View source for Liacouras Center

{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{short description|Multi-purpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = The Liacouras Center
| nickname = "''The Apollo''", "''The Pete''"
| image = The Liacouras Center - Temple University (53564503499).jpg
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|zoom=15|type=point}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|39|58|47|N|75|9|31|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| address = 1776 North Broad Street
| location = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| broke_ground = January 25, 1996
| opened = November 11, 1997
| closed = 
| demolished = 
| owner = [[Temple University]]
| operator = [[Comcast Spectacor#Global Spectrum|Global Spectrum]]
| construction_cost = $73&nbsp;million
| architect = Vitetta Group<br>[[Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates]]
| general_contractor = LF Driscoll<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nsfire.com/projects/entertainment/stadiums-and-arenas |title=Northstar Fire Protection - Stadiums and Arenas |publisher=Nsfire.com |access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref>
| former_names = The Apollo of Temple (1997–2000)
| tenants = [[Temple Owls]] ([[NCAA]]) (1997–present)<br>[[Philly Roller Derby]] ([[Women's Flat Track Derby Association|WFTDA]]) (2005–present)<br>[[Philadelphia KiXX]] ([[Major Indoor Soccer League (2009)|MISL]]) (2009–2010)
| seating_capacity = 10,206 Basketball<br> 9,000 Ice Hockey<ref name="Arena Info"/>
| publictransit = {{Unbulleted list|{{ric|SEPTA Metro}} [[SEPTA Metro]]: {{rint|philadelphia|B}}<br/>({{stl|SEPTA Metro|Cecil B. Moore}})|{{bus icon|12px}} {{rint|septa|60px}} [[SEPTA]] bus: {{SEPTA bus link|3|4|16}}}}
| website = {{url|liacourascenter.com}}
}}
The '''Liacouras Center'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liacourascenter.com |title=Sports and Cultural Events in Downtown Philadelphia |publisher=The Liacouras Center |access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref> is a 10,206-seat multi-purpose venue which opened in 1997 and was originally named "''The Apollo of Temple''". The arena was renamed in 2000 for Temple University President, [[Peter J. Liacouras]]. It is part of a $107&nbsp;million, four-building complex along [[Broad Street (Philadelphia)|North Broad Street]] on the [[Temple University]] campus in [[North Philadelphia]]. The Liacouras Center is the largest indoor, public assembly venue in [[Philadelphia]] north of [[Philadelphia City Hall|City Hall]].

== History ==
During the 1980s, Temple basketball coach [[John Chaney (basketball, born 1932)|John Chaney]] sought to raise the profile of the men's basketball program through aggressively scheduling top-tier, out of conference opponents. Some programs, however, scoffed at the idea of playing at Temple's 3,900-seat on-campus arena, [[McGonigle Hall]]. Temple's President at the time, [[Peter J. Liacouras]], supported the idea of a larger basketball facility in hopes of building Temple's national presence. Temple considered several locations and a site was purchased in 1988 for $7.3 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://temple-news.com/sports/arena-turns-10-years-old/|title=Arena turns 10 years old - The Temple News|work=The Temple News|access-date=2017-03-13|language=en-US}}</ref> The state of Pennsylvania awarded Temple $31.1 million in October 1992, despite disagreements between Chaney and then-City Council president [[John F. Street|John Street]].

The project was approved in 1995, with a January 25, 1996 groundbreaking.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://temple-news.com/news/the-arena-which-brought-students/|title=The arena which brought students - The Temple News|work=The Temple News|access-date=2017-03-13|language=en-US}}</ref> Two nationally recognized architectural firms designed the building: Vitetta Group<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vitetta.com/|title=Architecture Engineering Planning Interior Design|publisher=Vitetta|access-date=2012-07-09}}</ref> of Philadelphia, and [[Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates|Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates]] of Atlanta. The {{convert|340000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} venue opened in the 1997-98 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/temple/20150212_Sparse_Temple_crowds_nothing_to_cheer_about.html|title=Sparse Temple crowds nothing to cheer about|work=Philly.com|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref> The first game played was a 76-61 Temple win over [[Fresno State]].

