United Supermarkets Arena

The United Supermarkets Arena is a big place where people can watch sports and other events. It is located on the campus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. The arena can hold 15,098 people and it opened in 1999.

It is most famous for being the home of several Texas Tech teams. The Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball team, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball team, and the Texas Tech Red Raiders women's volleyball team all play their home games here. This makes it a very important place for students, fans, and athletes in the area.

History

The City of Lubbock wanted to build a new arena named after Buddy Holly downtown, but the plan needed more support from voters. So, Texas Tech University decided to build its own arena on campus instead.

The arena was funded by private donations led by John T. Montford, the first chancellor of the Texas Tech University System. Construction started on March 26, 1997, and the arena opened on October 1, 1999.

Design

The United Supermarkets Arena has a Spanish Renaissance style outside, just like the rest of the Texas Tech University campus. Famous architects and builders worked together to create this special building.

At the southeast entrance, there is a tall tower called Victory Tower. It stands 96 feet high and is one of the tallest buildings in Lubbock.

Naming rights

A supermarket company in Lubbock named United Supermarkets bought the right to name the arena in 1996. They agreed to pay $10 million over 20 years. At first, the arena was called United Spirit Arena. In 2014, the name changed to United Supermarkets Arena after the company agreed to pay another $9.45 million over ten more years. This extra money will help improve the arena.

Usage

See also: Texas Tech Lady Raiders basketball and Texas Tech Red Raiders women's volleyball

See also: Texas Tech Red Raiders basketball

The arena hosted its first basketball game on November 19, 1999. The Texas Tech Red Raiders played against the Indiana Hoosiers. Later, the team had a special win that made one coach the most successful in men’s college basketball history.

The arena has also been used for many other events. It has hosted games in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament several times and a gymnastics tour in 2016. It even held a game with a team from the Women’s National Basketball Association in 2007 and a WWE show in 2006. The arena has also welcomed many concerts.

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