BJCC Celebrates 50 Years of Legacy Arena with Free Community Event

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Legacy Arena on Saturday, July 11, with a free community event honoring five decades of concerts, championship moments, and unforgettable live entertainment. The free community celebration honors one of Birmingham’s most iconic venues with live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and interactive experiences.

“Legacy Arena has always been more than just a venue. It’s where Birmingham comes together,” said Tad Snider, CEO of the BJCC. “For 50 years, it has been at the center of some of the biggest moments in Birmingham’s entertainment and sports history. From legendary concerts and championship events to family shows and community celebrations, the arena continues to welcome fans from across the region. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we look forward to building on that legacy and creating unforgettable experiences for generations to come.”

The celebration will feature:
• A free concert with The Black Jacket Symphony
• Family-friendly activities including face painting and balloon artists
• Arcade-style games celebrating the arena’s sports history
• Opportunities for fans to explore the arena, including complimentary access to premium club spaces typically reserved for special event experiences
• Exclusive live screen-printing experience with anniversary swag provided by Yellowhammer Creative • A first look at newly unveiled art installations and a commemorative mural exploring the 50-year history and cultural impact of Legacy Arena

As part of the evening celebration, The Black Jacket Symphony will take the stage for a special live concert experience honoring five decades of unforgettable music and legendary performances in Birmingham.

The free public concert will celebrate the rich history of Legacy Arena by spotlighting iconic artists who have performed in the venue throughout the last 50 years. During the concert portion of the evening, The Black Jacket Symphony will perform music made famous by some of the biggest names ever to grace the arena stage, spanning generations and genres of popular music.

From rock legends and country icons to pop superstars and soul pioneers, the evening’s setlist will pay tribute to the incredible legacy of live entertainment that has defined Legacy Arena since its opening in 1976.

For more than 17 years, The Black Jacket Symphony has built a national following by recreating classic rock albums note-for-note and sound-for-sound in theaters and performing arts centers across the country. The Birmingham-based group has performed at BJCC Concert Hall more than a dozen times throughout its history, making this upcoming appearance especially meaningful as the band makes its debut performance inside Legacy Arena.

“Legacy Arena has hosted the most iconic concerts in Birmingham history,” said Jason Rogoff, director and producer of The Black Jacket Symphony. “To be part of this celebration — and to perform the music of artists who helped shape the arena’s history — is an incredible honor for our organization. We’ve spent years performing in the BJCC Concert Hall and have attended dozens of shows in the arena, so stepping onto the Legacy Arena stage for the first time as part of its 50th anniversary makes this event even more special.”

Originally opened in 1976, Legacy Arena has hosted the world’s biggest entertainers, championship sporting events, family shows, and community celebrations, serving as a centerpiece of Birmingham’s entertainment and cultural landscape for five decades.
 

About BJCC
The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) is Alabama’s premier sports, convention, and entertainment center. It is home to three exhibition halls and meeting space offering 380,000 square feet for trade shows, consumer shows, exhibitions, and meetings. The BJCC is home to sports and entertainment venues, including a concert hall, stadium and the state’s largest arena. The BJCC campus also includes the Uptown Entertainment District, The Westin Birmingham Hotel and Alabama’s largest hotel, the 497-room Sheraton Birmingham. The BJCC has also partnered with Live Nation to open the new 9,380-seat Coca-Cola Amphitheater. Visit bjcc.org for more information.