Oh, the stories these walls could tell. Charlotte’s beloved Bojangles Coliseum is celebrating 70 years in the Queen City. Since opening its doors on Sept. 11, 1955, as the Charlotte Coliseum, this iconic venue has hosted unforgettable concerts, big wins, and community moments. We’re looking back at the first seven big events from The Biscuit’s 70-year history.
A major first
When built, it became the first largest unsupported steel dome coliseum in the world and the first free-spanning dome in the US.
The first concert
Singer and guitarist Bo Diddley headlined the coliseum’s first concert on Jan. 31, 1956. Five months later, Elvis Presley played to about 7,000 fans and returned several times throughout his career.
The first hockey game
The Eastern Hockey League’s Baltimore Clippers (Charlotte Checkers) played at the Coliseum in 1956, with more than 10,000 people in attendance. Take a look at their history in the Queen City.
The first storm
In 1958, a windstorm damaged the Coliseum’s roof. Despite some leaking, events went on as planned — including a roller derby match and an event by the late Rev. Billy Graham.
The first closure and renovation
A new Charlotte Coliseum opened in 1988, causing the Coliseum to close. Over five years, the arena underwent infrastructure upgrades and renovations, and reopened in 1993 — then known as the Independence Arena.
The first year as “Bojangles Coliseum”
In 2008, Charlotte-based Bojangles Restaurants, Inc. bought the naming rights to the Coliseum. Editor’s note: The apostrophe in the name was removed in 2020.
New decade, new collegiate first
In March 2025, the arena hosted the inaugural Black College Invitational Championship (BCIC). The four-day event featured 16 teams competing for the championship — Charlotte’s Johnson C. Smith won the women’s bracket and Claflin University won the men’s.
Seventy years later, Bojangles Coliseum is still rocking — and we can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds. What’s your favorite memory? Let us know.
