A Mohegan Sun timeline

Oct. 12, 1996 — Doors open.

Dec. 9, 1997 — The Mohegan Tribe announces plans for a $400 million expansion that could include a hotel, a convention center, more gaming space and "an entertainment center."

June 8, 2001 — A steel beam drops into place, topping off construction of the casino’s 34-story, 1,200-room hotel, a key component of Project Sunburst, whose price tag balloons to $1.1 billion.

Oct. 26, 2001 — In Mohegan Sun Arena’s inaugural event, Michael Jordan, the former Chicago Bulls star, returns to action with the Washington Wizards in an NBA exhibition game against the Boston Celtics.

May 18, 2002 — "Irish" Micky Ward decisions Arturo Gatti in a 10-round arena bout described as one of the best boxing matches of all time. Round 9 is dubbed the “Round of the Century.”

June 21, 2002 — During a celebrity-filled weekend celebration of the hotel’s opening, the Blues Brothers (Dan Aykroyd and Jim Belushi) roar into the casino’s Wolf Den on motorcycles. Bill Clinton, the saxophone-playing former president, surprises them on stage.

Jan. 28, 2003 — Casino officials announce they’ve landed the WNBA’s Orlando Magic franchise, renaming the team the Connecticut Sun, which just completed its 14th season at the arena.

May 16, 2007 — Mohegan Sun closes on its $4.4 million purchase of the Pautipaug Country Club in Baltic, renaming it Mohegan Sun Country Club at Pautipaug. It's now known as Mohegan Sun Golf Club.

May-July 2008 — Billy Joel generates more than $9 million in ticket sales during a demand-driven string of 10 sellout performances.

Dec. 27-29, 2013 — Prince, the iconic performer who died this past April, plays three consecutive arena dates.

May 17-18, 2014 — Rocker Bruce Springsteen closes out a U.S. tour with back-to-back shows in the arena.

March 5, 2015 — Plans are revealed for the 400-room Earth Hotel, a $130 million project scheduled for completion this fall.

June 23-25, 2016 — An estimated 90,000 people — a Mohegan Sun Arena record for a three-day event — attend Barrett-Jackson’s inaugural Northeast collector car auction.