Wow. Look at the Xfinity Center. This impressive arena isn’t just a basketball court. It’s a piece of Maryland history.
Originally the Comcast Center it opened in October 2002. That’s right 2002. It replaced the old Cole Field House. Cole Field House had been the home of Maryland basketball since 1955. This new arena cost a whopping $125 million. That’s over $212 million in today’s money.
The Xfinity Center isn’t just for basketball. It’s a multi-purpose venue. Think concerts. Think graduations. Even state high school basketball tournaments are held here. Its capacity is huge. For basketball games it holds 17950 people. But for concerts it can fit almost 19000.
Inside you’ll find more than just a court. There’s a 1500 seat gymnasium. There’s also a large academic support center for student athletes. Heritage Hall is a special space. It’s a 400 seat multi-purpose room. It overlooks the arena. It’s used for banquets press conferences and even pre-game meals.
The Xfinity Center boasts a state-of-the-art scoreboard. This isn’t your grandpa’s scoreboard. It’s a massive Daktronics videoboard. It has huge side and end displays. The screens can show anything from live game action to replays. It can also show graphics game stats and even advertisements all at once.
The student section is legendary. It’s one of the largest in the Big Ten. It holds 4000 screaming fans. The “Wall” is particularly intimidating. It’s a steeply pitched seating area. It’s behind the visiting team’s basket. It was designed to be a noisy and intense environment. The design reduced excavation costs and added to the team’s home-court advantage.
The Xfinity Center has seen some incredible games. From the Terrapins’ victory over undefeated Duke to the many close calls against rivals like North Carolina. This arena has witnessed history in the making. It’s a testament to the passion for basketball in Maryland. It’s a place where memories are made. Where legends are born. And where the energy is electric. This is more than just an arena. It’s a vibrant hub of college life and sporting excellence.