s with some still performing at this venue present day.
The arena is a 3-minute 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.
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 an adaptation 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.
The naming rights to both facilities are owned by WIN Corporation, a Wollongong-based media company which owns the television network, WIN.
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