The Allen County War Memorial Coliseum opened on September 28, 1952, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a tribute to local veterans. Since its opening night, it has served as the home ice for the Fort Wayne Komets, making it one of the longest continuously used hockey venues in the country.
Beyond hockey, the Coliseum carved out a place in NBA history by hosting the Fort Wayne Pistons, the 1953 NBA All-Star Game, and the 1955 and 1956 NBA Finals. Decades of expansions, including a major 2002 renovation that raised the roof 41 feet, transformed the original venue into the multi-purpose complex that still anchors Fort Wayne’s sports and entertainment scene today.
- Detroit Pistons played here 1952–1957. See every Pistons arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL); formerly Fort Wayne Pistons (NBA) and Fort Wayne Mad Ants (NBA G League)
- Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Opened: September 28, 1952
- Capacity: 10,480 (hockey/concerts); 13,000 (basketball)
- Major Renovation: $35 million expansion in 2002
- Notable Fact: Hosted the 1955 and 1956 NBA Finals
A Home Built for Hockey
The Fort Wayne Komets have called the Coliseum home since it opened in 1952, giving the arena one of the deepest hockey traditions in American minor-league sports. The building’s intimate bowl and loyal fan base have made it a consistently strong draw in the ECHL for decades.
The Coliseum’s hockey-first design didn’t stop it from becoming a basketball landmark. The Fort Wayne Pistons played there before relocating to Detroit, and the arena’s run of NBA Finals games in the mid-1950s remains a point of local pride.
Decades of Expansion
A 1989 expansion added a 108,000-square-foot exposition center, broadening the venue’s use for trade shows and conventions. The most significant change came in 2002, when a $35 million renovation lifted the roofline by 41 feet and pushed seating capacity to its current levels for both hockey and basketball configurations.
Further upgrades in 2013 modernized the 200 Level concourse and suites, and a new LED scoreboard arrived in 2018. These investments have helped the Coliseum continue hosting NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Sweet 16 games and NCAA Division III championships alongside its regular hockey schedule.
Explore more: Explore more iconic stadiums and arenas.
For upper-deck seats. Watch line play at the stadium, or the far side of the park from the top of a lift hill.
Sherpa-lined and windproof, with a waterproof back for wet bleachers. Folds into its own pouch.
For late-season football, outdoor hockey and October park nights. Shake, pocket, and stay warm for hours.
Allen County War Memorial Coliseum FAQs
When did the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum open?
It opened on September 28, 1952, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as a memorial to local war veterans.
What is the seating capacity of the Coliseum?
The arena seats about 10,480 for hockey games and concerts, and up to 13,000 for basketball events.
What teams have played at the Coliseum?
The Fort Wayne Komets have played there since 1952. Past tenants included the NBA’s Fort Wayne Pistons, the CBA’s Fort Wayne Fury, and the NBA G League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Get More from Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Brycesteiner / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.