‘Nothing like it’: Why BBN says Rupp Arena is the heart of college basketball
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LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2025) — On game day, you’ll see lines of blue making their way toward the center of basketball in Lexington: Rupp Arena.
For 48 seasons, the Wildcats have played in front of Big Blue Nation, keeping the greatest tradition in the history of college basketball alive and well.
Now, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center is welcoming even more college basketball fans as a host site for the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
What makes Rupp such a special place to watch basketball? On senior night, pitting Kentucky men’s basketball against LSU, UKNow explored Rupp Arena to find out why fans love the iconic arena. You can watch the full video above.
“The history. There’s nothing like it. There’s nowhere you can go anywhere else in the United States and watch basketball and it’s not like being at Rupp,” said Susan Turner.
The Wildcats started playing in Rupp on Nov, 27, 1976. That first game — in front of a sold-out crowd — saw a 72-64 win for the Cats over the Wisconsin Badgers. The arena’s namesake, Coach Adolph Rupp, was in the crowd for that game, having retired as head coach in 1972. Since that first game, Kentucky is 661-85 in the beloved arena.
The history of the place hangs in the rafters, honoring the very best who’ve suited up in Kentucky blue: 45 former players, coaches and contributors.
Adding to the atmosphere are the fans. BBN shows up for the Wildcats. Excluding the season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, UK has ranked either first or second in average attendance every season. It’s no secret fans are dedicated.
Many kids grow up dreaming of attending a game in Rupp before they ever come to school at UK. Lifelong fans told us the experience is surreal.
“From not being able to go to many games growing up, and now being in the band — being courtside — seeing some of the greatest basketball in the nation is remarkable,” said Parker Dunaway, a senior and member of the UK Pep Band.
UKNow talked to other students in the eRUPPtion Zone, who shared how the memories they’ve made in Rupp will stick with them.
“It’s my senior year and this is my last game in Rupp Arena as a student. It’s been an absolute pleasure being part of the Calipari era and now the Mark Pope era,” said Anthony Fannin. “I love this stadium, and I love these fans. I hope that I can come back here when I get a little bit older and be even more part of this fan base.”
Kentucky basketball is more than just a game to Big Blue Nation — it’s a way to connect and be a part of something bigger.
“My favorite thing about Rupp Arena is how many memories it holds. There are so many people here — 20,000 strong — and everybody in here could tell you an amazing moment in this venue,” said Maggie Davis, co-host of BBN Tonight and UK alum. “And I love the way it brings our state together.”
Rupp has also hosted KHSAA Sweet Sixteens, NBA exhibitions, women’s NCAA® tournament games, concerts and more. Learn more about Rupp Arena online here.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.