New MAPS 4 Coliseum opens soon at the State Fairgrounds

Kenton Tsoodle
7 days ago
1 min read

As featured in the Journal Record.

Oklahoma City will welcome the new OG&E Coliseum to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds this summer. As the first MAPS 4 building to break ground, OKC residents have eagerly awaited this opening since construction began in 2023.

The new MAPS 4 arena will replace the Jim Norick Arena, which has stood as the central host for events in the fairgrounds for nearly 60 years, outliving the average lifespan for this type of arena by nearly double. With over 1.1 million annual visitors to the Jim Norick Arena, who spend on average $211 million, it has historically been one of the largest generators for OKC's economy. The OKC Fairgrounds generate more for Oklahoma City's economy than all other entertainment venues in the city combined—the new coliseum is expected to expand upon that legacy. According to an economic report, the new coliseum is projected to see a 10% increase in direct spending at the fairgrounds with a projected total economic impact of over $408 million, while simultaneously creating approximately 370 new jobs.

Booking for events has already begun, with officials stating that the event space is already booked through the end of the year. Once open, the new 216,164-square-foot building will have the capacity to accommodate 8,000 guests. It was specifically designed to serve a variety of exhibits, from performing arts to livestock shows, and will host major national, state, and local events, including concerts and sports competitions.