Joe Louis Arena facts for kids
| The Joe, JLA | |
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| Location | 600 Civic Center Drive, Detroit, Michigan 48226 |
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| Coordinates | 42°19′31″N 83°3′5″W / 42.32528°N 83.05139°W |
| Owner | City of Detroit |
| Operator | Olympia Entertainment |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 20,066 Basketball: 21,800 Professional wrestling: 16,685 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1977 |
| Opened | December 12, 1979 |
| Construction cost | $57 million |
| Architect | Smith, Hinchmen and Grylls Associates |
| Tenants | |
| Detroit Red Wings (NHL) (1979–2017) Detroit Drive (AFL) (1988–1993) Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (OHL) (1991–1992) Detroit Junior Red Wings (OHL) (1992–1995) Detroit Rockers (NPSL) (1996–2001) Detroit Turbos (MILL) (1989–1994) Royal Rumble (WWE) (2009) |
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Joe Louis Arena was a large building in Detroit, Michigan, used for many different events. It was finished in 1979 and cost $57 million to build. This arena was built to replace an older one called the Detroit Olympia. It was located right next to the Cobo Center and the Detroit River. You could even get there using the Detroit People Mover train system. The arena was named after Joe Louis, a famous heavyweight boxer who grew up in Detroit.
Home of the Red Wings
The Joe Louis Arena was most famous for being the home of the Detroit Red Wings, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was the second oldest NHL arena after Madison Square Garden until the 2017-18 hockey season. The city of Detroit owned the arena, and a company called Olympia Entertainment managed it.
Besides hockey, many other teams played at Joe Louis Arena. These included the Detroit Drive (arena football), the Detroit Rockers (indoor soccer), and the Detroit Turbos (lacrosse). It also hosted many concerts, shows, and other big events, like the Royal Rumble wrestling event in 2009.
What Happened to The Joe?
In April 2017, the Detroit Red Wings played their very last game at Joe Louis Arena. The team moved to a brand new arena called Little Caesars Arena, which is also in Detroit.
After the Red Wings left, Joe Louis Arena officially closed on July 30, 2017. The plan was to tear down the building to make space for new buildings. Demolition began in 2019, and the arena is no longer standing.
Images for kids
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Inside Joe Louis Arena.
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The retired numbers of former Detroit Red Wings players displayed at Joe Louis Arena.
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Panorama of Joe Louis Arena in April 2008.
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The Detroit Shock practice at Joe Louis Arena before Game 5 of the 2006 WNBA Finals.
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The electronic scoreboard at Joe Louis Arena, during a game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Los Angeles Kings on March 9, 2007
See also
In Spanish: Joe Louis Arena para niños
