The KFC Yum! Center is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It opened in 2010 and is home to the University of Louisville men’s and women’s basketball teams. The arena also hosts a variety of concerts, family shows, and other sporting events throughout the year. With a seating capacity of 22,000, the KFC Yum! Center is one of the largest arenas in the region.
University of Louisville Basketball
The KFC Yum! Center is best known as the home arena for the University of Louisville Cardinals men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Louisville Cardinals men’s team has achieved great success playing at the arena, including winning the 2013 NCAA Division I Basketball Championship. Some of the biggest names in college basketball, such as players Kevin Ware, Russ Smith, and Asia Durr, have electrified crowds at the KFC Yum! Center with their skills and athleticism. The arena has hosted NCAA March Madness tournament games and provides an intimidating home court advantage for the Cardinals.
Concerts
In addition to basketball, the KFC Yum! Center has hosted many high-profile concerts since opening in 2010. Musicians who have performed at the arena include Paul McCartney, Elton John, George Strait, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, and Luke Bryan. The excellent acoustics and spacious floor allow the arena to accommodate elaborate stage sets, lights, and effects to complement major concert tours. Fans enjoy the intimate feel of the arena compared to larger stadium venues. Upcoming concerts scheduled for the KFC Yum! Center include The Killers, Eric Church, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Other Sporting Events
The KFC Yum! Center also hosts a variety of other sporting events throughout the year. The arena is home to the Kentucky Xtreme Arena Football team and has hosted preseason and exhibition games for the NBA’s Indiana Pacers. Top ice hockey, tennis, and wrestling events have taken place at the venue. Its flexibility to convert from a basketball arena to a hockey/arena football field allows the KFC Yum! Center to attract a wide range of sports and competitions. This diversity of events gives sports fans in Louisville many chances to see live games at the arena.
Family Shows
For families looking for entertainment, the KFC Yum! Center offers many kid-friendly shows. Disney on Ice is a regular visitor, bringing figure skating productions featuring favorite Disney characters. Top circus companies like Cirque du Soleil and Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey have brought amazing acrobatics and stunts to the arena. Sesame Street Live, Harlem Globetrotters, and other interactive family productions have also appeared at the venue. The seating capacity and stage size of the KFC Yum! Center make it an ideal venue in Louisville for major family entertainment shows.
Other Events
As a modern, first-class facility, the KFC Yum! Center is also used for various other events requiring a large indoor space. Conventions, trade shows, graduation ceremonies, pageants, and touring productions are among events hosted at the arena. Political rallies, religious conferences, and business meetings utilize the adaptable floor plan. The arena even transformed into a giant classroom for National Geographic’s “One Strange Rock Tour” science show. This flexibility and capacity for diverse gatherings make the KFC Yum! Center a hub for major events in Louisville.
Facility Information
Here are some key facts about the KFC Yum! Center:
- Opened: October 2010
- Seating Capacity: 22,000
- Suites: 70 Luxury Suites
- Concourses: Over 64,000 square feet of concourses
- Parking: Over 3,000 parking spaces nearby
- Design: Created by architecture firm Populous
- Cost: $238 million to construct
- Naming Rights: Named for Yum! Brands, parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell
Location and Transportation
The KFC Yum! Center is centrally located downtown right across from the Louisville Waterfront Park. The arena is part of Louisville’s vibrant entertainment district along Main Street. Many restaurants, bars, hotels, and attractions are within walking distance. For visitors driving in, there are over 3,000 parking spaces in lots and garages nearby the arena. The 4th Street Live parking garage connected by pedway offers covered parking. Public transportation by bus is available with stops at the arena entrance. The convenient location right off Interstate 64 makes getting to events easy.
Future and Impact
Since opening in 2010, the KFC Yum! Center has had a major impact on downtown Louisville. It brings hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and generates significant economic benefits for the city. As a state-of-the-art facility, the arena has allowed Louisville to attract major concerts, shows, and sporting events. The venue will continue to serve as a premier destination for entertainment and athletics in the future. With the University of Louisville anchoring the arena as the home for Cardinals basketball, the KFC Yum! Center will excite Louisville fans far into the future.
Conclusion
The KFC Yum! Center has quickly become a major venue in downtown Louisville since its opening. With modern amenities and excellent seating capacity, the arena attracts the biggest names in basketball, music, family entertainment, and other sports and events. Home to the Louisville Cardinals and located right in the heart of downtown, the KFC Yum! Center provides excitement and convenience for Louisville residents and visitors. The arena promises to continue bringing top-tier entertainment and athletics to the city for many years to come.