Legacy Arena

The arena stands ten stories tall, but it actually measures only 75 feet (23 m) from floor to ceiling and contains an oval-shaped 24,200-square-foot (2,244.5 m2) (110' by 220' (33.5 x 67 m)) arena floor. The arena contains several luxury suites and a press box. The BJCC Arena Club is also located in the arena. It is a lounge that is limited to 500 guests and available for most arena events. Backstage there are 2 locker rooms and 6 dressing rooms as well as a press room and a VIP Reception area. The arena can accommodate 8 trucks backstage—3 on truck docks and room for 5 more. The arena's four-sided center-hung scoreboard, designed by Daktronics, measures 18' by 18' (5.5 x 5.5 m) on each side. Also on each side is a 7.5'-by-8'8" ProStar 16.5 mm video display. ==History==

The arena opened in 1976 as part of the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex. The arena was home of the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA from 1976 to 1979; when the WHA folded, a minor league team with the same name called the arena home through 2001. It was there in December 1977 that hockey legend Gordie Howe, then playing for the WHA's New England Whalers, scored his 1,000th career goal at the age of 49; his Whalers defeated the Bulls 6–3. On December 17, 2014, the Civic Center board and officials of Legacy Credit Union announced a five-year, $2 million naming rights contract. Beginning January 1, 2015 the arena was officially renamed as Legacy Arena at the BJCC. On October 24, 2018, the New Orleans Pelicans and the NBA G League announced that the Pelicans have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team in Birmingham, Alabama. The team was expected to begin play in Birmingham by the 2022–23 basketball season playing at Legacy Arena following renovations to the arena. In the interim, the team began play for the 2018–19 season in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Erie BayHawks, while the arena underwent a $123 million expansion and renovation. The renovations were completed in time for the 2021–22 season and the Pelicans chose to move the franchise, now known as the Birmingham Squadron, at that time. ==Notable events==

Sports Basketball Legacy Arena has held many regular season men's and women's college basketball games as well as 11 NBA pre-season games. It has hosted the men's conference tournaments for the Southeastern Conference, Sun Belt Conference, Conference USA, and American Conference as well as the women's tournament for Conference USA and the American Conference. It has also hosted the NCAA men's college basketball tournament serving as first and second round host in 1984, 1987, 2000, 2003, 2008, and 2023 and as a regional site in 1982, 1985, 1988, 1995 and 1997. It was selected as a first and second round site for the 2028 men's tournament. Legacy Arena hosted the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight for the 2025 NCAA women's college basketball tournament. It also serves as the host for the Alabama High School Athletic Association basketball state finals each year. Men's College Basketball conference tournaments at Legacy Arena Women's College Basketball conference tournaments at Legacy Arena Tennis In 2009, the arena hosted the first round tie of the 2009 Davis Cup between the United States and Switzerland. Several tennis stars participated including Andy Roddick, James Blake, Bob and Mike Bryan and Stanislas Wawrinka. The arena also hosted the 2017 Davis Cup on February 3–5, 2017. Professional wrestling Legacy Arena has hosted professional wrestling events for several decades, with regular appearances from promotions including the WWE. On December 10, 2000, the arena hosted Armageddon (2000), a pay-per-view event notable for featuring a six-man Hell in a Cell match for the WWF Championship. The event drew approximately 14,920 attendees. ==See also==