The Arena | |
 | |
 | |
| Location | One University Park Drive Nashville, Tennessee,United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°6′13.80″N86°47′55.81″W / 36.1038333°N 86.7988361°W /36.1038333; -86.7988361 |
| Owner | Lipscomb University |
| Operator | Lipscomb University |
| Capacity | 5,028 (Basketball) 3,845-5,584 (Concerts) |
| Surface | Hardwood court |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | September 2000 |
| Opened | October 28, 2001 |
| Construction cost | $16.5 million ($29.3 million in 2024 dollars[1]) |
| Architect | Tuck-Hinton Architects |
| Structural engineer | Devine deFlon Yaeger, Inc.[2] |
| Services engineer | Lee Company[3] |
| General contractor | D.F. Chase Inc.[4] |
| Tenants | |
| Lipscomb Bisons (NCAA) (2001–present) Nashville Rhythm (ABA) (2004–2005) Music City Stars (ABA) (2009–2010) | |
Allen Arena is anindoor arena atLipscomb University inNashville, Tennessee. Thearena was named in honor of James C. and Linda Allen, the facility's primary benefactors. James Allen is a member of the board of trustees for the university and worked for the university at one time. The arena is primarily used for basketball and volleyball athletic events and is also used for daily chapel services and occasional concerts.[5]
Other than hosting athletic events and on campus convocations, the arena hosts many events such as dinners, concerts, area-wide worship services, and graduations (the university and Nashville surrounding high schools). The facility has been host to events such as the annualMinnie Pearl Cancer Foundation Concert, bringing entertainers such as former Vibe hostSinbad,Dana Carvey, andJay Leno.
Besides being the home of Lipscomb sports teams, it served as the home of the now-defunct Nashville franchise, theNashville Rhythm, in the revivedAmerican Basketball Association. It was also the home of theMusic City Stars, anAmerican Basketball Association team during the 2009–10 season.[5]
The Allen Arena opened on October 28, 2001, with a local worship service called "In His Hands". The Arena and adjacent parking garage was the site for the school's old McQuiddy Gym name after J.C. McQuiddy Part of the McQuiddy Gym was retained along with the adjacent Student Activities Center (SAC). Yearwood Hall, a women's dormitory, was torn down for construction of the arena.
In the first Lipscomb Bisons home game at Allen Arena, Bison Clayton Osborne made an inbounds shot from three-quarters of the court away. With no time remaining, the ball fell through the net, giving the Bisons a 78–77 victory over the North Texas Mean Green.
The arena hosted the 2008, 2009, 2019 and 2025Atlantic Sun Conference men's basketball tournaments.[5]
Due to the damage incurred to theGrand Ole Opry House during theMay 2010 Tennessee floods and because theRyman Auditorium was unavailable, Allen Arena hosted the June 5 and June 15, 2010, editions of the Grand Ole Opry.[6] In October 2013, the arena held the nationally televised44th GMA Dove Awards.[7]
Arenaseating capacity is between 4,000 and 5,000 depending upon the purpose for which it is being used, and is officially given as 5,028, which is the capacity in the format typically utilized.[8]