WILKES-BARRE – Since it opened a decade ago, the Wachovia Arena, in Wilkes-Barre, has been the indoor professional sports and entertainment venue for northeast Pennsylvania. Wachovia is not renewing the naming rights.

Beginning January 20 of next year, Mohegan Sun, which operates the nearby casino and racetrack at Pocono Downs, will have its name on the arena. 

The arena will remain the home for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League, the top minor-league affiliate of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.  A minor league arena football team that had used the arena, announced earlier this fall that it was folding.

Many top-name entertainers have used the arena in recent eyars, including Elton John, Barry Manilow, Neil Diamond and Blue Man Group.