History

Entertainment in Bloomington IL since 2006

On August 19, 2004, the City of Bloomington broke ground on the construction of a $37 million entertainment venue that was built in thriving Downtown Bloomington.   After 18 months of construction, Grossinger Motors Arena (then known as the U.S. Cellular Coliseum) first opened its doors to the public on April 1, 2006 when it played host to a Bloomington Extreme Indoor Football game. (The Bloomington Extreme lost to the Fort Wayne Freedom by a score of 51-28 in front of a crowd of 6,096 fans.)

Grossinger Motors Arena has been the home venue for several hockey, indoor football, and basketball teams.  Home hockey teams included Bloomington Prairie Thunder (UHL/IHL/CHL affiliations from 2006-2011), Bloomington Blaze (CHL from 2011-2013), Bloomington Thunder (SPHL from 2013-2014), and the Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL from 2014 – 2019).  Home Football teams were Bloomington Extreme (UIF/IFL from 2006 - 2012), and Bloomington Edge (CIFL/XLIFL/CIF/IFL affiliations from 2012-2018).  Home basketball teams were Central Illinois Drive (MPBA 2011-2012 ), and Bloomington Flex (MBPA from 2012-2015).  Grossinger Motors Arena is also host the Illinois State Redbird Hockey Club.

In addition to its sports tenants, Grossinger Motors Arena has also hosted an array of events, including concerts, family shows, ice shows, motors sports, and trade shows.  Grossinger Motors Arena has also been the location for local graduation ceremonies, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals Caravans, Illinois High School Association’s regional and state tournaments, and a wide variety of private meetings and wedding receptions.

On April 1, 2016, VenuWorks of Bloomington was selected by the City of Bloomington as the new management company for the facility.

In June 2017, Grossinger Motors became the new naming rights sponsor of the Arena and the name was officially changed to Grossinger Motors Arena.