Indiana Farmers Coliseum
The Indiana Farmers Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and formerly Pepsi Coliseum and Fairgrounds Coliseum) is a 6,500-seat indoor multi-use arena, located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home to both the Indy Fuel of the ECHL and the IUPUI Jaguars of the NCAA.
Indiana Farmers Coliseum in 2014 | |
Indiana Farmers Coliseum Location within Indiana Indiana Farmers Coliseum Location within the United States | |
Former names | Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1939–91) Pepsi Coliseum (1991–2012) Fairgrounds Coliseum (Apr–Dec 2014) |
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Address | 1202 E. 38th St. Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
Location | Indiana State Fairgrounds |
Coordinates | 39°49′39″N 86°8′6″W |
Owner | State of Indiana |
Operator | Indiana State Fair Commission |
Capacity | Basketball: 6,800 Hockey: 6,200 |
Construction | |
Broke ground | 1936 |
Opened | August 1939 |
Renovated | 2014 |
Closed | October 29, 2012 – April 23, 2014 |
Reopened | April 24, 2014 |
Construction cost | $63 million (renovation) |
Architect | Populous |
Project manager | Hunt Construction Group |
Tenants | |
Indiana Pacers (ABA) (1967–1974)
Indianapolis Capitals (AHL) (1939–1952)
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Website | |
www |
Originally opened in 1939 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration (part of the New Deal), the Coliseum has hosted numerous historical events, including the only performances ever held in Indiana by The Beatles, in 1964.
After Market Square Arena opened in 1974, the coliseum continued on as an alternate venue to the larger arena for events requiring less seating or overall space. This continues today after the Gainbridge Fieldhouse opened in 1999, and the subsequent demolition of Market Square Arena in 2001.
On October 26, 2012, the Coliseum held a "Lights Out" ceremony and closed for renovations. On April 24, 2014, after a 17-month, $53 million renovation, the Coliseum re-opened.
In December 2014, the Indiana Farmers Mutual Insurance Company entered into a ten-year agreement with the Indiana State Fair Commission to re-christen the arena as the Indiana Farmers Coliseum.