The arena opened on December 2, 1996, when the 49ers men's basketball team defeated
Appalachian State in a non-conference game. It was the fourth primary home court for the 49ers since they joined the
NCAA's Division I in 1970; previously the 49ers played at the on-campus
Belk Gymnasium, or "The Mine Shaft" (1970–76),
Bojangles' Coliseum (1976–88, 1993–96), and the
Charlotte Coliseum (1988–93). Even after the men's basketball team began playing its home games off campus, the women's basketball and volleyball teams remained at Belk Gym. Halton Arena has undergone several upgrades over the past several years. In 2002 the
Miltimore-Wallis Athletics Training and Academics Center was opened providing a new weight room, The Charles Hayward Memorial Practice Court, Video Communications Center, new Media Relations Office and new coaches' offices for men and women's basketball and volleyball. In 2006, a new high-resolution video screen was added to the hanging scoreboard in the center of the arena. In 2008, the arena purchased the LED court-side displays/tables used at the
2008 Final Four from the NCAA and installed them for use at athletic events. The base of the clock tower contains the ticket office and ticket booths. The 2nd floor holds offices for athletics' marketing, game and facilities operations, and media relations departments. The 2nd floor clock tower and tower access hall hold the administration offices for Venue Management. The 3rd floor houses the athletic department administration offices and meeting spaces. The 3rd floor clock tower and tower access hall hold the offices for the athletic foundation. In 2016, a new $900,000 scoreboard was installed at the area, replacing the previous board. Halton Arena was the location for the 2005
Conference USA women's basketball tournament and the 2009
Atlantic 10 women's basketball tournament, as well as the 2007 Atlantic 10 volleyball tournament. ==Statues==