🏛 Historic Stadium
The Omni Coliseum was an indoor arena located at 100 Techwood Drive in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Completed on October 14, 1972, at a cost of $17 million, the venue was designed by Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates and became instantly recognizable for its distinctive space frame roof — a latticed steel structure that critics and fans alike compared to an egg crate or a rusty waffle iron. Built as part of the larger Omni Complex (later rebranded as the CNN Center), it anchored a wave of downtown redevelopment.
For 25 years, the Omni served as the beating heart of Atlanta’s professional sports and entertainment scene, hosting two major league franchises under one roof from day one. Beyond basketball and hockey, the arena welcomed some of the biggest concerts and political events of its era before its demolition on July 26, 1997, making way for what is now State Farm Arena on the same site.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 100 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, Georgia
- Opened: October 14, 1972
- Closed: May 11, 1997
- Demolished: July 26, 1997
- Capacity (Basketball): 16,378
- Capacity (Hockey): 15,278
- Construction Cost: $17 million (about $131 million in 2025 dollars)
- Primary Tenants: Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Flames (NHL), Atlanta Knights (IHL)
Home of Atlanta’s Pro Teams
From opening night in 1972, the Omni Coliseum was the shared home of two major professional sports franchises. The Atlanta Hawks of the NBA played every home game there throughout the arena’s entire 25-year life. The Atlanta Flames of the NHL were co-tenants from the franchise’s very first season in 1972 until 1980, when the club was sold and relocated to Calgary, Alberta, where it became the Calgary Flames.
Hockey returned to the Omni when the Atlanta Knights of the International Hockey League took up residence from 1992 to 1996. The arena’s flexible configuration accommodated up to 16,378 fans for basketball and 15,278 for hockey, making it one of the larger venues of its generation and a genuine dual-sport facility long before that term became fashionable.
Landmark Events and Lasting Legacy
The Omni Coliseum punched well above its weight as an event host. It staged the 1977 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four, the 1978 NBA All-Star Game, and the 1993 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four. In 1988 it served as the site of the Democratic National Convention, and in 1996 it hosted the indoor volleyball competition during the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games — one of the last major events before its closure.
After the final event in May 1997, the arena was demolished that July to clear the site for its successor. Philips Arena — now State Farm Arena — opened on the same footprint in September 1999. In tribute, the Omni’s original scoreboard was preserved and relocated to the new venue, the lone surviving artifact of a building that defined downtown Atlanta sports for a generation.
Explore more: Explore more historic stadiums.
Omni Coliseum FAQs
When was the Omni Coliseum demolished?
The Omni Coliseum closed to events on May 11, 1997, and was demolished on July 26, 1997, to make way for what is now State Farm Arena.
What teams played at the Omni Coliseum?
The primary tenants were the Atlanta Hawks (NBA, 1972–1997) and the Atlanta Flames (NHL, 1972–1980). The Atlanta Knights of the IHL also called it home from 1992 to 1996.
What replaced the Omni Coliseum?
State Farm Arena (originally Philips Arena) was built on the same site and opened September 18, 1999. The Omni’s original scoreboard was preserved and installed in the new building.
Get More from Omni Coliseum
log the coasters, stadiums, and venues you’ve experienced, rate Omni Coliseum, and see what your friends thought. Get the ThrillZing app.
Photo: Acroterion / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.