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Legacy Arena

About

Legacy Arena is one of the iconic multi-purpose venues located in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. As a key element of the large Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), this arena serves as a hub for major sporting competitions and spectacular concert shows, holding an important place in the city's cultural and entertainment life.

Legacy Arena. Illustration.
Source: Kupi.com AI

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The arena has a characteristic oval shape, and its floor area covers an impressive 22,400 square feet (approximately 2,081 square meters), allowing the space to be flexibly adapted for various event formats. For sporting events, it features 15,030 permanent seats, while for concerts, Legacy Arena can accommodate up to 19,000 people, making it an ideal choice for both national championships and performances by global stars.

The arena's interior is impressive in its size: the floor area is approximately 110 by 220 feet (33.5 by 67 meters), and the ceiling height reaches about 75 feet (23 meters), creating a sense of space and grandeur. Technical equipment includes a modern four-sided scoreboard from Daktronics, with each side measuring approximately 18 by 18 feet (5.5 by 5.5 meters), as well as ProStar video displays. These elements ensure an excellent view of the action from any point and enhance the spectator experience, making every visit to Legacy Arena unforgettable.

Contacts

For the latest information on events, ticket purchases, or other questions regarding your visit to Legacy Arena, it is recommended to visit the official arena website or check contact details through local information resources in Birmingham. Typically, these resources provide box office phone numbers, email addresses for inquiries, and other useful information.

How to contactContact
Address1898 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, USA
Websitewww.bjcc.org

What to Do

Legacy Arena in Birmingham is a modern multi-purpose venue where everyone will find entertainment to their liking. Visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of grand concerts by world stars, feel the excitement of sports competitions, or enjoy colorful family shows. The arena regularly hosts popular performances such as Disney on Ice and the famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus, making it a wonderful place for a family outing.

Sports events hold a special place on the Legacy Arena schedule. Basketball fans can cheer for the local Birmingham Squadron team, which plays in the NBA G League and has held its home games here since the 2021-22 season following the arena's extensive modernization. In the past, the venue has also hosted several first and second-round games of NCAA basketball tournaments, drawing thousands of fans.

Beyond sports battles and family shows, Legacy Arena is famous for its concerts. Artists from various genres perform here, attracting music lovers from all over the region. For example, following its recent renovation, the first major event was a concert by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, setting a high bar for subsequent events. Additionally, the arena often serves as a venue for various trade shows and conventions, offering visitors a chance to see the latest innovations in various fields.

Getting There

Legacy Arena is located in Birmingham, USA. You can get there in several ways, depending on your convenience and starting point. Generally, large multi-functional complexes like this are well-integrated into the city's transport system.

One option is to use public transportation. In Birmingham, there are likely bus routes that stop near Legacy Arena or within walking distance. It is recommended to study local public transport maps and current schedules in advance to plan your route. This information can often be found on official city or transport company websites.

For those who value comfort and prefer a faster trip, taxis or ride-sharing services are a convenient option. A trip from downtown Birmingham or major transport hubs to Legacy Arena usually doesn't take much time, though you should account for potential traffic, especially during peak hours or during major events.

If you plan to arrive by private or rental car, it's worth checking parking options around Legacy Arena in advance. There are often parking zones near such facilities, but spaces may be limited on popular event days, so it's best to arrive early.

Nearest city: Birmingham

History & Facts

Legacy Arena, located in Birmingham, Alabama, opened its doors in 1976 as part of the large Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC). It was originally named the BJCC Coliseum. The first major event to grace the arena was a concert by the famous American country singer John Denver, held on September 28, 1976. This event marked the beginning of the arena's rich history as a venue for diverse events.

The arena's sports history is also full of highlights. From 1976 to 1979, it served as the home ice for the Birmingham Bulls hockey team, which played in the World Hockey Association (WHA). Notably, it was here in December 1977 that legendary hockey player Gordie Howe, playing for the New England Whalers, scored his 1,000th career goal at the age of 49. After the WHA folded, a minor league team of the same name continued to thrill fans at this arena until the 2001-2002 season. The arena was also home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) basketball team until they moved to Bartow Arena in 1988, and the arena football team Alabama Steeldogs from 2000 to 2007.

A major milestone in the arena's history was the change of its name. On December 17, 2014, a five-year naming rights deal with Legacy Credit Union worth $2 million was announced. Since January 1, 2015, the arena has been officially known as Legacy Arena at the BJCC. This event marked a new chapter in the life of the complex.

To meet modern standards and continue attracting world-class events, Legacy Arena underwent a massive $123 million modernization in 2020-2021. The renovation included the installation of 15,000 new comfortable seats, a state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, as well as updated club levels, spectator and artist suites, locker rooms, and concession stands. These improvements allowed the arena to confirm its status as one of the leading venues for sporting competitions, concerts, and other major events in the southeastern USA.

Time Needed

The amount of time you spend at Legacy Arena in Birmingham entirely depends on the purpose of your visit. As it is a multi-purpose arena, most of the time spent here is during concerts, sports matches, exhibitions, or other mass events.

If you are attending a specific event, such as a concert or a hockey game, plan to spend at least 2-3 hours. This time includes not only the event itself but also entering the arena, finding your seat, and leaving afterward. Major concerts or festivals can last 4-5 hours or even longer. If you simply want to see the arena from the outside or, if possible, take a quick peek inside during non-event times (which is rare for such facilities), it will take no more than 30-60 minutes.

Thus, for a full Legacy Arena experience related to an event, you should allocate anywhere from a few hours to half a day. We recommend checking the event schedule and estimated duration in advance to plan your time accordingly.

Working Hours

Legacy Arena in Birmingham is a venue for various events, so its working hours depend directly on the schedule of concerts, sports matches, and other events. The arena does not have standard daily visiting hours for tourists like a museum or a park. To find out the start time of a specific event and ticket availability, it is recommended to visit the official Legacy Arena website or contact the box office.

Tickets for popular events often sell out in advance, so it is highly recommended to purchase them early online or through authorized sales points. Information regarding operational seasonality or special access hours is best checked on official resources, as it may change depending on the event schedule.

Nearby

A visit to Legacy Arena in Birmingham is undoubtedly an exciting event, whether it's for a concert by your favorite artist or a thrilling sports match. However, to make your trip even more fulfilling and memorable, it's worth taking the time to explore the surroundings. There are many interesting places near the arena that allow you to delve deeper into the culture, history, and atmosphere of this American city.

A stroll through the nearby blocks may reveal unexpected corners, cozy cafes, or significant landmarks that will complement your impressions of the main event. This is a great opportunity to expand your tourist itinerary and see more than just the walls of a concert hall or stadium.

NameDistance
Birmingham Museum of Art0.3 km
The Roof0.8 km
16th Street Baptist Church0.8 km
Kelly Ingram Park0.8 km
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute0.9 km
Jim Reed Books / Museum of Fond Memories1 km
McWane Science Center1.1 km

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