The Bradley Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Milwaukee that opened its doors on October 1st in 1988 for an NHL exhibition game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers. Classic architecture and clean sight lines dominate Bradley Center's elegant appearance. The final cost of construction was around $90 million and it took about two years to complete. The facility wouldn't have come to be without the generous donation from local philanthropist Jane Bradley Pettit in memory of her father, Harry Lynde Bradley of the Allen-Bradley fortune, thus giving the Bradley Center its name.
The Bradley Center is home to three sports teams: the Milwaukee Bucks, the Milwaukee Admirals and the Marquette University Golden Eagles men's basketball team. The Bradley Center hosted its first NBA game on November 5, 1988, with the Bucks losing to the Los Angeles Clippers 111 - 91 before a capacity crowd of 16,633. Accommodating 18,600 attendees for basketball, 17,800 for hockey and up to 20,000 for concerts, the Bradley Center sees an estimated 2 million people walk through the door each year and is the top entertainment destination in downtown Milwaukee.
Roughly 180 events are held each year at the Bradley Center, including sporting events, community programs, family and ice shows. It's also a regular stop for many of the top touring music acts of the day. The Bradley Center also enjoys its share of national sporting events, as it has played host to the Frozen Four - the championship tournament for college hockey - in 1993, 1997 and 2006. It also has hosted numerous NCAA basketball tournament games throughout the years.
The Bradley Center offers "the Suite Life" for corporate clients who are looking to entertain business associates. Seats in the suites are top-notch and provide patrons with the little "extras" which will only add to the experience of a Bradley Center event. The complete fan experience is not only enjoying an exciting sporting or musical event, but also having entertainment, shopping and dining options that include amenities like gourmet foods and cocktails. The Bradley Center, now one of the oldest arenas still used in the NBA, is planning significant upgrades to enhance the experience for fans, as well as extending the life and increasing the vitality of the facility.
The future of the Bradley Center remains tied to the future of the Milwaukee Bucks. The lease between the two entities is nearing its end and it is unlikely the Bucks will have interest in renewing without significant improvements made to the venue. The Bradley Center can no longer generate the kind of revenue National Basketball Association teams need to remain competitive. Over a period of four to seven years, the city of Milwaukee will have to decide whether or not to build a new home for the team, or risk losing the franchise. The Bucks are owned by homegrown US Senator Herb Kohl, who has proven time and again his love for the community and his will to keep the Bucks an important part of the Milwaukee community. He can be seen frequently enjoying Bucks game in the stands at the Bradley Center.
Bradley Center
1001 N. 4th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53203
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