Colonial Life Arena

Colonial Life Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in Columbia, South Carolina, and is home to the University of South Carolina men's and women's South Carolina Gamecocks basketball teams. The arena has hosted various events, including concerts by Elton John, Billy Joel, and Kenny Chesney, as well as NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship games. It has also been the site of ESPN-televised events, featuring teams like the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball and North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball. The arena is named after Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, a Columbia, South Carolina-based insurance company that purchased the naming rights.

● History

The arena was built as part of a larger effort to revitalize the Columbia, South Carolina downtown area, with support from University of South Carolina president Andrew Sorensen and Columbia, South Carolina mayor Bob Coble. The project was also backed by South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges and South Carolina State Senate president John Drummond. The arena has hosted numerous high-profile events, including concerts by Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Bruno Mars, as well as WWE events featuring John Cena and The Rock. It has also been the site of SEC Men's Basketball Tournament games, featuring teams like the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball and Florida Gators men's basketball. The arena has been managed by Global Spectrum, a subsidiary of Comcast Spectacor, which also manages venues like the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

● Design and Construction

The arena was designed by LMN Architects, a Seattle, Washington-based firm that has also designed venues like the Xfinity Arena at Everett in Everett, Washington and the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The construction of the arena was managed by Barton Malow, a Southfield, Michigan-based construction company that has also worked on projects like the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. The arena features a unique design, with a Columbia, South Carolina-inspired façade and a state-of-the-art sound system designed by JBL Professional, a subsidiary of Harman International. The arena's construction was also supported by South Carolina State House representatives like James Clyburn and Joe Wilson.

● Events and Tenants

The arena is home to the University of South Carolina men's and women's basketball teams, which compete in the Southeastern Conference against teams like the Tennessee Volunteers basketball and Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball. The arena has also hosted various other events, including concerts by The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, and Adele, as well as Mixed martial arts events featuring UFC fighters like Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor. The arena has been the site of ESPN-televised events, featuring teams like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball and Louisville Cardinals men's basketball. The arena has also hosted events like the Miss South Carolina pageant, which is affiliated with the Miss America organization.

● Seating and Facilities

The arena features a seating capacity of over 18,000, with a variety of seating options, including club seats and suites. The arena also features a state-of-the-art sound system, as well as a video scoreboard designed by Daktronics, a Brookings, South Dakota-based company that has also worked on projects like the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and the Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The arena's facilities are managed by Aramark, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company that also manages venues like the Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The arena has also been recognized for its sustainability efforts, earning a LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

● Location and Transportation

The arena is located in the heart of Columbia, South Carolina, within walking distance of University of South Carolina campus and South Carolina State House. The arena is also accessible by car, with several parking options available, including the Discovery Place parking garage and the Columbia Place parking lot. The arena is served by The Comet, a Columbia, South Carolina-based public transportation system that also connects to Columbia Metropolitan Airport. The arena is also within driving distance of Charlotte, North Carolina and Charleston, South Carolina, making it a popular destination for events in the Southeastern United States. The arena has been supported by local businesses like The State newspaper and WIS (TV), a Columbia, South Carolina-based NBC affiliate. Category:Indoor arenas in the United States