Mackey Arena is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Part of the Purdue University campus, it is home to the university's basketball teams, and occasionally hosts home games for the volleyball and wrestling teams. The arena opened in 1967 as a replacement for Lambert Fieldhouse.
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| Former names | Purdue Arena (1967–72) |
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| Location | 900 John R. Wooden Drive West Lafayette, IN 47907 |
| Coordinates | 40°25′59.96″N 86°54′58.12″W / 40.4333222°N 86.9161444°W / 40.4333222; -86.9161444 |
| Owner | Purdue University |
| Operator | Purdue University |
| Capacity | 14,123 (1967–2011) 14,240 (2011–2012)[1] 14,846 (2012–2016)[2] 14,804 (2016–2022)[3] 14,876 (2022–present)[4] |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | July 1965 |
| Opened | December 2, 1967 |
| Renovated | 2007–2012 |
| Construction cost | $6 Million (1967) ($54.8 million in 2023 dollars[5]) $99.5 Million (2007–2011 renovation) |
| Architect | Walter Scholer and Associates Inc. (original)[6] HNTB (2007–2011 renovation) |
| General contractor | S.N. Nielsen Co.[6] |
| Tenants | |
| Purdue Boilermakers (Men's Basketball) (Women's Basketball) | |
Originally named Purdue Arena, it was renamed in 1972 to honor Purdue alumnus and long time athletic director Guy "Red" Mackey. On December 12, 1997, the floor was renamed Keady Court in honor of longtime men's coach Gene Keady. The circular arena, similar to several built in the 1960s, seats 14,804, and is considered by many as one of the loudest arenas in the nation due to its domed aluminum roof.[7]
In recent years, Mackey Arena has experienced numerous upgrades and improvements, including:
Mackey Arena hosted first and second round games of the 1980 NCAA tournament.[14][15] The arena also hosted the First Four and first round games of the 2021 tournament.[16]
On May 18, 2007, the university's board of trustees voted to award a contract to HNTB Architecture of Kansas City, Mo., for a $99.5 million project that extends from the outer edges of the arena north along Northwestern Avenue to Cherry Lane. A three-level structure is planned north of Mackey and currently is being referred to as the Student-Athlete Development Center. Its highlights include:
The concourse width will be approximately doubled, concessions will increase four times (from 12 to 48 points of sale) and restrooms will increase three times for women and by 35% for men. In addition, the lower seating sections on the east side will be modified to allow for some premium seats, with club seats (fixed padded stadium chairs) and loge seats (office-style chairs on casters) provided. A limited number of premium courtside seats will be available in the west pit area. Accessible seating will increase approximately six times. Two club spaces will be created, one for general fans on the west side and a premium club to the east.