# Legacy Arena

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Arena in Birmingham, Alabama

Legacy Arena Legacy Arena Location within Alabama Show map of Alabama Legacy Arena Location within the United States Show map of the United States Former names BJCC Coliseum (1976–99) BJCC Arena (1999–2014) Address 2100 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd N. Location Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. Coordinates 33°31′26″N 86°48′47″W / 33.523780°N 86.812935°W / 33.523780; -86.812935 Owner Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority Operator Comcast Spectra Capacity Concerts: 18,000 Sporting Events: 17,654 Theater seating: 8,000 Construction Opened September 28, 1976 Renovated 2020–21 Tenants Birmingham Bulls (WHA) (1976–79) UAB Blazers men's basketball (NCAA) (1978–88) Birmingham South Stars (CHL) (1982–83) Birmingham Bulls (ECHL) (1992–2001) Birmingham/Alabama Steeldogs (af2) (2000–07) Birmingham Squadron (NBAGL) (2021–26)

**Legacy Arena** (formerly known as the **BJCC Coliseum** and the **BJCC Arena**) is an arena located at the [Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex](/source/Birmingham%E2%80%93Jefferson_Convention_Complex) in [Birmingham, Alabama](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama). The arena seats 17,654 for sporting events, up to 16,250 for [concerts](/source/Concert) and 6,000 in a cut-down theater configuration.

## Arena information

The arena stands ten stories tall, but it actually measures only 75 feet (23 m) from floor to ceiling and contains an oval-shaped 24,200-square-foot (2,244.5 m2) (110' by 220' (33.5 x 67 m)) arena floor. The arena contains several luxury suites and a press box. The BJCC Arena Club is also located in the arena. It is a lounge that is limited to 500 guests and available for most arena events.[1] Backstage there are 2 locker rooms and 6 dressing rooms as well as a press room and a VIP Reception area. The arena can accommodate 8 trucks backstage—3 on truck docks and room for 5 more. The arena's four-sided center-hung scoreboard, designed by [Daktronics](/source/Daktronics), measures 18' by 18' (5.5 x 5.5 m) on each side. Also on each side is a 7.5'-by-8'8" ProStar 16.5 mm video display.

## History

The arena opened in 1976 as part of the Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex.

The arena was home of the [Birmingham Bulls](/source/Birmingham_Bulls_(WHA)) of the [WHA](/source/World_Hockey_Association) from 1976 to 1979; when the WHA folded, a minor league team with the same name called the arena home through 2001.[2] It was there in December 1977 that hockey legend [Gordie Howe](/source/Gordie_Howe), then playing for the WHA's [New England Whalers](/source/New_England_Whalers), scored his 1,000th career goal at the age of 49; his Whalers defeated the Bulls 6–3.[2] The arena was also the home of the [UAB](/source/University_of_Alabama_at_Birmingham) [men's basketball team](/source/UAB_Blazers_men's_basketball) before it moved into [Bartow Arena](/source/Bartow_Arena) in 1988 and was home to the [Alabama Steeldogs](/source/Alabama_Steeldogs) [arena football](/source/Arena_football) team of the [af2](/source/AF2) from 2000 to 2007.[3][4]

On December 17, 2014, the Civic Center board and officials of Legacy Credit Union announced a five-year, $2 million naming rights contract. Beginning January 1, 2015 the arena was officially renamed as Legacy Arena at the BJCC.[5]

On October 24, 2018, the [New Orleans Pelicans](/source/New_Orleans_Pelicans) and the [NBA G League](/source/NBA_G_League) announced that the Pelicans have acquired the right to own and operate an NBA G League team in Birmingham, Alabama.[6] The team was expected to begin play in Birmingham by the 2022–23 basketball season playing at Legacy Arena following renovations to the arena.[7][8] In the interim, the team began play for the 2018–19 season in Erie, Pennsylvania, as the Erie BayHawks, while the arena underwent a $123 million expansion and renovation.[6][7] The renovations were completed in time for the 2021–22 season and the Pelicans chose to move the franchise, now known as the [Birmingham Squadron](/source/Birmingham_Squadron), at that time.

## Notable events

### Sports

#### Basketball

The 2023 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Legacy Arena

Legacy Arena has held many regular season men's and women's [college basketball](/source/College_basketball) games as well as 11 [NBA](/source/National_Basketball_Association) pre-season games. It has hosted the men's conference tournaments for the [Southeastern Conference](/source/Southeastern_Conference), [Sun Belt Conference](/source/Sun_Belt_Conference), [Conference USA](/source/Conference_USA), and [American Conference](/source/American_Conference_(NCAA)) as well as the women's tournament for Conference USA and the American Conference.[9][10] It has also hosted the [NCAA men's college basketball tournament](/source/NCAA_Men's_Division_I_Basketball_Championship) serving as first and second round host in 1984, 1987, 2000, 2003, 2008, and 2023 and as a regional site in 1982, 1985, 1988, 1995 and 1997. It was selected as a first and second round site for the 2028 men's tournament.[11] Legacy Arena hosted the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight for the [2025 NCAA women's college basketball tournament](/source/2025_NCAA_Division_I_women's_basketball_tournament). It also serves as the host for the [Alabama High School Athletic Association](/source/Alabama_High_School_Athletic_Association) basketball state finals each year.

