Joe Louis Arena

Detroit Red Wings

About Stadium

A multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, the Joe Louis Arena primarily serves as the home-ice for the National Hockey League’s Detroit Red Wings.

The arena was completed in 1979 and is named after legendary boxer and local Detroit-native, Joe Louis.

The final price tag of the stadium was $57 million back in 1979 when it was completed, and it currently seats 20,027 fans for Detroit Red Wings hockey games.

It’s the second oldest sports arena in use by a franchise in the National Hockey League, behind the New York Rangers’ Madison Square Garden.

• 19 Steve Yzerman Drive
Detroit, Michigan 48226

• Capacity: 20,027

• Opened: December 12, 1979

History

• Construction for the Joe Louis Arena took over two years with the ground breaking on the project held on May 16, 1977 and the opening on December 12, 1979.

• Joe Louis Arena replaced the former home-ice of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Olympia, where the Red Wings had previously played their home games since 1927.

• The first event ever held at the arena was a college basketball game between the University of Detroit versus the University of Michigan back on December 12, 1979.

• The Red Wings are currently having a new arena built to replace the Joe Louis Arena. The plans got approval on July 20, 2014 for the $650 million project that will eventually serve as the home-ice for the Red Wings.

Past and Current Teams
Detroit Red Wings (NHL) (1979–present)
Detroit Pistons (NBA) (1985)
Detroit Drive (AFL) (1988–1993)
Detroit Turbos (MILL) (1989–1994)
Detroit Compuware Ambassadors (OHL) (1991–92)
Detroit Junior Red Wings (OHL) (1992–1995)
Detroit Rockers (NPSL) (1996–2000)