State Farm Center

State Farm Center is an indoor sports venue in Champaign featuring a distinctive concrete dome that rises approximately 125 feet (38 meters) above ground and seats around 16,600 people. The structure uses an extensive network of steel cable reinforcement to support the large roof span and can be configured for different events including basketball, wrestling, and concerts.

The building opened in 1963 as Assembly Hall and represented an engineering achievement in dome construction at that time. It was renamed in 2013 following a sponsorship partnership with an insurance company.

The center serves as the home venue for the University of Illinois basketball team and draws crowds for sporting competitions and live performances throughout the year. It has become a focal point for campus gatherings and community celebrations since its opening.

The venue maintains guidelines for permitted bag types and offers accessibility features including wheelchair seating and assisted listening systems. Visitors should check event-specific entry policies and parking availability when planning their visit.

The roof is supported by approximately 614 miles of steel wire, which was an extraordinary engineering accomplishment when completed. This cable system remained a reference point for large-span dome construction for many years.

Location: Champaign

Inception: March 2, 1963

Architects: Harrison & Abramovitz

Official opening: March 2, 1963

Capacity: 16618

Website: http://statefarmcenter.com

GPS coordinates: 40.09630,-88.23600

Latest update: December 14, 2025 21:20