Market Square Arena: Indianapolis' Legendary Sports Palace

Market Square Arena holds a place in American cultural history that goes far beyond Indiana. It was the home of the Indiana Pacers. It was a downtown Indianapolis landmark for over two decades. And on June 26, 1977, it was the site of Elvis Presley's final concert performance.

The Arena

Market Square Arena opened in 1974 in downtown Indianapolis, replacing the aging State Fairgrounds Coliseum as the city's primary indoor venue. It seated around 16,500 for basketball and became the home of the Indiana Pacers, who had just joined the NBA after years in the ABA.

The arena was a product of Indianapolis' ambitions in the 1970s — a city that was actively working to reinvent itself as a major American sports destination. Market Square Arena was part of that effort, a modern facility that signaled Indianapolis was ready to compete with the big markets.

The Final Curtain

On June 26, 1977, Elvis Presley performed at Market Square Arena. It was the last concert of his final tour. Six weeks later, on August 16, 1977, Elvis died at Graceland. The Indianapolis show — which those in attendance described as a performance that showed both the brilliance and the fragility of a man in decline — became one of the most discussed final performances in rock history. For the fans who were there, it was a night they would never forget.

The Demolition

Market Square Arena closed in 1999 when Conseco Fieldhouse (now Gainbridge Fieldhouse) opened. It was demolished in 2001 in a controlled implosion — fittingly, on the anniversary of Elvis's death. The site is now a parking lot.

The Market Square Arena Indianapolis Retro T-shirt is for Pacers fans and anyone who knows what happened on that stage in June 1977. Find it in the Indianapolis collection.