Ovens Auditorium
The Ovens Auditorium and Bojangles' Coliseum on Independence Blvd. has a rich history as an entertainment venue from concerts and sporting events to ice skating and graduations. Opening in 1955, the complex was this North Carolina metro city's first major civic auditorium. The Rev. Billy Graham addressed the dedication ceremony and in future years led his Christian Crusades as Ovens Auditorium events. Known then as the Charlotte Coliseum, it gained international attention for having the world's largest unsupported steel dome. Eleven days after its dedication, the Coliseum held its first event, the Crysler-De Soto Car Show. The following decades would bring top Ovens Auditorium events as well as being home to local, regional, and national sporting events. The venue has hosted popular shows like
Family Feud Live
and comedy shows by stand-up comedians such as
Dane Cook
. Ovens Auditorium events feature many musicians from
Travis Tritt
to
White Snake
. Get all your Ovens Auditorium tickets at StubHub.
A renovation in June 2015 brought the Ovens Auditorium seating capacity to 8,600 people with new, wider seats.
The mezzanine center and balcony center are your best bets for great seats. However, Ovens Auditorium seating is designed for maximum viewing from all sections.
You can get to Ovens Auditorium by public bus by taking the No. 27 bus. Nearby stops are Chipley Avenue and Monroe Road.
Ovens Auditorium parking lots open two hours before the beginning of an event. Rates vary, and the lots accept cash and Discover, Mastercard and VISA credit cards. Please note that the Park Expo Center parking lot is not a part of the Ovens complex and may have different policies and prices.
The Starlight Lounge serves snacks and drinks. Enjoy mixed drinks, wine by the glass and a selection of domestic and imported beers before Ovens Auditorium events. The lounge also serves soft drinks and bottled water along with potato chips, crackers and a variety of candy bars.
Wheelchair seats are scattered throughout the orchestra section along with seating for three companions. Parking is also available for guests with disabilities on Arena Boulevard. Parking attendants can direct you there. Spaces are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Some events allow picture taking without a flash, but most do not. Camera lenses must be less than three inches long, and those devices with video capabilities are not allowed.