McCamish Pavilion is the home arena of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men’s and women’s basketball, a domed facility on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta, Georgia known to fans as “The Thrillerdome.” The building began life in 1956 as Alexander Memorial Coliseum, a 270-foot-diameter dome built without interior support pillars, and it carried that name through 55 years of Yellow Jackets basketball.
In 2010, Georgia Tech announced a $45 million renovation funded in part by a $15 million gift from the McCamish family, and the arena closed for construction before reopening on November 9, 2012 as McCamish Pavilion. The rebuilt venue trimmed seating capacity but added a new upper balcony, club seating, and modern concourses, giving the historic dome a second life as one of the ACC’s more intimate basketball venues.
- Atlanta Hawks played here 1968–1972 and 1997–1999. See every Hawks arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men’s and women’s basketball
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Opened: November 30, 1956 (as Alexander Memorial Coliseum); renovated and renamed November 9, 2012
- Capacity: 8,600
- Peak historic capacity: 9,596 (1990–1996)
- Notable fact: Hosted Olympic boxing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
From Alexander Coliseum to the Thrillerdome
Designed by Aeck Associates, the original dome used 32 steel support beams to span its 270-foot diameter without interior pillars, an engineering feat for its era. Named for longtime Georgia Tech football coach William Alexander, the coliseum’s capacity grew in stages over the decades, from 6,696 seats at opening to a peak of 9,596 in the early 1990s, before settling at 9,191 ahead of the 1996 Olympics.
The Atlanta Hawks also called the building home twice, from 1968 to 1972 and again from 1997 to 1999, while their own arenas were being built or renovated. During the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the coliseum hosted the Olympic boxing tournament, adding a global sporting chapter to its history before the 2012 transformation.
The Modern McCamish Pavilion
The $45 million renovation reshaped the bowl, added an upper-level balcony with 1,665 seats alongside 6,935 lower-level seats, and introduced club seating and wider concourses, bringing total capacity to 8,600. The Yellow Jackets christened the renovated arena on November 9, 2012 with a sellout win over Tulane.
Beyond basketball, McCamish Pavilion has hosted campus events and political gatherings, including serving as a spin room during a 2024 presidential debate cycle, reflecting its continued role as one of Georgia Tech’s most versatile venues.
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Sherpa-lined and windproof, with a waterproof back for wet bleachers. Folds into its own pouch.
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12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
McCamish Pavilion FAQs
What was McCamish Pavilion called before its renovation?
It was known as Alexander Memorial Coliseum, named for former Georgia Tech football coach William Alexander, from its 1956 opening until the 2012 renovation.
What is the capacity of McCamish Pavilion?
The current capacity is 8,600, following the 2012 renovation that replaced the previous 9,191-seat configuration.
Did McCamish Pavilion host any Olympic events?
Yes, the arena (then Alexander Memorial Coliseum) hosted the Olympic boxing tournament during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
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Photo: User:WhoIsDanielHord / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.