Colonial Life Arena
Colonial Life Arena is a basketball arena in Columbia, South Carolina, home of the South Carolina Gamecocks (SEC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 2002, making it 24 years old in 2026 and seats 18,000 for basketball. That makes it the 13th-largest arena in D-I.
The closest NBA arena is Spectrum Center in Charlotte, about 84 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Columbia, South Carolina
- Home of
- South Carolina Gamecocks
- School
- University of South Carolina
- Conference
- SEC
- Opened
- 2002
- Capacity
- 18,000
- Former names
- Carolina Center (2002–2003)
Colonial Center (2003–2008) - Also home to
- South Carolina women's basketball
South Carolina high school basketball championships - Size rank in D-I
- 13th of 360
Famous games at Colonial Life Arena
- Nov. 22, 2002: South Carolina's women opened the arena by beating Clemson 72-58 before a near-sellout 17,712, with admission set at $1.
- Dec. 2, 2002: At the official grand opening, South Carolina's men beat Temple 66-47.
- Jan. 26, 2010: South Carolina upset No. 1 and unbeaten Kentucky 68-62, one of the biggest wins in school history.
Game night
Getting there. Several COMET bus routes serve the arena, and Amtrak's Silver Star stops in Columbia.
Seating & views at Colonial Life Arena
Colonial Life Arena seats 18,000 for basketball, making it the largest arena in South Carolina and one of the biggest on any college campus. Both Gamecock basketball teams play here. A statue of A'ja Wilson, dedicated in 2021, stands near the main entrance. The building also hosts the state high school basketball championships every year.
Parking & tailgating at Colonial Life Arena
Colonial Life Arena is on the University of South Carolina campus near downtown Columbia. Several COMET bus routes serve the arena, including routes 28, 52X, 63, 101, 201, 301, 401 and 601, and Amtrak's Silver Star stops in Columbia. For driving, South Carolina Athletics publishes basketball parking details on its website and app each season, which is the best guide to garages, lots and any pre-paid requirements.
Plan your trip to Colonial Life Arena
Arenas near Colonial Life Arena10
- 1D-ISHM Memorial Center — South Carolina State Bulldogs 36 mi
- 2D-ITempleton Physical Education Center — Presbyterian Blue Hose 59 mi
- 3D-IWinthrop Coliseum — Winthrop Eagles 66 mi
- 4D-IG. B. Hodge Center — USC Upstate Spartans 81 mi
- 5D-IJerry Richardson Indoor Stadium — Wofford Terriers 81 mi
- 6NBASpectrum Center — Charlotte Hornets 84 mi
- 7D-ICurry Arena — Queens Royals 84 mi
- 8D-IDale F. Halton Arena — Charlotte 49ers 84 mi
- 9D-IPaul Porter Arena — Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 93 mi
- 10D-IBuccaneer Field House — Charleston Southern Buccaneers 97 mi
Questions about Colonial Life Arena
Where do the South Carolina Gamecocks play home games?
The South Carolina Gamecocks play at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
How many people does Colonial Life Arena hold?
Colonial Life Arena seats 18,000 for basketball.
When did Colonial Life Arena open?
Colonial Life Arena opened in 2002.
What other arenas are near Colonial Life Arena?
SHM Memorial Center in Orangeburg is about 36 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.