Historic Memorial Coliseum Grand Re-Opening on Saturday

The Grand Re-Opening of the newly-refurbished Historic Memorial Coliseum on the UK campus will take place on Saturday. (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky community is invited to the Grand Re-Opening of Historic Memorial Coliseum on the University of Kentucky campus Saturday, April 26.  

An outdoor community event, presented by Kroger, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, featuring food trucks, local vendors, activities and a display of military vehicles to honor the facility’s namesake.  

A historical marker honoring legendary UK basketball coach Adolph Rupp – who led the Wildcats in Historic Memorial Coliseum from its opening 1950 until his retirement in 1972 – stands outside the facility on Avenue of Champions.  (Photo by Jamie H. Vaught)

The formal Grand Re-Opening event inside Historic Memorial Coliseum will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Doors will open at noon and tickets are free, but must be claimed while supplies last.   All tickets are general admission and available now via My UK Account.   

The re-opening ceremony will feature distinguished speakers from the University of Kentucky, special military guests, the Governor’s Office, the Kentucky General Assembly, a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and include performances from the 202nd Army Band of the Kentucky National Guard.   Avenue of Champions will be closed to traffic from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Community Fair.  

Free parking will be available in the lots and garages surrounding HMC, including Cornerstone Garage (Parking Structure No. 5), and in the Alumni Center, Career Center, Linden Walk and Student Center lots.  A free shuttle will run from Cornerstone Garage (PS5). Attendees can access the shuttle after walking across the skybridge from PS#5. The skybridge is accessible from the third level of the parking structure. The pickup/drop off location is to the left of the skybridge at a crosswalk.  UK Athletics Clear Bag Policy will be in effect.  

The Kentucky Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics and STUNT Teams thrived in HMC throughout the 2024-25 season with the Women’s Basketball and Volleyball teams earning the honor to host NCAA Tournament games in the facility. In addition, STUNT played host to, and won, the Mid America West Conference Tournament. 

Partners participating in the Community Fair event include AT&T, Coca-Cola, Critchfield Meats Family Market, Drake’s, Huck’s Market, Kroger, Playa Bowls, Taylor Belle’s, Thoroughbred Engineering Firm, UK HealthCare, and White, Greer & Maggard Orthodontics.  

About Historic Memorial Coliseum  

Situated along Euclid Avenue on the University of Kentucky campus, Memorial Coliseum was completed in 1950 at a cost of approximately $4 million.

— In 1990, a $1 million renovation project added a state-of-the-art weight training facility, new basketball and athletics administration offices, players’ lounges, and a team meeting room. As a result of the renovation, the seating capacity was reduced from 11,500 to 8,500.

— The building also houses UK’s Center for Academic and Tutorial Services (CATS), a $2.4 million facility which opened in 1998.

— Further enhancements were made to the Coliseum when a new video board and scoreboard were installed in 2007 and a sound system was added in 2008.

— Historic Memorial Coliseum continues to pay tribute to and honor more than 9,000 servicemen and women who died in World War II and also honors those who have fallen in the Korean War, Vietnam War and subsequent military service. The renovation project includes an outdoor memorial on Euclid Avenue and interactive display inside the main entrance. The World War II figure includes 344 University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff who died in the war; among those 344 were 25 student-athletes from the sports of baseball, basketball, boxing, fencing, football, golf, swimming & diving, tennis and track & field.

—  2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the facility opening in 1950.  

— The $82 million Memorial Coliseum renovation project constitutes the biggest investment in women’s sports facilities in school history. The project ensures the Kentucky Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, Gymnastics and STUNT Teams call home a state-of-the-art facility that honors Kentucky’s historic past. The Kentucky Men’s Basketball team played in the arena from 1950-1976.

—  A historical marker honoring legendary basketball coach Adolph Rupp – who led the Wildcats in Historic Memorial Coliseum from its opening 1950 until his retirement in 1972 – stands outside the facility on Avenue of Champions.