Corteva Coliseum

{{short description|Indoor arena in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.}}

{{Use American English|date=December 2021}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}

{{Infobox venue

| name = Corteva Coliseum

| image = Coliseum Exterior 2014.JPG

| caption = Corteva Coliseum in 2014

| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=10|type=point}}

| pushpin_map = Indiana#USA

| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Indiana##Location within the United States

| pushpin_relief = 1

| pushpin_label = Corteva Coliseum

| fullname =

| former_names = Livestock Pavilion (1907–1938){{cite web|url=https://indianaalbum.pastperfectonline.com/photo/9B583E94-D96C-453D-B999-307641180953|title=Indiana State Fair Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, circa 1910|publisher=The Indiana Album|access-date=October 31, 2024}}
Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum (1939–1991)
Pepsi Coliseum (1991–2012)
Fairgrounds Coliseum (2012–2014)
Indiana Farmers Coliseum (2014-2024)

| location = Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center

| address = 1202 E. 38th St.
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.

| coordinates = {{coord|39|49|39|N|86|8|6|W|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US}}

| broke_ground = 1936

| built =

| opened = {{Start date|1939|08}}

| renovated = 2014

| closed = {{Start date|2012|10|29}} – {{End date|2014|04|23}}

| reopened = {{Start date|2014|04|24}}

| cost = $53 million (renovation){{cite web |title=Indiana Farmers Coliseum |url=http://www.indianastatefair.com/coliseum/ |access-date=May 4, 2017}}

| architect = Merritt Harrison (original){{cite web|url=https://discoverindianahistory.org/tours/show/33|publisher=Discover Indiana|access-date=October 31, 2024 |title=Tour | Architecture of the Indiana State Fairgrounds }}
Browning Day & Populous (renovation){{cite web|url=https://browningday.com/work/cultural/indiana-farmers-coliseum/|publisher=Browning Day|access-date=October 31, 2024 |title=Indiana Farmers Coliseum Cultural Project }}

| project_manager = [http://huntconstructiongroup.com/ Hunt Construction Group]

| owner = State of Indiana

| operator = Indiana State Fair Commission

| capacity = Basketball: 6,800
Hockey: 6,200{{cite web|url=https://www.indianastatefair.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Coliseum_Reopens_HC.pdf|title=Fairgrounds Coliseum reopens after historic renovation|publisher=Indiana State Fairgrounds|website=indianastatefair.com|date=April 24, 2014|access-date=November 30, 2019}}

| tenants = ; Basketball

Indiana Pacers (ABA) (1967–1974)
IU Indy Jaguars (NCAA) (2014–present)
Indiana Fever (WNBA) (2021–2022)

; Ice hockey

Indianapolis Capitals (AHL) (1939–1952)
Indianapolis Chiefs (IHL) (1955–1962)
Indianapolis Capitols (CPHL) (1963)
Indianapolis Checkers (CHL/IHL) (1979–1985)
Indianapolis Ice (IHL) (1988–1994, 1997–1999)
Indiana Ice (USHL) (2004–2012)
Indy Fuel (ECHL) (2014–2024)

; Other

Naptown Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2010–present)

| website = {{URL|https://www.indianastatefair.com/p/corteva-coliseum1}}

}}

File:Fairgrounds Coliseum-Hockey.jpg

The Corteva Coliseum is a 6,500-seat indoor multi-use arena, located on the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. It was originally called the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum and later the Pepsi Coliseum,{{cite news|url=http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/history/coliseum_explosion/coliseum.html|title=1963 Coliseum explosion killed 74|access-date=May 25, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504143441/http://www2.indystar.com/library/factfiles/accidents/history/coliseum_explosion/coliseum.html|archive-date=May 4, 2012|url-status=dead|publisher=Indianapolis Star}} Fairgrounds Coliseum, and Indiana Farmers Coliseum.

