Andrew Pace
University basketball arenas are a source of pride and excitement for students and fans alike. The architecture and size of these arenas vary, from the unique inflatable domed Carrier Dome to the historic 1925-opened court at the University of New Mexico. Some universities, such as Indiana Wesleyan University, are investing in new basketball arenas to elevate their athletic programmes and campus experiences. The University of Oklahoma and the University of Utah are also planning new arenas, with the latter's Jon M. Huntsman Centre having hosted many memorable moments, including a historic Magic-Bird moment in 1979. These arenas not only enhance the game-day experience but also contribute to the universities' reputations and sense of community.
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What You'll Learn
The University of Utah's Jon M. Huntsman Centre
The Jon M. Huntsman Center is a 15,000-seat indoor arena located on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. It is named after the late chemicals entrepreneur and philanthropist Jon M. Huntsman (1937–2018), who was the father of Utah's former governor, Jon Huntsman, Jr. The Huntsman Center opened in 1969 as the Special Events Center, replacing the Nielsen Fieldhouse as the campus' primary indoor arena. It is currently the home of the Utah Utes, also known as the "Runnin' Utes", the men's and women's basketball teams representing the University of Utah. The Huntsman Center also hosts the university's women's gymnastics and volleyball teams.
The Huntsman Center is one of the top college arenas in the nation and is known for its impressive architecture. It features a silver dome interior, which once boasted a distinctive steel cloud hanging from it. The arena underwent a $6 million renovation in 2014, which included the installation of a super-grid ceiling structure, a state-of-the-art sound system, energy-efficient LED lighting, a maple wood floor, and updated graphics. The Huntsman Center is also connected to the HPER complex via underground tunnels, which includes the Jon M. and Karen Huntsman Basketball Center and the Sorenson Legacy Foundation High Performance Center, a sports medicine and strength and conditioning facility.
The University of Utah's basketball and gymnastics teams have achieved numerous victories at the Huntsman Center. Notably, the Huntsman Center hosted the historic 1979 NCAA Basketball Championship game between Magic Johnson's Michigan State Spartans and Larry Bird's Indiana State, which remains the most-watched college basketball game in history. The arena has also hosted the NCAA tournament games 12 times and is the third-highest in the Pac-12 Conference for NCAA Tournament games hosted.
Despite its rich history, the University of Utah's Jon M. Huntsman Center is expected to move to a new location. In 2025, the university's board of trustees approved a motion to explore alternative sites for the arena, as part of an effort to change the campus profile. The Huntsman Center has been a significant venue for the university, hosting not only sporting events but also graduations and concerts, making its potential relocation a notable development for the University of Utah and its community.
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The Schottenstein Centre at Ohio State University
The Jerome Schottenstein Center, also known as the Value City Arena, is a multi-purpose venue located on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The venue is home to the Ohio State men's and women's basketball and ice hockey teams, hosting around 19,000 to 21,000 spectators for basketball games. The arena also serves as a site for concerts, family shows, and touring productions, with the capacity to seat up to 20,000 people.
The Schottenstein Center was opened in 1998, replacing the previous basketball venue, St. John Arena. It is named after Jerome Schottenstein, a Columbus businessman, philanthropist, and founder of Schottenstein Stores Corp., who made a generous $12.8 million lead gift for the project. The venue also recognises contributions from partners like Huntington Banks, The Kroger Company, and Nationwide Insurance.
The arena has a seating capacity of 19,049, which is reduced to around 18,800 for basketball games to accommodate the basketball court. It is the largest arena in the Big Ten Conference by seating capacity and has been ranked highly among conference arenas. The Schottenstein Center has hosted major sporting events, including the NCAA Frozen Four in 2005, and is known for its impressive guest amenities and additional spaces.
The venue features an elaborate curtaining system that can transform the space, providing a more intimate experience with capacities ranging from 3,000 to 7,000. It also offers smaller meeting spaces, conference rooms, hospitality areas, and auxiliary gymnasiums for breakouts. The Schottenstein Center's flexibility allows for customisable floor and seating configurations, making it a versatile venue for various events and gatherings.
The Schottenstein Center has also been a notable location for musical performances, with artists like Bruce Springsteen and Carrie Underwood utilising the arena for concerts and music videos. It has become a prominent sports and entertainment centre, attracting over 1 million guests annually and contributing significantly to the success of Ohio State University's athletic programmes.
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Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee
Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is a multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States. The arena opened in 1987, two years behind its original completion date. It is named after B. Ray Thompson, a key benefactor in the arena's construction, and Dr. Ed Boling, former UT president and pioneer in raising the profile of women's athletics at the University of Tennessee. The basketball court is named "The Summitt" after the late Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt.
The mammoth octagonal building is located just northwest of the Tennessee River and just southwest of Neyland Stadium. With a capacity of 21,678, it is the fourth-largest college basketball arena in the country. The outer volume of the arena is approximately 17 million cubic feet (480,000 m3), and the distance from the playing floor to the roof is 120 feet, the equivalent of a 12-story building.
