A Look Back: Carolina Coliseum’s Lasting Legacy in Columbia Sports History
Columbia, SC – April 25, 2025
Though no longer home to the roaring crowds of SEC basketball or the fast-paced thrills of minor league hockey, the Carolina Coliseum still holds a revered place in Columbia’s sporting memory.
Opened in 1968 in the heart of downtown Columbia, the 12,401-seat arena served as the original home court for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks men’s and women’s basketball teams for over three decades. It witnessed the rise of Gamecock basketball through memorable SEC battles and electrifying March Madness runs, setting the foundation for what the program has become today under the likes of Dawn Staley and others.
From 2001 to 2008, the Coliseum also played host to the Columbia Inferno of the ECHL, bringing the energy of professional hockey to South Carolina. With ice on the floor and loyal fans in the stands, the arena embraced a new era of sports entertainment, bridging generations of Gamecock faithful with new fans of the Inferno.
While the Gamecocks moved to Colonial Life Arena in 2002 and the Inferno eventually folded, the Carolina Coliseum remains an enduring symbol of South Carolina’s athletic heritage. Today, it continues to serve various university functions and community events — a reminder of its impactful past and ongoing relevance.
The venue may no longer echo with the chants of “Go Cocks!” during NCAA showdowns or the clash of sticks from hard-fought hockey games, but for many in Columbia, the Carolina Coliseum is more than a building — it’s a cornerstone of Soda City’s sports legacy.
As Columbia continues to grow and evolve, the spirit of the Coliseum lives on in every banner, every memory, and every fan who ever walked through its storied doors.
