Wikipedia

Liacouras Center

The Liacouras Center[3] 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 million, four-building complex along 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 City Hall.

The Liacouras Center
"The Apollo", "The Pete"
Map
Former namesThe Apollo of Temple (1997–2000)
Address1776 North Broad Street
LocationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates39°58′47″N 75°9′31″W / 39.97972°N 75.15861°W / 39.97972; -75.15861
Public transit
  Broad Street Line
Metro interchange Cecil B. Moore
Bus transport SEPTA bus: 3, 4, 16
OwnerTemple University
OperatorGlobal Spectrum
Capacity10,206 Basketball
9,000 Ice Hockey[1]
Construction
Broke groundJanuary 25, 1996
OpenedNovember 11, 1997
Construction cost$73 million
ArchitectVitetta Group
Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates
General contractorLF Driscoll[2]
Tenants
Temple Owls (NCAA) (1997–present)
Philly Roller Derby (WFTDA) (2005–present)
Philadelphia KiXX (MISL) (2009–2010)
Website
liacourascenter.com

History

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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.[4] 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.[5] Two nationally recognized architectural firms designed the building: Vitetta Group[6] of Philadelphia, and Thompson Ventulett Stainback & Associates of Atlanta. The 340,000 sq ft (32,000 m2) venue opened in the 1997-98 season.[7] 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.[1]

The Liacouras Center is managed by 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.[8] The fourth building in the complex is a 1,200-space parking garage.

Use beyond basketball

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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

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On October 16, 2019, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) held its third televised professional wrestling event at the Liacouras Center, broadcast on the TNT network in the United States.[9] AEW returned to the Liacouras Center for its two year anniversary show on October 6, 2021.[10]

On April 5, 2024, Ring of Honor (ROH - the sister promotion of AEW), will promote its Supercard of Honor event at the Liacouras Center.

Pandemic era hospital

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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 COVID-19 pandemic and shortages in city hospitals.[11] 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.[12]

Past events

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December 2012
 
February 2010

Music

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Rap - Hip-hop

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Rock - Pop

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R&B

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Country

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Entertainment

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Politics/Government

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The Liacouras Center prior to the filming of AEW Dynamite and Rampage, October 25, 2023

Sports

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Arena Info | The Liacouras Center | The Liacouras Center". www.liacourascenter.com. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  2. ^ "Northstar Fire Protection - Stadiums and Arenas". Nsfire.com. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  3. ^ "Sports and Cultural Events in Downtown Philadelphia". The Liacouras Center. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  4. ^ "Arena turns 10 years old - The Temple News". The Temple News. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  5. ^ "The arena which brought students - The Temple News". The Temple News. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  6. ^ "Architecture Engineering Planning Interior Design". Vitetta. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "Sparse Temple crowds nothing to cheer about". Philly.com. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  8. ^ "Independence Blue Cross Student Rec Center (IBC) | Campus Recreation". campusrecreation.temple.edu. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  9. ^ "AEW announces locations for second & third TV tapings". August 6, 2019.
  10. ^ Barrasso, Justin. "Tony Khan Reflects on Second Anniversary of 'Dynamite'". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  11. ^ Whelan, Aubrey (March 30, 2020). "How Temple's Liacouras Center was transformed into a hospital site amid coronavirus pandemic". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  12. ^ McDaniel, Justine; Verma, Pranshu; McCrystal, Laura (April 30, 2020). "Philly to wind down spare hospital as cases decline; New Jersey allows parks to reopen". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
  13. ^ "Welcome to tysonamericancup.com!". Archived from the original on February 15, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  14. ^ Larrison, Brad (November 6, 2017). "Philly hosts women's roller derby championships". WHYY-FM. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
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