The venue was originally named ''The Apollo of Temple''. The name changed to the Liacouras Center just prior to Liacouras' retirement on February 13, 2000.<ref name="Arena Info">{{Cite web|url=http://www.liacourascenter.com/arena-info|title=Arena Info {{!}} The Liacouras Center {{!}} The Liacouras Center|website=www.liacourascenter.com|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref>

The Liacouras Center is managed by [[Comcast Spectacor#Spectra Experiences|Spectra Experiences]] (previously called Global Spectrum), a subsidiary of [[Comcast-Spectacor]]. The Liacouras Center is Philadelphia's largest indoor venue north of City Hall and hosts home games for all of [[Temple Owls men's basketball|Temple men's basketball]], along with some women's games. As of the end of the [[2016–17 Temple Owls men's basketball team|2016-17 season]], the Owls have amassed a 206-69 record in the building. ''The Esther Boyer Theater at the Liacouras Center'' is a small theater setup of 1,000 to 5,000 seats for more intimate presentations. The complex also houses the ''Independence Blue Cross Recreation Center'' (IBC), which includes a gym, basketball court, racquetball courts, and more. The IBC opened in the spring semester of 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://campusrecreation.temple.edu/independence-blue-cross-student-rec-center-ibc|title=Independence Blue Cross Student Rec Center (IBC) {{!}} Campus Recreation|website=campusrecreation.temple.edu|language=en|access-date=2017-03-13}}</ref> The fourth building in the complex is a 1,200-space parking garage.

==Use beyond basketball==

Besides hosting Temple basketball games, the Liacouras Center is a full entertainment arena featuring concerts, family shows, [[Philadelphia KiXX]] games, [[Philly Roller Derby]] bouts, dramatic presentations, and family shows. Additionally, several high school graduations, as well as university graduations and convocation ceremonies, are held there.

===Professional wrestling===
On October 16, 2019, [[All Elite Wrestling]] (AEW) held its third televised professional wrestling event at the Liacouras Center, broadcast on the [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT network]] in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2019/8/6/20756988/aew-announces-boston-philadelphia-tv-tapings |title = AEW announces locations for second & third TV tapings|date = August 6, 2019}}</ref> AEW returned to the Liacouras Center for its second anniversary show on October 6, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|title=Tony Khan Reflects on Second Anniversary of ‘Dynamite’|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2021/10/06/aew-dynamite-second-anniversary-tony-khan|access-date=2021-10-18|website=Sports Illustrated|language=en-us}}</ref>

On April 5, 2024, [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH - the sister promotion of AEW), promoted its [[Supercard of Honor (2024)|Supercard of Honor]] event at the Liacouras Center.

On April 6, 2025, AEW return with their pay-per-view, [[AEW Dynasty (2025)|Dynasty]].

===Pandemic era hospital===
In March 2020, the Liacouras Center was transformed into a field hospital with 200 beds arranged on the court in anticipation of a surge in need during the onset of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and shortages in city hospitals.<ref>{{cite news |last=Whelan|first=Aubrey |date=March 30, 2020|title=How Temple's Liacouras Center was transformed into a hospital site amid coronavirus pandemic |url=https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/liacouras-center-coronavirus-field-hospital-20200330.html|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|access-date=March 30, 2020 }}</ref> At the end of April 2020, operations of the field hospital began winding down as the rate of new COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia began to decline.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDaniel|first1=Justine|last2=Verma|first2=Pranshu|last3=McCrystal|first3=Laura|date=April 30, 2020|title=Philly to wind down spare hospital as cases decline; New Jersey allows parks to reopen|url=https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-pa-reopen-new-jersey-liacouras-center-social-distancing-20200429.html|work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|access-date=May 1, 2020 }}</ref>

==Past events==
[[File:Liacouras Center from the Student Section.jpg|thumb|264x264px|December 2012]]

=== Music ===

==== Rap - Hip-hop ====
* [[50 Cent]]
* [[Fat Joe]]
* [[Fetty Wap]]
* [[Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow]] and [[Omarion]]
* [[Kid Cudi]]
* [[Method Man & Redman]]
* [[Kanye West]]
* [[Wale (rapper)|Wale]]
* [[Wiz Khalifa]]
* [[Big Sean]]
* Super Jam 2010, featuring [[Trey Songz]] and [[Ludacris]]
* [[T.I.]]
* [[Nelly]]
* [[Ludacris]] (October 2014)
* [[A$AP Rocky]]
*[[Playboi Carti]]
*[[A Boogie wit da Hoodie]]
*[[Sexyy Red]]

