Fifth Third Arena
Fifth Third Arena, known as “The Shoe”, is a basketball arena in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the Cincinnati Bearcats (Big 12, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1989, making it 37 years old in 2026 and seats 12,012 for basketball. It ranks 10th of 16 in the Big 12 by capacity.
Its record crowd is 13,477 vs. Xavier (2017). The closest NBA arena is Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, about 97 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Home of
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- School
- University of Cincinnati
- Conference
- Big 12
- Opened
- 1989
- Capacity
- 12,012
- Nickname
- The Shoe
- Former names
- Myrl H. Shoemaker Center (1989–2005)
- Record crowd
- 13,477 vs. Xavier (2017)
- Size rank in D-I
- 57th of 360
Famous games at Fifth Third Arena
- 1994: Cincinnati won the Great Midwest Conference men's tournament on its home floor, one of the building's first big postseason events.
- 1998: The Bearcats won the Conference USA men's tournament at home, during a stretch when they went more than two seasons without a home loss.
- 1999: The arena hosted early-round games of the NCAA Division I women's tournament, which returned here again in 2003.
- Jan. 26, 2017: Cincinnati beat crosstown rival Xavier in the Crosstown Shootout before 13,477 fans, the largest crowd in arena history.
Seating & views at Fifth Third Arena
Fifth Third Arena seats 12,012 after an $87 million renovation, finished in 2018, rebuilt it as a 360-degree bowl with main-level and upper-level concourses. The student sections sit behind both baselines, in sections 109-111 on the north end and 121-123 on the south end. Premium options include the Champions Club on the main concourse, the Courtside Club under the north baseline stands for courtside ticket holders, loge boxes, and four suites behind the north baseline.
Parking & tailgating at Fifth Third Arena
Fans park in University of Cincinnati campus garages. UC Athletics lists the Campus Green, Woodside and University Avenue garages for game-day parking, with Corry Garage also listed for women's games, and parking can be bought online ahead of time. Shuttles run from Campus Green and University Circle to Dabney Circle starting two hours before tip. Rideshare drop-off has been at Corry Boulevard and O'Varsity Way. Students enter through their own gate at the northwest corner.
Plan your trip to Fifth Third Arena
Arenas near Fifth Third Arena10
- 1D-ICintas Center — Xavier Musketeers same city
- 2D-ITruist Arena — Northern Kentucky Norse 13 mi
- 3D-IMillett Hall — Miami RedHawks 27 mi
- 4D-IUniversity of Dayton Arena — Dayton Flyers 43 mi
- 5D-INutter Center — Wright State Raiders 51 mi
- 6D-IRupp Arena — Kentucky Wildcats 79 mi
- 7D-IWorthen Arena — Ball State Cardinals 86 mi
- 8D-IEllis Johnson Arena — Morehead State Eagles 88 mi
- 9D-IKFC Yum! Center — Louisville Cardinals 92 mi
- 10D-IKnights Hall — Bellarmine Knights 92 mi
Questions about Fifth Third Arena
Where do the Cincinnati Bearcats play home games?
The Cincinnati Bearcats play at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.
How many people does Fifth Third Arena hold?
Fifth Third Arena seats 12,012 for basketball.
When did Fifth Third Arena open?
Fifth Third Arena opened in 1989.
What is Fifth Third Arena’s nickname?
Fifth Third Arena is known as “The Shoe.”
What is the attendance record at Fifth Third Arena?
The record crowd at Fifth Third Arena is 13,477 vs. Xavier (2017).
What other arenas are near Fifth Third Arena?
Cintas Center is also in Cincinnati. 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.