Knight Center Complex

The complex originally was built to be an exhibition hall for the downtown Miami area, to attract business conferences, trade shows and conventions. Previous conventions were held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. However, the business atmosphere for Miami Beach began to decline. City officials saw this as an opportunity to claim the market for the blossoming downtown business district.{{cite news |title=Knight Center a costly dream |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=1999-07-04 }} The space, known as James L. Knight Convention Center, was the project of the City of Miami.{{cite news |title=This is the magic of Miami |author=Brubaker, Dale |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=K7YlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Q_MFAAAAIBAJ&dq=james%20knight%20center%20history&pg=2166%2C2428676 |newspaper=The Miami News |date=1982-10-09 |access-date=8 December 2010}} During its construction, the University of Miami sought a sports arena for its revitalized basketball program. Newspaper publisher James L. Knight donated over one million dollars towards the cost of the arena.{{cite news |title=James L. Knight |newspaper=Miami Herald |date= 1991-02-06}} The space became known as the University of Miami Auditorium.

Along with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the complex opened October 2, 1982, to the public. Although this venture was promising for the city government, it proved to be very costly. Although the center hosted many events, it was not able to draw large convention crowds due to its limited size.{{cite news |title=Local rivalries spell trouble in convention city |newspaper=The Miami Herald |date=1983-02-10 }} The venue began to accumulate debt for the county and city officials were unsure of how to solve the problem. Taxes were increased to handle the $5 million annual operating costs and debt for the venue.{{cite news |title=Join the Consortium |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=1984-09-13 }} In 1983, the FIU Sunblazers men's and women's basketball team used the UM Auditorium until the completion of the Sunblazer Arena in 1986.{{cite news |title=FIU plays Knight Center opener |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=1983-12-15 }} Shortly after, the newly formed Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team occupied the auditorium and the center was revitalized.{{cite news |title=Basketball Returns to Miami in 1985 |author=Otterson, Chuck |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JgItAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8M4FAAAAIBAJ&dq=james%20knight%20center&pg=4767%2C1462484 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post|date=1983-10-13 |access-date=8 December 2010}}

To meet demand, the city looked to expand the Knight Center to be used for large conventions, which would not only gain higher revenue for the city, but also solve the city's growing unemployment issue.{{cite news |title= 5,000 jobs foreseen in exhibit hall plan.|author=Lynch, Ray |newspaper=The Miami News |date=1986-01-07 }} Concurrently, the University of Miami were also looking to build upon the athletic success of the auditorium by adding a public meeting space and lecture hall.{{cite news |title=UM: Put new hall near Knight Center |newspaper=Miami Herald |date=1986-01-16 }} During this time, the auditorium hosted many events, including the NWA Wrestling's Clash of the Champions televised event in June 1988 and two concert appearances for the band R.E.M.{{cite news |title=R.E.M. improves concert presence |author=Gleason, Holly |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kG8vAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z9sFAAAAIBAJ&dq=james%20knight%20center&pg=1012%2C4644227 |newspaper=The Palm Beach Post |date=1986-11-25 |access-date=8 December 2010}}

The Knight Center became used primarily for concerts when the Hurricanes moved into Miami Arena in 1988, and became the original home of the annual Premios Lo Nuestro ceremony in the 1990s, remaining until the ceremony moved into the newly completed Waterfront Theater at American Airlines Arena in 2000.

In February 1994 the game show Wheel of Fortune taped episodes at the Knight Center.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL2NPakWqGo|title= Scott McKenzie Wheel of Fortune|publisher=Youtube}} 7 years later in November 2001 Wheel of Fortune would again tape at the Knight Center, however the audience size was reduced following the September 11 Attacks.{{cite AV media|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzfWZBjN9MI|title=Wheel of Fortune (Monday, November 5, 2001)|publisher=Youtube}}

On July 7, 2021, professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) hosted a special episode of their weekly television show AEW Dynamite called Road Rager at the arena.{{Cite web|last=Gagnon|first=Joshua|date=June 30, 2021|title=Andrade In-Ring Debut, Title Match Set for AEW Dynamite: Road Rager|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/06/andrade-in-ring-debut-title-match-set-for-aew-dynamite-road-rager/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|last=Gagnon|first=Joshua|date=July 7, 2021|title=AEW Dynamite Road Rager Preview: Street Fight, Strap Match|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/07/aew-dynamite-road-rager-preview-street-fight-strap-match/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}} AEW would return to the Knight Center in October 2021 to tape another episode of Dynamite and two episodes of its other weekly television show, AEW Rampage.{{Cite web|last=Coder|first=Brie|date=October 15, 2021|title=AEW Rampage Preview (10/15): CM Punk in Action, Danielson Vs. Suzuki on the "Buy In"|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/10/aew-rampage-preview-10-15-six-total-matches-set-for-buy-in-and-main-show/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|last=Ounpraseuth|first=Jason|date=October 16, 2021|title=AEW Saturday Night Dynamite Results: New AAA Tag Champions, Bryan Danielson Vs. Bobby Fish|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/10/aew-saturday-night-dynamite-live-coverage-inner-circle-reunites-aaa-tag-title-match/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}}{{Cite web|last=Coder|first=Brie|date=October 22, 2021|title=AEW Rampage Preview (10/22): PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo II, women's Title Defense, more|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/10/aew-rampage-preview-10-22-pac-vs-andrade-el-idolo-ii-womens-title-defense-more/|access-date=December 16, 2021|website=Wrestling Inc.|language=en-us}}

