Rapides Parish Coliseum

Thanks for visiting our site.  The Rapides Parish Coliseum (often just called ‘Rapides Coliseum) contains just over 5,477 seats in the 65,000 square foot main building.  Built in 1965, the 44 year old, dome building has hosted thousands of events over the years from concerts, monster truck shows, trade shows, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), TNA Wrestling and sporting events.  The coliseum also hosts high school graduations. Some of the more famous visitors include Elvis (1977), Martin Luther King (1966), and Ronald Reagan (1975).

Additional facilities on the grounds include a 23,000 exhibition building with 18,214 square feet floor space used for tradeshows and a 65,000 square feet Agriculture complex used for livestock shows.  The Ag-arena has 16,250 square feet and the barn has 30,000 square feet.

Located on Highway 28 West in Alexandria with parking for nearly 2000 vehicles, the large lot is also used for annual events such as the Rapides Parish Fair (every October), as well as auto sales shows put on by the many central Louisiana auto and truck dealers.

Many entertainers who previously would have performed at the coliseum have moved to venues at area casinos, however, internal marketing efforts by the staff continue to bring in other large-scale events.  Some of the 2009 events included World Wrestling Entertainment and the Amicus Club Rodeo both in January,The Gaither Gospel Homecoming Tour in March, MMA Cage Fighting in April, Steubenville Catholic Youth Conference in June, and the Louisiana Hunting, Fishing and Heritage Festival and the  Shrine Circus both in August.

The coliseum is governed by a 9-member board known as the Coliseum Authority.  Its membership is appointed by the Rapides Parish Police Jury.