The Omaha Civic Auditorium was a multi-purpose convention and entertainment complex in downtown Omaha, Nebraska, dedicated in January 1955 after construction finished in 1954. Designed by architect Leo A. Daly and built by the Kiewit Corporation, it stood at 1804 Capitol Avenue and became the city’s largest gathering space until the CHI Health Center opened in 2003.
Over nearly six decades, the auditorium’s arena and attached Music Hall hosted college and professional sports, political history, and major concerts. As newer venues around Omaha drew away its tenants, the aging complex closed in June 2014 and was demolished in 2016, clearing the site for the mixed-use Civic Square redevelopment.
- Sacramento Kings played here 1972–1978. See every Kings arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Creighton Bluejays, Omaha Beef, Omaha Mavericks, Kansas City-Omaha Kings (NBA)
- Location: 1804 Capitol Avenue, Omaha, Nebraska
- Opened: 1954 (dedicated January 2, 1955)
- Closed/Demolished: Closed June 2014; demolished 2016
- Capacity (concerts): about 10,960
- Capacity (basketball): about 9,300
- Notable Event: 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate
A Downtown Omaha Landmark
The Civic Auditorium’s main arena seated roughly 10,960 for concerts and about 9,300 for basketball, while an attached Music Hall held around 2,453 for smaller shows and performances. Creighton Bluejays men’s basketball called the arena home from 1960 to 2003, and the complex also hosted the NBA’s Kansas City-Omaha Kings for part of their relocation years in the early 1970s.
Later tenants included the Omaha Mavericks ice hockey program, the Omaha Beef of indoor football, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights of the AHL, and the Omaha Lancers junior hockey club, reflecting the building’s long run as the city’s default home for sports before newer arenas were built.
From Elvis to the Vice Presidency
The auditorium’s most famous night came on June 19, 1977, when Elvis Presley performed there in a concert filmed for a CBS television special, one of his final shows before his death. The venue also staged the 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate, remembered for Senator Lloyd Bentsen’s rebuke of Dan Quayle, and in 1972 it hosted the Joe Frazier-Ron Stander heavyweight title fight.
The opening of the Ralston Arena in 2012 pulled away the Civic Auditorium’s remaining sports tenants, and the venue closed for good in June 2014. Demolition followed in 2016, ending the building’s run as downtown Omaha redeveloped the site into the Civic Square project.
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Omaha Civic Auditorium FAQs
Is the Omaha Civic Auditorium still standing?
No. It closed in June 2014 and was demolished in 2016; the site was redeveloped as the Civic Square mixed-use project.
What was the Omaha Civic Auditorium’s seating capacity?
About 10,960 for concerts and roughly 9,300 for basketball, with the attached Music Hall seating around 2,453.
What famous events took place there?
Highlights included a 1977 Elvis Presley concert filmed for CBS, the 1988 U.S. vice-presidential debate, and the 1972 Joe Frazier-Ron Stander heavyweight boxing match.
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Photo: JonClee86 / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.