Bojangles Entertainment Complex
About the BOplex
Hosting nearly 19,000 events collectively and welcoming millions of visitors from near and far, these historic venues have a special place in the city’s history. In 2019, Ovens Auditorium and Bojangles Coliseum officially became Bojangles Entertainment Complex. Called BOplex for short, the venues offer a fitting tribute to 60-plus years of joint community involvement and entertainment.
Over the years, the multipurpose venues have hosted a wide array of shows, including top-touring concerts, sporting events, family shows, comedy shows, Broadway shows, symphony and opera performances, nationally known speakers, graduations and several other diverse entertainment events.
New Connector Enhances Experiences
In the Spring of 2020, the Bojangles Entertainment Complex unveiled a new connector between Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium, officially unifying the two historic venues as one.
The $20 million project added 35,000 square feet to the BOplex and included a pedestrian connection for the two venues, pre-function lobbies, a multipurpose hospitality room, office space, a full production kitchen, an outdoor plaza, additional public restrooms, an artist corridor for performers and more. The new addition incorporated modern conveniences and amenities, including LEED-certified design, and also included the 4,400-square-foot East CLT Room, the complex's fourth rentable space.
Complex History
The historic Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium opened on Independence Boulevard in Charlotte on Sept. 11, 1955. It was the city's first civic auditorium and dedicated sports and concert venue. The celebrated coliseum has been known by many names: Charlotte Coliseum, Independence Arena, Cricket Arena and Bojangles Coliseum.
Charlotte's Home for Hockey
The coliseum served as the home base for hockey in Charlotte from 1956 to 1977 and again from 1993 to 2005. In 2015, the Charlotte Checkers, the AHL affiliate of the NHL Florida Panthers, returned to the coliseum as the anchor tenant and in 2019 the Checkers won the AHL Calder Cup Championship.
Visit the Bojangles Entertainment Complex's Official Website
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