If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the Jim Norick Arena Oklahoma City OK, you know that smell. It’s a thick, unmistakable cocktail of sawdust, popcorn, and high-stakes adrenaline. Locals call it "The Big House." Honestly, the nickname fits. For sixty years, this place wasn't just a building; it was the literal heartbeat of the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
But things look a lot different in 2026.
If you’re driving down Gordon Cooper Boulevard today looking for that iconic rounded roof, you're going to see a lot of empty sky and a very shiny, very new neighbor. The "Big House" has officially left the building. In August 2025, the roof was imploded in a plume of dust that felt, to many Oklahomans, like the end of an era.
Why Everyone Obsessed Over a 1960s Concrete Bowl
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. The Jim Norick Arena was built in 1965 for about $2.4 million. By today’s standards, that’s basically the cost of a nice house in some parts of the country. Yet, this single facility pumped over $200 million into the local economy every single year.
Most people assume it was just a place for the State Fair. That’s a massive understatement.
This was the "Horse Show Capital of the World." We aren't just talking about local 4-H kids—though they were the soul of the place. We’re talking about the American Quarter Horse World Championship Show and the NRHA Futurity. These events brought in exhibitors from every corner of the globe. If you were anyone in the equine world, winning a buckle in the Norick was the pinnacle.
The Reba McEntire and Elvis Factor
There’s this legendary bit of trivia that every OKC local loves to drop at parties: Reba McEntire was basically discovered here. Back in 1974, she was just a girl from Chockie, Oklahoma, singing the National Anthem at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Red Steagall heard her, and the rest is history.
💡 You might also like: Where to Stay in Seoul: What Most People Get Wrong
The NFR lived in the Jim Norick Arena from 1965 until 1978 before it headed off to Las Vegas. People still talk about those years with a sort of hushed reverence. It wasn't just rodeo, though.
- Elvis Presley shook the walls in 1970.
- The Grateful Dead brought their psychedelic circus in 1973.
- The Oklahoma City Blazers hockey team used to draw rowdy crowds that made the concrete vibrate.
Even the somber moments happened here. When the city needed a place to grieve after the 1995 bombing, President Bill Clinton stood on that arena floor for the memorial service. It was hallowed ground.
The Problem With Aging Icons
Buildings have lifespans. Typically, a public arena is "old" at thirty. The Jim Norick Arena pushed sixty.
By the time the city decided to pull the plug, the maintenance was becoming a nightmare. If you visited in the last few years, you noticed the cramped concourses and the seats that had seen better days. It originally sat 10,000, but by the end, they’d removed enough sections for modern safety and accessibility that it only held about 8,000.
The city had a choice: spend a fortune trying to fix a foundation that was fundamentally outdated or start over. They chose the latter through the MAPS 4 program.
Enter the OG&E Coliseum: What’s Actually Happening Now
As of early 2026, the Jim Norick Arena Oklahoma City OK has been replaced by the OG&E Coliseum. It’s a $126 million beast.
📖 Related: Red Bank Battlefield Park: Why This Small Jersey Bluff Actually Changed the Revolution
If you’re planning a trip to the fairgrounds this year, don’t expect a nostalgia trip. The new coliseum is 216,000 square feet of "everything the Norick wasn't." We're talking about actual suites, a full-service restaurant, and—thankfully—concourse areas where you don't have to turn sideways to pass someone.
One thing the city was smart about was the floor. They kept the 140' x 270' dimensions because that’s the "sweet spot" for horse shows. They didn't want to lose the very thing that made them the world capital of the industry.
Is It Still "The Big House"?
Technically, no. The new place has a corporate name and better Wi-Fi. But the spirit is trying to make the jump.
The Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) held its final "Grand Drive" in the Norick in March 2025. It was emotional. You had grandfathers who showed cattle there in the 70s watching their grandkids take the final walk on that dirt. It’s hard to replicate that kind of history with a new building and some LED screens.
However, the economic reality is hard to argue with. The new facility is projected to bring in an annual economic impact of $408 million. That’s double what the Norick was doing. It’s also adding nearly 400 new jobs to the area.
Surviving the Transition: A Guide for Visitors in 2026
If you're heading to the OKC Fairgrounds this year for a show or the State Fair, here is the ground-level reality:
👉 See also: Why the Map of Colorado USA Is Way More Complicated Than a Simple Rectangle
- Parking has shifted. With the Norick gone and the new connector being built where it once stood, the traffic flow around Gate 6 is totally different. Arrive 45 minutes earlier than you think you need to.
- The New Amenities. Don't pack as many snacks. The "upscale concessions" in the new coliseum are actually edible, which is a major upgrade from the vintage Norick hot dogs.
- The Weather Factor. The new building has significantly better HVAC. You won't be freezing in the upper deck during a February horse show anymore.
- Photography. If you want a photo of the "old" OKC, you're out of luck. The site is now a construction zone for the connector building that will link the new coliseum to the existing barns.
The Verdict on the Move
Honestly, it’s bittersweet. You can’t replace sixty years of echoes. But the Jim Norick Arena had done its job. It put Oklahoma City on the map for agriculture and entertainment when the city was still finding its identity.
Now, the city is betting $126 million that the same magic can happen in a building with better plumbing and more legroom. It’s a bold move, but in a city that’s currently obsessed with growth—from the new Devon Tower to the Thunder’s dominance—it’s the only move that made sense.
The dirt is the same. The winners will still cry. The buckles will still shine. It’s just a different roof overhead.
Check the official Oklahoma State Fairgrounds schedule before you head out, as several smaller events have shifted to the Bennett Event Center while the final touches on the Coliseum's surroundings are completed.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify Event Locations: Before traveling, confirm if your specific event is in the new OG&E Coliseum or the Bennett Event Center, as the transition has shifted some traditional layouts.
- Explore the Maps 4 Timeline: If you are a resident or frequent visitor, look into the upcoming "Fairgrounds Connector" project which will fill the physical footprint where the Jim Norick Arena once stood.
- Book Accommodations Early: With the increased capacity of the new venue, hotel demand in the West OKC/Fairgrounds area is expected to spike during the 2026 Horse Show season.