#### Men's College Basketball conference tournaments at Legacy Arena

Year Conference Champion Score Runner-up MVP 1979 SEC Tennessee 75–69OT Kentucky Kyle Macy, Kentucky 1980 LSU 80–78 Kentucky DeWayne Scales, LSU 1981 Ole Miss 66–62 Georgia Dominique Wilkins, Georgia 1982 Sun Belt UAB 94–83 VCU Oliver Robinson, UAB 1983 UAB 64–47 South Florida Cliff Pruitt, UAB SEC Georgia 86–71 Alabama Vern Fleming, Georgia 1984 Sun Belt UAB 62–60 Old Dominion McKinley Singleton, UAB 1985 SEC Auburn 53–49OT Alabama Chuck Person, Auburn 1986 Sun Belt Jacksonville 70–69 UAB Otis Smith, Jacksonville 1990 South Florida 81–74 UNC Charlotte Radenko Dobraš, South Florida 1992 SEC Kentucky 80–54 Alabama Jamal Mashburn, Kentucky 1999 C-USA UNC Charlotte 68–59 Louisville Galen Young, UNC Charlotte 2015 UAB 73–60 Middle Tennessee Robert Brown, UAB 2016 Middle Tennessee 55–53 Old Dominion Reggie Upshaw, Middle Tennessee 2017 Middle Tennessee 83–72 Marshall Giddy Potts, Middle Tennessee 2026 American South Florida 70–55 Wichita State Wes Enis, South Florida

#### Women's College Basketball conference tournaments at Legacy Arena

Year Conference Champion Score Runner-up MVP 2015 C-USA Western Kentucky 60–57 Southern Miss Alexis Govan, Western Kentucky 2016 Middle Tennessee 70–54 Old Dominion Ty Petty, Middle Tennessee 2017 Western Kentucky 67–56 Southern Miss Kendall Noble, Western Kentucky 2026 American UTSA 54–40 Rice Cheyenne Rowe, UTSA

#### Tennis

Interior of the arena during the 2009 Davis Cup

In 2009, the arena hosted the first round tie of the [2009 Davis Cup](/source/2009_Davis_Cup) between the United States and Switzerland.[12] Several tennis stars participated including [Andy Roddick](/source/Andy_Roddick), [James Blake](/source/James_Blake_(tennis)), [Bob and Mike Bryan](/source/Bryan_brothers) and [Stanislas Wawrinka](/source/Stan_Wawrinka). The arena also hosted the [2017 Davis Cup](/source/2017_Davis_Cup) on February 3–5, 2017.[12]

#### The World Games

Birmingham was the host city for the [World Games 2022](/source/2022_World_Games), with many events taking place in venues around the city. Legacy Arena hosted the Latin, standard, and rock'n'roll [dancesport](/source/Dancesport) competitions as well as the aerobatic, acrobatic, rhythmic, trampoline and tumbling [gymnastics](/source/Gymnastics) competitions.[13]

#### Professional wrestling

Legacy Arena has hosted professional wrestling events for several decades, with regular appearances from promotions including the [WWE](/source/WWE).

On December 10, 2000, the arena hosted [Armageddon (2000)](/source/Armageddon_(2000)), a pay-per-view event notable for featuring a six-man Hell in a Cell match for the WWF Championship.[14] The event drew approximately 14,920 attendees.[15]

## See also

- [Birmingham–Jefferson Convention Complex](/source/Birmingham%E2%80%93Jefferson_Convention_Complex)

