Expo Hall

Expo Hall
Former names Tampa Fairgrounds Arena (1977–83)
Address 4800 US Highway 301 North
Location Tampa, Florida
Coordinates 27°59′26″N 82°21′45″W / 27.99056°N 82.36250°W / 27.99056; -82.36250Coordinates: 27°59′26″N 82°21′45″W / 27.99056°N 82.36250°W / 27.99056; -82.36250
Owner Florida State Fair Authority[1]
Operator Florida State Fair Authority
Capacity Indoor soccer: 9,200
Ice hockey: 10,425
Concerts: 11,926
Field size 88,000 square feet (8,200 m2)
Opened 1977[2]
Tenants
Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) (1984)
Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) (1992–1993)
Tampa Bay Tritons (RHI) (1994)
Website
www.floridastatefair.com

Expo Hall is an indoor arena located at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. It is used primarily as an exhibition hall during the Florida State Fair, but has also hosted concerts and sporting events.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies of the defunct North American Soccer League used Expo Hall for 8 of their 16 home games during the 1983–84 indoor season. At that time the arena's capacity was 9,200.[3] This would also prove to be the league's final indoor campaign before suspending operations following the 1984 outdoor season.[4]

The arena was more famously used by the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning during the team's inaugural season of 1992-1993. The facility's seating capacity of 10,425 proved too small for the Lightning, and the team relocated to the ThunderDome in St. Petersburg for three seasons, until their permanent home, Amalie Arena, was built in downtown Tampa.

In 1994 the expansion Tampa Bay Tritons of Roller Hockey International played for one season at Expo Hall before folding. Mark Messier was the owner of the club.[5]

Noteworthy entertainers to perform in concert at Expo Hall include Robert Plant, REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, No Doubt, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Peter Frampton, Stone Temple Pilots, Yes, George Michael, Santana, Beastie Boys, Alabama, Motörhead[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Expo Hall venue information". Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  2. ↑ "Tampa Bay Landmarks and Destinations". www.books.google.com. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  3. ↑ Bunch, Ken (November 8, 1983). "Arena possible site for Rowdies". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1-2. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  4. ↑ Beard, Randy (November 5, 1983). "Don't hold your breath as Rowdies unveil schedule". Evening Independent. p. 4-C. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
  5. ↑ Brown, Jr., Arthur R. (June 11, 1994). "Tritons to make roller hockey home debut". Lakeland Ledger. p. 3D. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  6. ↑ "Expo Hall Tampa Concert Setlists". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
Preceded by
first arena		 Home of the
Tampa Bay Lightning
1992 – 1993		 Succeeded by
ThunderDome
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