United Supermarkets Arena (previously the United Spirit Arena) is a multipurpose arena on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The 15,098-seat arena opened in 1999 and is home to the Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball, Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball, and Texas Tech Red Raiders women's volleyball teams.
History The City of Lubbock proposed replacing the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum with a new arena named after Buddy Holly. The proposed Buddy Holly Arena was to be located next to the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in downtown Lubbock, not on the Texas Tech University campus. A public referendum for a tax increase to build the arena failed to pass by as few as 600 votes. Texas Tech decided to move construction to an on-campus facility with private donations on the university's campus.
The arena was financed from a $500 million fundraising endeavor undertaken by John T. Montford, the first chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Groundbreaking began on March 26, 1997. The arena opened on October 1, 1999, at a cost of $62.775 million.
Design The arena features a Spanish Renaissance exterior facade, matching architectural style of the rest of the Texas Tech University campus. Architects for the project included Joe D. McKay AIA Architects, and Rosser International. Hill International was the project manager, and the general contractor was Centex Construction Co.
Standing at the southeast entrance of the arena is the eight-story Victory Tower. At , Victory Tower is the 16th-tallest structure in Lubbock.
Naming rights Lubbock-based supermarket chain United Supermarkets purchased the naming rights to the facility under a 20-year, $10 million naming-rights agreement with Texas Tech University in 1996. Until 2014, the arena was known as United Spirit Arena. Following a 10-year, $9.45 million naming-rights extension, the arena was renamed United Supermarkets Arena. Funds from the 10-year naming rights extension will go towards facility renovations.
Usage
Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball
The first basketball game was played in the arena on November 19, 1999. The Texas Tech Red Raiders lost 68–60 to the Indiana Hoosiers, coached by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Knight, who would later become the head coach of Red Raiders basketball team. On January 1, 2007, a 70–68 defeat of the New Mexico Lobos by the Texas Tech Red Raiders marked the 880th total win for Bob Knight, making him the winningest coach in men's college basketball history. A Big 12 Conference record for student attendance was set February 25, 2014, against Kansas State.
NCAA Tournaments NCAA Division I Women's Basketball First and Second Rounds: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013, and WNIT Tournament First Round 2023.
Gymnastics On October 2, 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.
WNBA On May 4, 2007, the Houston Comets with former Lady Raiders Sheryl Swoopes and Erin Grant played a Women's National Basketball Association exhibition game against the Detroit Shock with Plenette Pierson, also a former Lady Raider.
WWE United Supermarkets Arena hosted WWE Raw (the first Raw ever to be hosted in Lubbock) in May 2006.
Concerts Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Revenue Notes February 8, 2000 Elton John — Medusa Tour — — First concert to be held at the arena.October 18, 2000Pearl JamSupergrassBinaural TourPerformance of "Parting Ways" was included on the Touring Band 2000 DVD. June 14, 2002 Britney Spears — Dream Within a Dream Tour 14,256 / 14,256 $741,972 After the second song, "(You Drive Me) Crazy", a power outage occurred and the rest of the concert had to be canceled. Spears, along with her tour manager, came onstage to explain the situation to the sold-out crowd. Due to Spears being overbooked for the entire tour, there was no time to reschedule the concert. October 14, 2011 Taylor Swift — Speak Now World Tour 10,419 / 10,419 $710,426 Tickets for the show were sold out within 20 minutes after going on sale, the fastest sell-out in the arena's history. January 18, 2013 George Strait Martina McBride The Cowboy Rides Away Tour — — March 17, 2013 Bon Jovi — Because We Can: The Tour 13,255 / 13,255 $1,201,105 This concert marks Richie Sambora's last with the band. October 2, 2014 Paul McCartney — Out There 11,446 / 11,446 $1,820,456 Originally scheduled for June 14, but was postponed due to illness. March 30, 2017 Garth BrooksTrisha Yearwood — The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood — — This show was sold out and 4 more shows were added, all of which were sold out. March 31, 2017 April 1, 2017 April 2, 2017 March 2, 2019 Metallica Jim Breuer World Wired Tour — — This concert featured the live debut of Here Comes Revenge.March 26, 2023TobyMacCrowderCochren & Co Tasha Layton Jon Reddick TerrianHits Deep Tour 2023——May 7, 2023For King & Country—What Are We Waiting For Tour: Part II——
See also List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas
References
External links