Corteva Coliseum
The Corteva Coliseum is a 6,500-seat multi-purpose indoor arena located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, Indiana.[1][2] Originally constructed in 1939 as the Livestock Pavilion through President Franklin D. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration, the facility has served as a venue for livestock exhibitions, sports, and entertainment events.[3][2] It received its current name on November 13, 2024, through a naming rights partnership with Corteva Agriscience, an Indianapolis-based agricultural technology company.[4][5] The arena gained prominence in sports history as the home of the American Basketball Association's Indiana Pacers from 1967 to 1974, during which the team secured three league championships.[3] It has also hosted ice hockey teams, professional wrestling, and exhibitions such as Harlem Globetrotters games, alongside concerts including The Beatles' only Indiana performances in 1964.[2][6] A $53 million renovation in 2012 modernized the venue while preserving its historic architecture, enhancing amenities like locker rooms, video boards, and sound systems.[7] One of the most tragic events associated with the coliseum occurred on October 31, 1963, when a gas explosion during an ice skating show caused a balcony collapse, resulting in 74 deaths and over 400 injuries.[8][9] The disaster, attributed to a leak from a liquid propane tank, led to significant safety reforms in public venues and remains a somber chapter in the arena's legacy.[8][9] Today, the Corteva Coliseum continues to host over 150 events annually, accommodating more than one million visitors for basketball, equestrian shows, and community gatherings.[7][10]