50 YEARS OF MEMORIES
Legacy Arena has been the heart of Birmingham’s biggest moments for 50 years. From legendary concerts and championship games to family shows and community celebrations, it’s a place where generations have laughed, cheered, connected, and created memories that last a lifetime. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we honor the moments that shaped our legacy and look ahead to the next 50 years of unforgettable experiences.
OUR HISTORY
In March 1972, Birmingham broke ground on the BJCC Coliseum, now known as Legacy Arena. The venue officially opened in April 1976, debuting with a Birmingham Bulls hockey game before welcoming Holiday on Ice, Seals and Croft and John Denver during its first year. The Coliseum served as the Birmingham Bulls’ home until 1978, when it also became the home court for UAB men’s basketball until the team moved to Bartow Arena in 1988.
From its earliest years, the Coliseum quickly established itself as one of the Southeast’s premier live music venues. Throughout the late 1970s and beyond, the venue’s reputation grew, attracting an extraordinary lineup of legendary performers, including KISS, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Billy Joel, and The Eagles.
Over the following decades, the Coliseum continued to host historic performances by some of the most influential artists in music history, including Prince, Dolly Parton, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Metallica, Janet Jackson, Céline Dion, Elton John, George Strait, R.E.M. with Radiohead, Grateful Dead, Alan Jackson, Tina Turner, and Jimmy Buffett. Together, these performances helped cement the venue’s reputation as a cornerstone of Birmingham’s live entertainment legacy.
In February 1999, the facility was renamed the BJCC Arena. Improvements over the years included the opening of the BJCC Arena Club, the installation of 119,000 square feet of acoustic panels to enhance sound quality, and the addition of a 150-foot skywalk connecting the Arena to the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.
On January 1, 2015, the venue became Legacy Arena at the BJCC following a naming rights agreement with Legacy Credit Union. A $125 million renovation and modernization project began in 2020, transforming the Arena with a new main entrance and plaza, 15,000 new seats, upgraded sound and lighting systems, new suites, expanded concessions and restrooms, improved accessibility, and an enlarged loading dock. Legacy Arena reopened on December 3, 2021, and today serves as the home of the Birmingham Squadron of the NBA G League, while continuing its long tradition of hosting world-class sports and live entertainment.
CALL FOR MEMORABILIA
Calling all collectors! Help us celebrate Legacy Arena at the BJCC’s 50th Anniversary by sharing your event memorabilia and collectibles. Click on the button below for more information.