==== Rock - Pop ====
* [[Bob Dylan]]
* [[Phil Lesh and Friends]]
* [[Maroon 5]]
* [[John Mayer]]
* [[Counting Crows]]
* [[Natalie Merchant]]
* [[Muse (band)|Muse]]
* [[Goo Goo Dolls]]
* [[Green Day]]
* [[R.E.M.]]
* [[Automatic Black]]
* [[Clay Aiken]]/[[Kelly Clarkson]]
* [[Of Monsters and Men]]
* [[My Chemical Romance]]
* [[Bastille (band)|Bastille]]
*[[The Chainsmokers]]
* [[Bassnectar]]

==== R&B ====
* [[Sam Smith (singer)|Sam Smith]] (January 13, 2015)
* [[Alicia Keys]]
* [[Patti LaBelle]]
* [[Luther Vandross]]

==== Country ====
* [[LeAnn Rimes]]
* [[Carrie Underwood]] with [[Little Big Town]]

=== Entertainment ===
* [[Jamie Foxx]]
* ''[[Fat Albert (film)|Fat Albert]]'' (film; world premiere)
* [[Wheel of Fortune (U.S. game show)|Wheel of Fortune]]
* [[Steve Harvey]]
* [[Katt Williams]]
* [[Theresa Caputo]] (October 2014)
*[[Martin Lawrence]]

=== Politics/Government ===
* [[Barack Obama]] (November 2, 2014)
* [[Bernie Sanders]] (April 6, 2016)
* [[Barack Obama]], [[Joe Biden]], [[Josh Shapiro]], and [[John Fetterman]] (November 5, 2022)
* [[Donald Trump]] (June 22, 2024)
* [[Kamala Harris]] (August 6, 2024, to introduce [[Tim Walz]] as Vice-Presidential nominee)

=== Sports ===
[[File:AEW Dynamite, Liacouras Center, October 25, 2023.jpg|thumb|349x349px|The Liacouras Center prior to the filming of [[All Elite Wrestling|AEW]] ''[[AEW Dynamite|Dynamite]]'' and ''[[AEW Rampage|Rampage]]'', October 25, 2023]]
* [[Bernard Hopkins]] vs. [[Enrique Ornelas]] (December 2, 2009)
* [[2004 NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament|NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Tournament]] (2004; Opening Round)
* [[TNA Wrestling]]'s [[Lockdown (2009)|Lockdown]] (April 19, 2009)
* [[TNA Wrestling]]'s [[Bound for Glory (2011)|Bound for Glory]] (October 16, 2011)
* [[The Harlem Globetrotters]]
* U.S. Gymnastics Championships (2001)
* USA Gymnastics American Cup<ref name="tysonamericancup">{{cite web|url=http://tysonamericancup.com |title=Welcome to tysonamericancup.com! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215134210/http://tysonamericancup.com/ |archive-date=2009-02-15 |url-status=dead |access-date=2014-02-16 }}</ref>
* [[Sugar Ray Leonard]] Boxing
* [[David Reid (boxer)|David Reid]] Boxing
* [[Philadelphia 76ers]] Exhibition Game
* 2017 International [[WFTDA Championships]] ([[roller derby]])<ref>{{cite web|last1=Larrison|first1=Brad|title=Philly hosts women's roller derby championships|url=https://whyy.org/articles/philly-hosts-womens-roller-derby-championships/|publisher=[[WHYY-FM]]|access-date=January 4, 2018|date=November 6, 2017}}</ref>
*[[All Elite Wrestling|AEW]]'s ''[[All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite|Dynamite]]'' (October 16, 2019)
*AEW's ''Dynamite'' Special Episode: 2 Year Anniversary (October 6, 2021)
*AEW's ''Dynamite'' and ''[[AEW Rampage|Rampage]]'' (October 25, 2023)
*[[Ring of Honor|ROH]]'s [[Supercard of Honor (2024)|Supercard of Honor]] (April 5, 2024)
*AEW's [[AEW Dynasty (2025)|Dynasty]] (April 6, 2025)

==See also==
{{Portal|Philadelphia}}
* [[List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.liacourascenter.com/}}

{{Temple University}}
{{Temple Owls men's basketball navbox}}
{{Temple Owls women's basketball navbox}}
{{Big 5}}
{{American Athletic Conference basketball venue navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Liacouras Center}}
[[Category:Temple Owls basketball venues]]
[[Category:Boxing venues in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Indoor soccer venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Gymnastics venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Philadelphia Big 5]]
[[Category:Templetown, Philadelphia]]
[[Category:University and college student recreation centers in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1997]]
[[Category:1997 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Wrestling venues in Pennsylvania]]