City: Indianapolis, IN

Category: Spectator Sports

Telephone: (317) 927-7622

Address: 1202 E. 38th St.

Description: Built in 1939, the Indiana State Fairgrounds Pepsi Coliseum has a permanent seating capacity of 7,659 and is used for concerts, ice-skating, rodeos, trade shows, and sporting events. It is home to the Indiana Ice, members of the United States Hockey League. A historical landmark, the Pepsi Coliseum was the first home of the Indiana Pacers and the centerpiece of the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Built of brick and Indiana limestone, the structure was also home to the Indianapolis Capitals of the American Hockey League for 12 seasons when it opened, including two league championship seasons in 1942 and 1950.Banners draping the walls proudly salute the many uses of this structure. The arena hosted a concert by the Beatles in 1964, the only appearance by the Fab Four in Indiana. Another banner commemorates a speech by young Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kennedy in front of a capacity crowd in 1960. In 2003 George W. Bush was the first sitting U.S. president to speak at the Coliseum. Renovations and improvements have been made to the Coliseum over the years, including a video screen on the east wall and new seats throughout the arena. But four rows of original wooden seats remain intact in each corner of the Coliseum. Fans still use those old seats. The Indiana Ice is a Tier 1 ice hockey team formed in 2004 when it was purchased from the former Danville, Illinois, team, the Danville Wings. The Ice play in the Eastern Division of the United States Hockey League. Ice players who have gone on to the NHL include Joel Rechlicz and John Carlson. Ice tickets start at $9.