Among arenas seating between 10,000 and 15,000 people, 1st Mariner was the year's highest grossing with nearly $16 million, Billboard magazine said in its year-end issue.
It's the second year in a row the 1960s venue has received the honor. In 2009, it came in third behind Boardwalk Hall Arena in Atlantic City, N.J., and the MGM Grand's Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
1st Mariner opened in 1962 as the Baltimore Civic Center, and has drawn the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen over the years despite its age.
After nearly 50 years in business, city officials are seeking funding to replace it with a bigger, slicker facility.
This year, 1st Mariner benefited from concerts by Bob Seger, Kanye West and Jay-Z, Sade and Chris Brown. Billboard picks the rankings according to ticket sales and attendance.
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