James L. Knight Center also kicked off the first half of 2023 breaking its record for the most sold-out shows in property history with two sold-out performances by Morat, ranked No. 65 on the Top 100 North American Tours chart, as well as maximum-capacity performances by internationally acclaimed artists, including Lil Nas X, Pablo Alborán, Gilberto Santa Rosa and Isabel Pantoja.

In 2024 the James L. Knight Center achieved a remarkable milestone, ranking number 19 worldwide among theaters with a capacity of 5,000 seats or less, according to the Billboard Boxscore Midyear report.

This recognition highlights the ongoing success of the James L. Knight Center, which has proven to be one of the leading venues in its category in terms of revenue and popularity. The ranking underscores the center’s commitment to providing high-quality entertainment experiences for the Miami community and its visitors.

For the remainder of 2024, the James L. Knight Center expects to continue this positive trend with a variety of sold-out events, including recent shows by P1 Harmony, Brandon Lake, and Fridayy, as well as upcoming performances by Flor Bertotti, Myriam Hernández, and many more that will continue to attract Miami’s diverse community.

• Miami Convention Center
• James L. Knight Center Theater (formerly the James L. Knight Center from 1982 to 2013)
• Riverfront Exhibition Hall
• North Hall
• Central Hall
• South Hall
• Riverwalk & Dockage
• Miami Conference Center
• Ashe Auditorium
• Miami Lecture Hall
• Hyatt Regency Hotel
• Regency Ballroom
• Riverwalk Cafe
• Riverwalk Deli
• Pure Verde

The complex is located along the Miami River near Bayfront Park. Also in the area is Mary Brickell Village, Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and New World School of the Arts. The complex is serviced by the Knight Center station for the Metromover.

File:James L. Knight Center Theater - Front View.jpg|James L. Knight Center Theater - Front View

File:James L. Knight Center Theater - Floor View.jpg|James L. Knight Center Theater - Floor View

File:James L. Knight Center Theater - Lobby View.jpg|James L. Knight Center Theater Lobby

File:Ashe Auditroium at The James L. Knight Center - Side View.jpg|Ashe Auditorium at the James L. Knight Center

File:Ashe Auditroium at The James L. Knight Center - Back View.jpg|Ashe Auditorium at the James L. Knight Center

File:Ashe Auditroium Lobby at The James L. Knight Center.jpg|Ashe Auditorium Lobby at the James L. Knight Center

File:Riverwalk and Dockage View at The James L. Knight Center - View 2.jpg|Riverwalk & Dockage View at the James L. Knight Center

File:Riverwalk and Dockage at The James L. Knight Center.jpg|Riverwalk & Dockage View at the James L. Knight Center

File:Riverwalk and Dockage View at The James L. Knight Center - View 3.jpg|Riverwalk & Dockage at the James L. Knight Center

File:Riverfront Hall at The James L. Knight Center - View 1.jpg|Riverfront Hall at James L. Knight Center - Miami Convention Center

File:Riverfront Hall at The James L. Knight Center - View 2.jpg|Riverfront Hall at James L. Knight Center - Miami Convention Center

File:Miami Lecture Hall at The James L. Knight Center - Back View.jpg|Miami Lecture Hall at the James L. Knight Center

File:Miami Lecture Hall at The James L. Knight Center.jpg|Miami Lecture Hall at the James L. Knight Center

• List of convention centers in the United States

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title=Miss Universe venue|

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{{flagicon|USA}} St. Louis, MO |

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{{flagicon|Panama}} Panama City |

years= 1984 - 1985

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{{Music venues of Florida}}

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Category:Concert halls in Florida

Category:Buildings and structures in Miami

Category:Music venues in Florida

Category:Theatres in Miami

Category:Miami Hurricanes basketball venues

Category:Defunct college basketball venues in the United States

Category:Tourist attractions in Miami

Category:Convention centers in Florida