The Pepsi Coliseum is an Indianapolis entertainment hub. The 8,200 seat arena is located on Indy’s east side at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Looking for something to do in Indianapolis? The venue is a main attraction for all kinds of happenings, not just the shared site of the Indiana State Fair. Weekend excursions, featuring concerts, speeches, Indianapolis sports and many other fun filled events.
The facility, built in 1939, is home to Indiana‘s oldest public ice-skating rink. The ice skating rink is seasonally open to the public for a nominal fee. Other Indianapolis events currently housed in the Pepsi Coliseum are the Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show, the All-American Horse Classic, the Shrine Circus, Budweiser Fight Night Boxing, the Hoosier Horse Fair and countless musical performances. Each year, several high school and college commencements are mounted at the Coliseum in celebration of Indianapolis education’s big June rite of passage.
From 1967 to 1974, the Indiana Pacers were housed in the Pepsi Coliseum, before the construction of Market Square Arena in downtown Indianapolis. In 2008, the Pacers commemorated their history by hosting their pre-season opening game at the Pepsi Coliseum, wearing the classic uniforms. Although the Pacers lost the game, the event was a tribute to Indianapolis basketball and the surviving Pacers who played in the American Basketball Association (ABA), before the Pacers were franchised with the NBA in 1976.
From 1979 to 1984, the Indianapolis Checkers International Hockey League team played at the Pepsi Coliseum. Currently, U.S. Hockey League team Indiana Ice calls the venue home. The ice rink is also used for youth Indianapolis hockey leagues and skating lessons.
Many politicians have visited the Pepsi Coliseum throughout history. In 2005, Governor Mitch Daniels was sworn into office and gave his inaugural address to a full house. In 2003, President George W. Bush was the first sitting president to give a speech at the Coliseum. Presidential candidate John F. Kennedy made a stop at the venue on his campaign trail in 1960.
A tragedy occurred at the Pepsi Coliseum in 1963. During the premier of Holiday on Ice, a propane leak caused an explosion near the concession stands. More than 70 people were killed and nearly 400 were injured. The facility was quickly restored, and a monument was placed to honor the accident victims.
The retro structure of the 70-year-old Pepsi Coliseum was used as a model design for the Lucas Oil Stadium, which opened in 2008. The Coliseum holds a special place in Indianapolis history, and has seen many renovations over the years. In 1988, there were small upgrades to the arena. Ten years later, there was a $1 million upgrade. In the late ’90s, the original wooden seats were replaced by recycled chairs from the RCA Dome, which was demolished about 10 years later.
For more information on the Pepsi Coliseum, please visit the venue’s homepage.
Pepsi Coliseum
1202 E 38th St
Indianapolis, IN 46205
317.927.7536
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I would like to know who was the entertainment at the
State fair in 76 and 77. Iam looking for first concert. It was the beach boys in mid 70′s thanks
Beach Boys in Concert @ State Fair, Indpls. Aug 26, 1976. I attended and made the paper. Am looking for Indpls Star article which reviewed the concert.