Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, known as “The Joel”, is a basketball arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (ACC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1989, making it 37 years old in 2026 and seats 14,407 for basketball. It ranks 6th of 18 in the ACC by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is Spectrum Center in Charlotte, about 66 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Home of
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- School
- Wake Forest University
- Conference
- ACC
- Opened
- 1989
- Capacity
- 14,407
- Nickname
- The Joel
- Also home to
- Winston-Salem Energy (NIFL, 2002, former)
Carolina Cowboys (PBR, 2022) - Size rank in D-I
- 34th of 360
Famous games at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
- March 15, 1997: North Carolina beat Colorado 73-56 in the NCAA second round, giving Dean Smith his 877th win and passing Adolph Rupp as college basketball's winningest coach.
- March 17, 2000: Mike Miller's buzzer-beater gave No. 5 seed Florida a 69-68 overtime win over No. 12 seed Butler in the NCAA first round.
- Jan. 28, 2009: James Johnson's layup with 0.8 seconds left gave Wake Forest a 70-68 win over No. 1 Duke, its first win over a top-ranked team since 1992.
- March 5, 2014: Wake Forest beat No. 5 Duke 82-72.
Seating & views at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
The Joel seats 14,665 for basketball in a two-level bowl: about 6,559 seats down low, including roll-out bleachers along the court, and about 8,013 in a larger upper level, so many fans watch from above. Wake Forest bought the city-built arena and 33 surrounding acres in 2013 and has since added LED court lighting and a center-hung display over midcourt. The main arena can be curtained off for smaller, theater-style events.
Parking & tailgating at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Gameday parking is first-come, first-served in the Diet Pepsi and Starry lots at the coliseum, with overflow in the Gold Lot at Allegacy Stadium next door, and parking can be prepaid online. Tailgating is allowed in the coliseum lots, limited to the area in front of or behind your car. Rideshare drop-off is at the Allegacy Lot, with pickup at the main entrance off University Parkway. Check godeacs.com for each game's details.
Plan your trip to Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Arenas near Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum10
- 1D-INido & Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center — High Point Panthers 14 mi
- 2G LeagueNovant Health Fieldhouse — Greensboro Swarm 23 mi
- 3D-ICorbett Sports Center — North Carolina A&T Aggies 24 mi
- 4D-IFirst Horizon Coliseum — UNC Greensboro Spartans 24 mi
- 5D-ISchar Center — Elon Phoenix 41 mi
- 6D-IJohn M. Belk Arena — Davidson Wildcats 51 mi
- 7NBASpectrum Center — Charlotte Hornets 66 mi
- 8D-ICurry Arena — Queens Royals 66 mi
- 9D-IDale F. Halton Arena — Charlotte 49ers 66 mi
- 10D-IDean Smith Center — North Carolina Tar Heels 66 mi
Questions about Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Where do the Wake Forest Demon Deacons play home games?
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons play at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
How many people does Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum hold?
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum seats 14,407 for basketball.
When did Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum open?
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened in 1989.
What is Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum’s nickname?
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is known as “The Joel.”
What other arenas are near Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum?
Nido & Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center in High Point is about 14 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.