Kohl Center

Kohl Center is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison and serves as the primary home for several Wisconsin Badgers athletic teams. Opened in 1998, the facility is named for former United States Senator Herb Kohl, whose significant donation was instrumental in its construction. It replaced the Dane County Coliseum and the UW Field House as the main venue for NCAA Division I basketball and hockey, establishing itself as a central hub for university and community events in the state capital.

History

Planning for a new arena began in the early 1990s to consolidate athletic programs and provide a modern venue for the growing University of Wisconsin–Madison. The project received a major boost in 1995 with a $25 million gift from alumnus and sitting U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, for whom the building was subsequently named. Construction, managed by the firm J.H. Findorff & Son, broke ground in 1996 on the site of the former UW heating plant near Lake Mendota. The arena officially opened on January 17, 1998, with a Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball game against the Northwestern Wildcats, marking a new era for Badger athletics. Its development was part of a broader campus initiative that included the adjacent UW Nicholas Recreation Center.

Architecture and features

Designed by the renowned architectural firm HOK Sport (now Populous), the exterior utilizes a distinctive red brick and precast concrete façade that complements the traditional Collegiate Gothic style of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The interior is configured as a bowl, with steep upper decks creating an intimate and loud atmosphere, often cited as a formidable home-court advantage. A key design feature is the convertible seating system, allowing for rapid reconfiguration between basketball, with a capacity of 17,287, and hockey, with a capacity of 15,359. The facility houses extensive training facilities for athletes, premium seating areas including suites and club seats, and the UW Badgers Hall of Honor.

Events

Beyond NCAA athletics, the venue hosts a wide array of major events, drawing large crowds to Madison, Wisconsin. It has been a frequent site for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, including first and second-round games of the NCAA Tournament. The arena is a premier concert venue, having featured performances by major artists such as Elton John, Paul McCartney, and Taylor Swift. It also hosts large-scale university ceremonies like commencement for the University of Wisconsin–Madison, family shows like the Harlem Globetrotters, and political rallies, including visits by presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.

University of Wisconsin athletic programs

The arena is the dedicated home for four primary Wisconsin Badgers teams: Wisconsin Badgers men's basketball, Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball, Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey, and Wisconsin Badgers women's ice hockey. The men's basketball team, under coaches like Bo Ryan and Greg Gard, has enjoyed sustained success, including multiple Big Ten Conference championships and trips to the Final Four. The men's hockey program, led by legendary coach Bob Johnson and later Mike Eaves, has won multiple NCAA national championships. The building's intense environment, often referred to as the "Madison Madhouse," is considered one of the toughest venues for visiting teams in both the Big Ten Conference and National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Management and operations

The facility is owned and operated by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, specifically under the jurisdiction of the UW Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Day-to-day management, event booking, and maintenance are handled by the university's athletic department staff. Financing for operations and capital improvements comes from a combination of ticket revenue, concessions, licensing agreements, private donations, and student fees. The arena plays a significant economic role for the local community, with events supporting businesses in the State Street and Capitol Square districts.