Indy's Historic Arena Witnessed MJ's Return and Elvis' Last Show, Only to be Razed in a Hurricane of 12 Seconds
Market Square Arena: Iconic Venue with a Legacy in Indianapolis
Market Square Arena (MSA), situated in the heart of downtown Indianapolis, was a multi-purpose indoor facility that hosted numerous significant events from its opening in 1974 to its demolition in 2001. Elvis Presley, Michael Jordan, Reggie Miller, Led Zeppelin, KISS, and Michael Jackson all graced the arena with their presence during its heyday.
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, performed his final live concert at MSA just seven weeks before his death in August 1977, playing to an audience of 18,000. Prominent musical groups like Led Zeppelin, KISS, and Michael Jackson also captivated Indianapolis crowds with their electrifying performances within the stadium walls. However, MSA's primary focus was basketball, serving as the home court for the Indiana Pacers from 1974 to 1999.
Despite reaching the Eastern Conference Finals on two occasions during the 90s, led by Reggie Miller, the Pacers fell short, losing to the Orlando Magic and the New York Knicks. Regardless of these losses, Miller provided fans with unforgettable moments, including some remarkable playoff triumphs against the Knicks and the memorable 'choking' of Spike Lee during a legendary game in 1994.
The intense rivalry between the Pacers and the Knicks, reignited in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals by Tyrese Haliburton and co., was not the only one for the team. They also squared off against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, with Jordan returning to NBA action after a brief retirement for his first game back at MSA on March 19, 1995. That evening, the three-time MVP played 43 minutes, netting 19 points while Miller scored 28 in the most-watched NBA game on television in 20 years. The Pacers emerged victorious in overtime, 103-96.
Market Square Arena's walls came down in a spectacular controlled explosion in July 2001, using 800 pounds of explosives. By the turn of the millennium, MSA was deemed obsolete and unable to accommodate the emerging revenue-generating attraction of luxury boxes. Its replacement, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, was opened in 1999 and has become the premier venue for sports and entertainment in Indianapolis. Post-demolition, the site was redeveloped, and today, it forms part of a vibrant downtown Indianapolis landscape packed with residential, commercial, and entertainment establishments.
As the Pacers square off against the Knicks in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Finals series on Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the memories of MSA's legacy live on. "For the city to grow, it has to happen," a spectator once said of the demolition, and now, Indianapolis moves forward without the once-iconic arena.
The legendary Market Square Arena, though demolished, once played host to diverse sports and entertainment events, such as basketball games featuring the Indiana Pacers, the memorable rivalry against Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls, and electrifying musical performances from artists like Elvis Presley, KISS, and Michael Jackson. Today, the site of the arena, redeveloped post-demolition, remains part of a bustling downtown Indianapolis landscape, hosting residential, commercial, and entertainment establishments. Reminiscing the era of MSA, one can still feel its spirit in the contemporary Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Pacers will resume their riveting Eastern Conference Finals series against the Knicks on Sunday night.