- [2025 SEC Gymnastics Championship](/source/2025_SEC_Gymnastics_Championship)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Arena Club"](https://www.bjcc.org/arena-club.php). bjcc.org. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Birmingham_WHA_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Birmingham_WHA_2-1) [""When hockey was big in Birmingham, Gordie Howe made it huge""](http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/06/when_hockey_was_big_in_birming.html). *[The Birmingham News](/source/The_Birmingham_News)*. June 10, 2016. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160925032313/http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/06/when_hockey_was_big_in_birming.html) from the original on September 25, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["UAB Men's Basketball Media Guide, BJCC Coliseum-Bartow Arena"](https://issuu.com/uabsports/docs/guide2014-15). issuu.com. April 1, 2019. p. 50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Team and League History"](https://www.birminghamprosports.com/birminghamsteeldogshistory.html). birminghamprosports.com. April 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["BJCC Arena sells naming rights in 5-year, $2 million deal with Legacy Community Federal Credit Union"](http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/12/two_million_dollar_deal_will_b.html). *AL.com*. December 18, 2014. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141218061118/http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/12/two_million_dollar_deal_will_b.html) from the original on December 18, 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Birmingham_G_League_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Birmingham_G_League_6-1) ["New Orleans Pelicans purchase NBA G League Team to play in renovated Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama"](https://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/new-orleans-pelicans-purchase-nba-g-league-team-play-renovated-legacy-arena-birmingham-alabama). *nba.com*. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Arena_Renovation_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Arena_Renovation_7-1) ["BJCC shares details of $123M Legacy Arena expansion and renovation"](https://alabamanewscenter.com/2018/11/02/bjcc-shares-details-123m-legacy-arena-expansion-renovation/). alabamanewscenter.com. November 2, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Pelicans to operate G League team in Birmingham, Alabama"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2018/10/24/pelicans-to-operate-g-league-team-in-birmingham-alabama/38265691/). usatoday.com. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["C-USA Basketball Championships to Return to Birmingham"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210206/http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061215aac.html). Archived from [the original](https://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/061215aac.html) on September 23, 2015. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Birmingham, Tampa Selected As Host Cities For 2026-28 Basketball Championships"](https://theamerican.org/news/2025/5/30/mens-basketball-birmingham-tampa-selected-as-host-cities-for-2026-28-basketball-championships.aspx). *theamerican.org*. April 2, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["SEC to host 2028 NCAA Men's Basketball opening rounds"](https://www.secsports.com/news/2024/10/sec-to-host-2028-ncaa-mens-basketball-first-second-rounds-in-birmingham). *Southeastern Conference*. Retrieved April 10, 2025.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Davis_Cup_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Davis_Cup_12-1) ["Davis Cup tennis event announced for Birmingham in February"](https://www.al.com/sports/2016/11/davis_cup_tennis_event_announc.html). al.com. November 18, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex"](https://twg2022.com/venues/bjcc/). *The World Games 2022 | Birmingham, USA*. Retrieved April 25, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Armageddon 2000 Results"](https://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/2000/results). *WWE.com*. Retrieved June 16, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["WWF Armageddon 2000"](https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=2185). *CageMatch.net*. Retrieved June 16, 2025.

## External links

- [Official website](https://www.bjcc.org/)

v t e Former arenas in the World Hockey Association Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Baltimore Civic Center Boston Arena Boston Garden Stampede Corral Cherry Hill Arena Cleveland Arena Cobo Arena Eastern States Coliseum Edmonton Coliseum Edmonton Gardens Hartford Civic Center International Amphitheatre Birmingham–Jefferson Civic Center Colisée de Québec Long Beach Arena Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena Madison Square Garden Maple Leaf Gardens Market Square Arena McNichols Sports Arena Randhurst Ice Arena Ottawa Civic Centre Pacific Coliseum Philadelphia Civic Center Richfield Coliseum Riverfront Coliseum Saint Paul Auditorium St. Paul Civic Center Sam Houston Coliseum San Diego Sports Arena Springfield Civic Center The Summit Varsity Arena Winnipeg Arena

v t e NBA G League arenas Eastern Conference CareFirst Arena (Washington, DC) Chase Fieldhouse (Wilmington, DE) Gateway Center Arena (College Park, GA) Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale, NY) Novant Health Fieldhouse at the Greensboro Complex (Greensboro, NC) Now Arena (Hoffman Estates, IL) Oshkosh Arena (Oshkosh, WI) Paramount Fine Foods Centre (Mississauga, ON) Pontchartrain Center (Kenner, LA) Portland Exposition Building (Portland, ME) Public Auditorium (Cleveland, OH) Riverview Health Arena at Innovation Mile (Noblesville, IN) Silver Spurs Arena (Kissimmee, FL) Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids, MI) Wayne State Fieldhouse (Detroit, MI) Westchester County Center (White Plains, NY) Western Conference Acrisure Arena (Thousand Palms, CA) Adventist Health Arena (Stockton, CA) Bert Ogden Arena (Edinburg, TX) Casey's Center (Des Moines, IA) Chiles Center (Portland, OR) Comerica Center (Frisco, TX) Frontwave Arena (Oceanside, CA) H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (Cedar Park, TX) Kaiser Permanente Arena (Santa Cruz, CA) Landers Center (Southaven, MS) Maverik Center (West Valley City, UT) Mexico City Arena (Mexico City, CDMX) Mullett Arena (Tempe, AZ) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, OK) Sanford Pentagon (Sioux Falls, SD)

v t e UAB Blazers men's basketball Venues BJCC Coliseum (1978–1988) Bartow Arena (1988–present) Rivalries Auburn Memphis Culture & lore Blaze People Head coaches Statistical leaders Seasons List of seasons 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Legacy Arena](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Arena) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legacy_Arena?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.