Appalachian Wireless Arena
Map
Former namesEastern Kentucky Expo Center (2005-2019)
Location126 Main Street
Pikeville, Kentucky
Coordinates37°28′54″N 82°30′54″W / 37.481542°N 82.515054°W / 37.481542; -82.515054
OwnerCommonwealth of Kentucky
OperatorCity of Pikeville
Capacity7,000 (concerts)
5,700 (sporting events)
Construction
OpenedOctober 2005[1]
Construction cost$29 million
($43.5 million in 2022 dollars[2])[1]
Website
https://www.appalachianwirelessarena.com

The Appalachian Wireless Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Pikeville, Kentucky. Opened in October 2005, it hosts various local concerts and sporting events for the area. The facility, which can seat 7,000 for concerts and 5,700 for sporting events, is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and managed by the City of Pikeville.

History

From 2005 to 2019, the facility was named the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center, however in June 2019 naming rights were sold to Appalachian Wireless, as part of a 5-year, $85,000/year contract.[3][4]

On October 22, 2022, the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball played the annual Blue-White intra-squad scrimmage, normally held at Rupp Arena at Appalachian Wireless Arena to raise money for relief due to the 2022 Eastern Kentucky floods. The event raised over $160,000.[5]

About

Tenants

Club Sport Years Active League
Kentucky Drillers Arena Football 2011–2013 CIFL, UIFL
UPike Bears Basketball 2005–present NAIA
East Kentucky Drillers Arena Football 2011–2012 UIFL
East Kentucky Energy Basketball 2010–2012 ABA
East Kentucky Miners Basketball 2007–2009 CBA

References

  1. ^ a b Description of the Venue
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Anderson, Chris. "Expo officially becomes Appalachian Wireless Arena". Appalachian News-Express. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  4. ^ "New Name Going Up at Kentucky Arena". VenuesNow. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  5. ^ Letcher, Tim. "White Tops Blue; Cats Raise over $160,000 for Eastern Kentucky". Kentucky Wildcats. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  6. ^ About Us Archived 2014-06-15 at the Wayback Machine Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center. Retrieved 2014-07-08.

External links

Music venues of Kentucky
College basketball venues in Kentucky
Authority control databases: Geographic
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