During the 1980s, Temple basketball coach
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. The state of Pennsylvania awarded Temple $31.1 million in October 1992, despite disagreements between Chaney and then-City Council president
John Street. The project was approved in 1995, with a January 25, 1996 groundbreaking. Two nationally recognized architectural firms designed the building: Vitetta Group of Philadelphia, and
Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates of Atlanta. The venue opened in the 1997–98 season. The first game played was a 76–61 Temple win over
Fresno State. The venue was originally named The Forum at The Apollo of Temple. The name changed to the Liacouras Center just prior to Liacouras' retirement on February 13, 2000. The Liacouras Center is managed by
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 men's basketball, along with some women's games. As of the end of the
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. The fourth building in the complex is a 1,200-space parking garage. ==Use beyond basketball==