State Farm Center

State Farm Center. It is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Illinois Urb-Champaign in Champaign, Illinois. Primarily serving as the home venue for the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball and Illinois Fighting Illini women's basketball teams, the facility has been a landmark of Big Ten Conference athletics since its opening. Designed by renowned architect Max Abramovitz, its distinctive domed structure has hosted a wide array of major sporting events, concerts, and political gatherings over six decades.

History

The arena was conceived in the late 1950s as part of a campus expansion, with groundbreaking occurring in 1960. It opened in 1963 as Assembly Hall, immediately becoming the new home for Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball after they moved from the Huff Hall. The building's innovative design was celebrated, and it quickly gained a reputation as one of the most intimidating home courts in the NCAA Division I. A major, comprehensive renovation began in 2014, led by design firm AECOM and contractor Turner Construction, which modernized the interior while preserving the iconic exterior shell. This project updated amenities, added premium seating, and improved accessibility, ensuring the venue's viability for the 21st century.

Architecture and features

The original architectural design by Max Abramovitz of the firm Harrison & Abramovitz featured a pioneering thin-shell concrete dome, engineered by Severud Associates, which remains its most defining characteristic. This self-supporting dome, with a diameter of 400 feet, was at the time of its construction one of the largest edge-supported structures in the world. The 2016 renovation, while adding modern concourses and luxury suites, meticulously preserved this historic exterior. Key interior features include a center-hung scoreboard, the "Orange Krush" student section, and numerous displays honoring Illinois Fighting Illini greats like Deron Williams and Dee Brown.

Events

Beyond University of Illinois basketball, the venue has a rich history of hosting significant events. It was a frequent site for NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament games, including 1973 and 1985 tournament rounds. It has welcomed major concert tours by artists such as Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and Garth Brooks. The arena has also been used for political rallies, including a notable 1988 campaign stop by then-Vice President George H. W. Bush, and has hosted events like the IHSA state wrestling finals and commencements for the University of Illinois.

Renaming and sponsorship

The facility was known as Assembly Hall for its first fifty years. In 2013, the University of Illinois entered into a landmark naming rights agreement with State Farm, the Bloomington-based insurance giant. This corporate sponsorship deal, reportedly worth $60 million over 30 years, provided crucial funding for the impending renovation project. The official renaming to State Farm Center took effect in 2013, prior to the renovation's start, aligning with similar sponsorship arrangements at venues like Carrier Dome at Syracuse University.

In popular culture

The arena's unique silhouette has made it a recognizable backdrop in film and television. It was prominently featured in the 1986 comedy film *The Best of Times*, starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell, which depicted a fictional championship football game filmed inside. Its imposing atmosphere for visiting teams has been chronicled in sports documentaries and by networks like ESPN during broadcasts of Big Ten Conference games. The venue's visual distinctiveness ensures it remains an iconic part of the landscape in Champaign, Illinois.

Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Category:NCAA Division I basketball venues Category:Buildings and structures in Champaign, Illinois Category:Indoor arenas in Illinois Category:Sports venues completed in 1963