The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened on November 3, 1965, on the grounds of the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. Built for about $7 million in private funding, the arena became known to generations of locals simply as “the Coliseum,” and to Phoenix Suns broadcaster Al McCoy’s listeners as the “Madhouse on McDowell.”
The venue served as the original home of the Phoenix Suns from 1968 to 1992, a run that included the franchise’s first trip to the NBA Finals in 1976 against the Boston Celtics and the 1975 NBA All-Star Game. Decades later, the building remains in active use for concerts, comedy shows, high school basketball tournaments, and Arizona State Fair programming each fall.
- Phoenix Suns played here 1968–1992. See every Suns arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Phoenix Suns (NBA, 1968-1992), Phoenix Roadrunners (hockey, 1967-1977)
- Location: Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, Arizona
- Opened: November 3, 1965
- Capacity: About 14,870 for basketball; about 13,730 for ice hockey
- Nickname: Madhouse on McDowell
- Notable feature: Saddle-shaped, tension-cable roof with over 1,000 precast concrete panels
A Roof That Influenced Arena Design
The Coliseum’s most distinctive feature is its saddle-shaped, cable-suspended roof, which holds more than 1,000 precast concrete panels without need for interior support columns. The engineering approach, unusual for a mid-1960s civic arena, is often cited as an influence on later cable-roof venues such as Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome.
From Elvis to the NBA Finals
Beyond basketball, the arena built a reputation as one of the Southwest’s premier concert stops, hosting Elvis Presley in 1970 and 1973 along with acts like The Rolling Stones and Nirvana. It also hosted professional soccer’s Phoenix Inferno and a WCW wrestling pay-per-view in 1991, reflecting its long run as a multipurpose venue even after the Suns moved to a new downtown arena in 1992.
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For late-season football, outdoor hockey and October park nights. Shake, pocket, and stay warm for hours.
12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum FAQs
Is the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum still in use?
Yes, it remains an active venue on the Arizona State Fairgrounds, hosting concerts, high school sports, and fair events.
Who played at the Coliseum before moving to a new arena?
The Phoenix Suns called it home from 1968 to 1992, including their 1976 NBA Finals appearance, before relocating to what is now PHX Arena in downtown Phoenix.
Why is it nicknamed the Madhouse on McDowell?
Longtime Suns broadcaster Al McCoy coined the nickname for the arena’s loud, packed-house atmosphere during its decades as the team’s home court on McDowell Road.
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Photo: Pacman5 at English Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.