Colorado Flashback: See McNichols Arena Right Before Demolition

If you've been in Colorado for long enough, there's a good chance you've either heard of McNichols Sports Arena or possibly even attended a concert or sporting event there. Unfortunately, the arena was demolished in early 2000, but the memories of the legendary venue live on.

What Was Colorado's McNichols Arena?

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McNichols Sports Arena was built in the heart of downtown Denver at 1635 Bryant Street and opened its doors for the first time in the summer of 1975.

The arena served as home for the Denver Nuggets basketball team, as well as the Colorado Avalanche for a short period, and hosted countless concerts from bands like The Grateful Dead, KISS, and U2, to name a few.

In addition, McNichols, or as it was affectionately known by the locals, Big Mac, was home to the first-ever UFC event which took place in 1993.

However, things changed after The Pepsi Center (now Ball Arena) was built within a stone's throw and McNichols closed its doors for good in 1999 and was demolished roughly four months later on January 24, 2000.

What Was Colorado's McNichol's Arena Like Near the End?

Prior to being demolished, McNichols Arena held a massive auction where fans and investors bid on memorabilia from the venue such as artwork, an office door, and even a giant "A" which has served as the logo of the Colorado Avalanche since the team's inception.

While many Coloradans likely have foggy memories of McNichols, (looking at you, Deadheads,) or were too young to have spent time at the venue, if you keep scrolling you can take a virtual tour of what the arena looked like in November of 1999, nearly three months before it was demolished: