Oklahoma City Opens $126M MAPS 4 OG&E Coliseum, Replacing Jim Norick Arena

Oklahoma City has officially opened the new $126 million MAPS 4 OG&E Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, replacing the aging Jim Norick Arena. The 216,000-square-foot venue features over 7,000 seats, upscale concessions, suites, a VIP lounge, and advanced audiovisual technology, aiming to maintain and grow the city's $400 million annual economic impact driven by horse shows, agriculture, and sporting events. Mayor David Holt and former Mayor Ron Norick, whose father inspired the original arena's name, highlighted the coliseum as a critical economic generator and a result of decades of planning and MAPS 4 voter support. The coliseum's inaugural event is the National Reining Horse Association Derby, attracting visitors from across the U.S. and 20 countries, reinforcing Oklahoma City's status as the horse show capital of the world. The project was funded primarily through MAPS 3 and MAPS 4 initiatives, hotel taxes, and other sources, with the old Jim Norick Arena scheduled for demolition. City officials emphasize the venue's year-round use and its importance to the local hospitality and tourism industries.