HemisFair Arena, San Antonio arena, standing from 1968 to 1995
HemisFair Arena was an indoor sports venue in San Antonio that opened in April 1968 as part of the HemisFair exposition, featuring a large open interior with seating surrounding the main floor. Built with concrete and steel, it originally held thousands of visitors, with capacity expanded to over 16,000 in 1978 when the roof was raised and an upper deck added.
The arena opened in April 1968 as part of the HemisFair exposition and served as a sports venue for more than 25 years. The San Antonio Spurs began playing there in 1973, making it a crucial place for the team's early growth and development in the city.
The name comes from the 1968 HemisFair exposition when the building was created. For over two decades, the place was where sports fans gathered to cheer loudly together and create a shared sense of community around local teams.
The venue was easily accessible from different parts of the city and located in a busy area with public transportation and nearby parking options. Visitors could check schedules in advance to plan their trips around events and games.
One of the earliest JumboTrons was installed in the mid-1980s, displaying images and scores during games in a way that was groundbreaking at the time. Major artists like Elvis Presley performed there in 1972 and Johnny Cash in 1969, leaving their mark on the venue.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