History

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.{{cite web |title=Indiana Farmers Coliseum |url=http://www.indianastatefair.com/coliseum/ |access-date=May 4, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Higgins |first=Will |title=Hoosiers recall Beatles performances at '64 Indiana State Fair |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/life/2014/07/29/beatles-indiana-state-fair/13314237/ |access-date=2024-08-09 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}

=1963 gas explosion=

{{Main|1963 Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum gas explosion}}

File:Fairgrounds Coliseum plaq.jpg

On October 31, 1963, during a Holiday on Ice show, a liquefied petroleum gas leak at a concession stand caused an explosion which killed 81 people{{Cite book |last=Drabek |first=Thomas E. |url=http://archive.org/details/disasterinaisle10000drab |title=Disaster in Aisle 13: A Case Study of the Coliseum Explosion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, October 31, 1963 |publisher=College of Administrative Science, The Ohio State University |year=1968 |series=Disaster Research Center Series |location=Columbus, Ohio |language=en}} and injured around 400 others.{{cite news |last=Drabek |first=Thomas |date=May 18, 1995 |title=Disaster in Aisle 13 Revisited |url=http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/96/05/over_4.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027023233/http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/96/05/over_4.html |archive-date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=October 7, 2008}} A memorial plaque was dedicated 40 years later in the building,{{Cite web |date=2002-11-14 |title=Dedication recalls Coliseum explosion |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/news/dedication-recalls-coliseum-explosion/531-b45846d5-df27-4551-a7d3-c0d0a9395061 |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=wthr.com |language=en-US}} but it has since been removed. Another plaque honoring the explosion victims currently hangs inside the building's lobby.

= Subsequent history =

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.{{Cite web |last=Jaipuriar |first=Rashika |title='One last show': Indianapolis bid farewell to the iconic Market Square Arena 20 years ago |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2021/07/08/market-square-arena-implosion-indianapolis-2001/7834043002/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}

On October 26, 2012, the Coliseum held a "Lights Out" ceremony and closed for renovations.{{cite news |title=Lights Out Ceremony |url=http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/lights-are-out-at-the-pepsi-coliseum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028164130/http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/lights-are-out-at-the-pepsi-coliseum |archive-date=2012-10-28 |access-date=2012-10-27}} On April 24, 2014, after a 17-month, $53 million renovation, the Coliseum re-opened.{{cite news |last1=Rader |first1=Kevin |date=April 25, 2014 |title=Open house shows off newly renovated State Fairgrounds Coliseum |url=http://www.wthr.com/story/25329239/2014/04/24/open-house-shows-off-newly-renovated-state-fairgrounds-coliseum |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183325/http://www.wthr.com/story/25329239/2014/04/24/open-house-shows-off-newly-renovated-state-fairgrounds-coliseum |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |work=WTHR |ref=WTHR_reopening}}

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.{{Cite web |title=State Fair Coliseum takes Indiana Farmers Coliseum name – 13 WTHR Indianapolis |url=http://www.wthr.com/story/27526352/2014/12/02/state-fair-coliseum-takes-indiana-farmers-coliseum-name |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213081007/http://www.wthr.com/story/27526352/2014/12/02/state-fair-coliseum-takes-indiana-farmers-coliseum-name |archive-date=2014-12-13 |access-date=2014-12-02}}

In November 2024, the Indiana State Fairgrounds Commission and Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience entered into an agreement to rename the Coliseum as Corteva Coliseum.{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Ashley |date=2024-11-13 |title=Indiana State Fairgrounds announces new name for Coliseum |url=https://www.wishtv.com/news/local-news/indiana-state-fairgrounds-corteva-coliseum/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=WISH-TV}}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.remembertheaba.com/Indiana-Pacers.html|title=Remember the ABA: Indiana Pacers|website=www.remembertheaba.com|access-date=August 30, 2019}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080820/SPORTS04/80820089/1088|title=Pacers to play New Orleans in Pepsi Coliseum|date=August 20, 2008|work=Indianapolis Star|access-date=2008-10-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610223806/http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20080820%2FSPORTS04%2F80820089%2F1088|archive-date=June 10, 2015|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5700022315|title=A night to remember, a game to forget|last=Brunner|first=Conrad|date=October 8, 2008|access-date=October 10, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021013817/http://my.nba.com/thread.jspa?threadID=5700022315|archive-date=October 21, 2008|url-status=dead|publisher=National Basketball Association}} 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.{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/2008-10-08-3220063469_x.htm | work=USA Today | title=Former Pacers coach Leonard expected to coach | date=October 8, 2008}}

Ice hockey

The Indianapolis Capitals of the American Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 1939 to 1952, winning the Calder Cup in 1942 and 1950. The Indianapolis Chiefs of the International Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 1955 to 1962, winning the Turner Cup in 1958. The Indianapolis Checkers of the Central Hockey League and International Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 1979 to 1985, winning back-to-back Adams Cup Championships in 1982 and 1983. The Indianapolis Ice of the International Hockey League played in the Coliseum from 1988 to 1994, and again from 1997 to 1999 when the Conseco Fieldhouse was under construction, winning the 1990 Turner Cup championship.

The Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League played at the Coliseum from 2004 to 2012, leaving due to the renovation. The Ice won the USHL's Clark Cup in 2009 while playing in the building. They did not return to the Coliseum upon the venue reopening, opting for withdrawal from competition or dormancy until another venue could be secured.{{Cite web |url=http://www.indianaice.com/news/2014/07/21/indiana-ice/indiana-ice-granted-dormacy/ |title=Indiana Ice Granted Dormacy | Indiana Ice |access-date=2014-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020115919/http://www.indianaice.com/news/2014/07/21/indiana-ice/indiana-ice-granted-dormacy/ |archive-date=2014-10-20 |url-status=dead }} Since 2014 the Indy Fuel hockey team has played in the arena. The Fuel are an ECHL team affiliated with the Chicago Blackhawks. The 2023–2024 season was the last for the Fuel at the Coliseum before they leave for the new Fishers Event Center currently under construction in suburban Fishers.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-25 |title=Indy Fuel and city leaders break ground on Fishers Event Center |url=https://fox59.com/indiana-news/indy-fuel-and-city-leaders-break-ground-on-fishers-event-center/ |access-date=2023-05-14 |website=Fox 59 |language=en-US}}

The Coliseum hosted the American Hockey League's Calder Cup Final in 1942, 1943 and 1950; the International Hockey League's Turner Cup Final in 1957, 1958 and 1990; the Central Hockey League's Adams Cup Final in 1982, 1983 and 1984; and the United States Hockey League's Clark Cup Final in 2009. Eight of Indianapolis' nine hockey championship teams called the Coliseum home.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Other sports teams and events

The finals of the 1942–43 – 1944–45 Indiana High School Boys Basketball Tournaments were held at the Coliseum.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}

On January 25, 2019, the Horizon League announced its Men's and Women's Basketball Championships would take place at the Coliseum, starting March 9–10, 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://horizonleague.org/news/2019/1/25/mens-basketball-horizon-league-announces-indianapolis-as-future-site-for-hlmbb-and-hlwbb-championships.aspx|title=Horizon League Announces Indianapolis as Future Site for #HLMBB and #HLWBB Championships|website=horizonleague.org|access-date=October 16, 2019}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ibj.com/articles/58264-bob-knight-to-join-trump-at-rally-in-indianapolis|title=Bob Knight to join Trump at rally in Indianapolis|last=Associated Press|date=April 28, 2016|website=Indianapolis Business Journal|access-date=August 30, 2019}}

During the winter months, public ice skating is offered at the Coliseum.{{Cite web |title=Indiana Farmers Coliseum {{!}} Indianapolis, IN |url=https://www.visitindy.com/listing/indiana-farmers-coliseum/5433/ |access-date=2024-06-25 |website=www.visitindy.com |language=en-us}}

With the NCAA electing to hold the entirety of the 2021 Division I men's basketball tournament within the state of Indiana to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Coliseum served as one of the sites hosting first and second-round games.{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=NCAA tournament to be held entirely in Indiana|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/30650595/ncaa-men-basketball-tournament-played-entirely-indiana|access-date=2021-01-04|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}

On April 13, 2021, the Indiana Fever announced that they would play the last 12 home games of the 2021 WNBA season at the Coliseum due to the renovations at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.{{cite press release|url=https://fever.wnba.com/news/indiana-fever-2021-schedule/ |title=Indiana Fever Announce 2021 Regular Season Schedule |publisher=Indiana Fever |date=April 13, 2021 |access-date=July 9, 2021}}

On November 10, 2021, professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling hosted an episode of their weekly television show AEW Dynamite from the arena.{{Cite web|last=Gagnon|first=Joshua|date=November 10, 2021|title=AEW Dynamite Preview: Full Gear Go-Home Episode|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/11/aew-dynamite-preview-full-gear-go-home-episode/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}}

On November 30, 2022, All Elite Wrestling had another one of their shows (AEW Dynamite).{{Cite web |last=Carrera |first=Pep |date=2022-12-01 |title=AEW Dynamite in Indianapolis Quick Results (11/30/2022) |url=https://luchacentral.com/aew-dynamite-in-indianapolis-quick-results-11-30-2022/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Lucha Central |language=en-US}}

Performances

{{trivia|date=February 2024}}

See also

References

{{reflist|30em}}