Thompson-Boling Arena is home to the Tennessee Volunteers (men) and Lady Vols (women) basketball teams, and since 2008, it has also been home to the Lady Vols volleyball team. The University of Tennessee has historically been one of the more successful college basketball programs in the SEC, and the Thompson-Boling Arena has witnessed many victories. During the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons, the University of Tennessee Men's Basketball team went undefeated at 16-0 in the arena. On February 5, 2009, history was made as the Tennessee Lady Vols defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 73-43, giving head coach Pat Summitt her 1,000th win.
In addition to sporting events, the Thompson-Boling Arena also serves as a concert venue, holding up to 25,000 people. The stage is set up to provide an optimum view from every seat in the arena. The venue has hosted concerts by artists such as Nelly, Stevie Nicks, and Elton John. Overall, the Thompson-Boling Arena is a premier basketball facility and a notable landmark on the campus of the University of Tennessee.
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The KFC Yum! Center at the University of Louisville
The KFC Yum! Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is named after the KFC restaurant chain and its parent company, Yum! Brands. The arena is located on the banks of the Ohio River, adjacent to the waterfront, and is the official home of the University of Louisville's men's and women's basketball teams, also known as the Louisville Cardinals.
The KFC Yum! Center opened on October 10, 2010, and is part of a $450 million project that includes a 975-car parking structure and a floodwall. The arena offers 22,090 seats for basketball, making it the largest arena in the United States by seating capacity designed primarily for the sport. It is also the second-largest arena used for college basketball, after the JMA Wireless Dome at Syracuse University.
The University of Louisville's basketball teams previously called Freedom Hall their home for 54 seasons before moving to the KFC Yum! Center in 2010. The new arena highlights the rich basketball history of the Cardinals and embodies the culture of the city of Louisville and the state of Kentucky. It is also a popular venue for concerts and other sporting events, offering advanced technology capabilities and ample meeting spaces.
The construction of the KFC Yum! Center was the subject of some controversy. Early planning focused on two potential sites: one owned by the Louisville Water Company and the other by Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E) on the waterfront. University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino stated he would not coach in an arena built at the water company site, while others, including Papa John's Pizza founder John Schnatter, a major donor to the athletic program, criticised the LG&E location due to its higher cost. Ultimately, the arena was built on the LG&E site, with the support of Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, who cited economic development potential.
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I AM THIRD Arena at Indiana Wesleyan University
The I AM THIRD Arena is set to be an 80,000-square-foot basketball arena at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU). The groundbreaking ceremony for the new arena took place on October 18, 2024, after the IWU Board of Trustees approved the project. The arena is named 'I AM THIRD' and is expected to inspire school spirit, unite students, and become a hub for events and engagement at IWU.
The ceremony was attended by several notable individuals, including Vice President of University Advancement John Jones, IWU Board Trustee David Dimmich, Campus Pastor and Dean of Spiritual Formation Dr. Andrea Summers, Mayor Ronald Morrell Jr., President Dr. Jon Kulaga, and the IWU Marching Band. Dr. Mark DeMichael, Vice President of Student Development and Athletics, expressed his confidence in the arena's positive impact on students, staff, and the school's capabilities.
The project is made possible through fundraising efforts, with significant contributions from an anonymous donor and Project 29, courtesy of the Lilly Endowment. The new arena will be a welcome addition to the IWU campus, enhancing the university's athletic facilities and providing a space for students and the community to come together.
The I AM THIRD Arena at IWU joins a list of notable university basketball arenas across the country, including the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State University, the Thompson-Boling Arena at the University of Tennessee, and the Jon M. Huntsman Center at the University of Utah, which is currently exploring a relocation to a new site. These arenas not only serve as venues for basketball and other sports but also attract major concerts and events, contributing to the campus experience and the surrounding community.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the largest university basketball arenas in the US include the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, which seats 22,090 fans, the Dean Smith Center in North Carolina, which seats 21,750 fans, and Thompson-Boling Arena in Tennessee, which can accommodate 21,678 fans.
The Carrier Dome, built on a former football stadium site, is the largest on-campus basketball arena in the US, with a capacity of 49,000 for football and over 35,000 for basketball. The Pit at the University of New Mexico, which opened in 1966, features a unique construction style with a Behlen roof and a seating bowl that drops 37 feet below street level. Devlin Fieldhouse in New Orleans is one of the 10 oldest NCAA venues, having opened in 1931, and it has undergone several renovations since.
Indiana Wesleyan University broke ground on a new $30 million basketball arena called the I AM THIRD Arena in October 2024. The University of Oklahoma is also set to build a new basketball arena. The University of Utah's Jon M. Huntsman Centre, which has been the site of several historic basketball and gymnastics victories, is expected to move to a new location.
