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Indiana Farmers Coliseum

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Owner
  
State of Indiana

Phone
  
+1 317-927-7623

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Full name
  
Indiana Farmers Coliseum

Former names
  
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1939–91) Pepsi Coliseum (1991–2012) Fairgrounds Coliseum (Apr 2014 – Dec 2014)

Location
  
Indiana State Fairgrounds

Operator
  
Indiana State Fair Commission

Capacity
  
8,000 (original) 6,800 (basketball) 6,300 (hockey) 6,800 (end stage) 4,800 (livestock)

Address
  
1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205, USA

Teams
  
Indy Fuel, IUPUI Jaguars men's basketball, Indiana Ice

Similar
  
Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Allen County War Mem, Old National Centre, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Market Square Arena

Around the arenas of the echl indiana farmers coliseum indy fuel


The Indiana Farmers Coliseum (originally Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and formerly Pepsi Coliseum and Fairgrounds Coliseum) is an 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.

Contents

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.

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.

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History

On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a propane leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 74 people. A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building, but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's lobby.

Indiana Pacers (1967–74)

The venue was home to the Indiana Pacers of the American Basketball Association (ABA) from 1967 to 1974. The Pacers were very successful in their tenure at the Coliseum, winning three ABA Championships. They captured the ABA titles in 1969–70, defeating the Los Angeles Stars in 6 games, in 1971–72, defeating the New York Nets in 6 games, and in the 1972–73 season, defeating the Kentucky Colonels in 7 games. The team moved to Market Square Arena in 1974. In 1976, the Pacers became a franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA) when the ABA merged with the NBA.

The Pacers returned for a night when they played their first pre-season game of the 2008–09 season at the Pepsi Coliseum on October 8, 2008, hosting the then-New Orleans Hornets. 7,439 people watched the Pacers lose to the Hornets 105–71. The Pacers wore uniforms based on the 1967 to 1971 uniform design. Former ABA Pacers George McGinnis, Darnell Hillman, Bob Netolicky, Don Buse, Jerry Harkness, Steve Green, Tom Thacker, Bill Newton, and Wayne Pack, attended the game and were recognized during a halftime ceremony. During the game's first quarter, former Championship Pacers coach and current radio commentator Slick Leonard sat on the Pacers' bench as head coach, while then-head coach Jim O'Brien joined Mark Boyle for the radio broadcast.

Other sports teams and events

The finals of the 1942–43 – 1944–45 Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournaments were held at the Coliseum.

The Indianapolis Capitals of the American Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning the Calder Cup in 1942 and 1950. The Indianapolis Chiefs of the International Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning the Turner Cup in 1958. The Indianapolis Checkers of the Central Hockey League played at the Coliseum, winning back to back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983. The Indianapolis Ice of the CHL played out of the Coliseum, winning the 2000 Ray Miron Cup Championship.

The Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 2004 to 2012, leaving due to the renovation. They did not return to the Coliseum upon the venue reopening, opting for withdrawal from competition or dormancy until another venue could be secured. Since 2014 the Indy Fuel hockey team has played in the arena. The Fuel are an ECHL team affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks.

During the winter months, public ice skating is offered for a small fee. The Coliseum also hosts Budweiser Fight Night Boxing; the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show; the Hoosier Horse Fair; high school and college commencement ceremonies; and many concerts featuring national acts. On April 27, 2016, Donald Trump held a rally for his presidential campaign in the Coliseum.

References

Indiana Farmers Coliseum Wikipedia


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