Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena

Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena
Map
Former namesLJVM Coliseum Annex (1989–2014)
Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex (2014–2024)
Location414 Deacon Blvd, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27105
OwnerCity of Winston-Salem
Capacity4,000
Surface200' x 85' (hockey)
Opened1989
Tenants
Winston-Salem Thunderbirds (ECHL) 1989–1992
Winston-Salem Mammoths (SHL) 1995–1996
Winston-Salem IceHawks (UHL) 1997–1999
Winston-Salem Parrots[1] (ACHL) 2002–2003
Winston-Salem T-Birds (SEHL) 2003–2004
Winston-Salem Polar Twins (SPHL) 2004–2005
Twin City Cyclones (SPHL) 2007–2009
Winston Wildcats (AIF) 2016
Carolina Thunderbirds (FPHL) 2017–present
Website
wsfairgrounds.com

The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena (formerly named the LJVM Coliseum Annex and later the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Annex) is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Winston-Salem, North Carolina built in 1989. Since 2017, it has been home to the Carolina Thunderbirds, a minor league hockey team in the Federal Prospects Hockey League.[2] It was formerly home to the Winston-Salem Thunderbirds, Winston-Salem Mammoths, Winston-Salem IceHawks, Winston-Salem T-Birds, Winston-Salem Polar Twins, and Twin City Cyclones ice hockey teams. It also serves as an occasional concert venue, hosting Bob Dylan on two occasions, in 1991 and 2002.

It was originally part of the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, which used to be part of the larger Winston-Salem Sports and Entertainment Complex, and was named the LJVM Coliseum Annex. In 2013, the city sold the Coliseum to Wake Forest University and renamed the complex and smaller arena to Winston-Salem Fairgrounds in 2014.[3] It is located adjacent to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. In 2024, the Annex was renamed to the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena.[4]

The Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Arena was home to the Winston Wildcats, an indoor football team that was part of American Indoor Football and later independent.

  1. ^ Harrington, Matt (December 2, 2002). "Minor-league hockey team to finish season in Winston-Salem". Triad Business Journal.
  2. ^ "FHL Formally Approves Expansion to Winston-Salem, NC". Official Site of the Federal Hockey League. Federal Prospects Hockey League. Archived from the original on September 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "Fairground Gets New Name". WFDD. March 2, 2014.
  4. ^ Wrege, Cambridge (March 18, 2024). "Two buildings at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds will be renamed". WS Today. 6AM City Inc.