Cape Cod Coliseum was a multi-purpose

arena An arena is a large enclosed venue, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre, Music, musical performances or Sport, sporting events. It comprises a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for specta ...

located off White's Path in South Yarmouth, Massachusetts. In addition to sporting events, the coliseum hosted rock concerts. The 46,000-square foot concrete arena opened in 1972 and sat between 5,000–6,500 people. The arena was originally owned by Yarmouth real estate agent William Harrison and cost $1.5 million to build. In 1976, the arena was sold to Ed Fruean who owned Coliseum for three years before selling it to

Vince McMahon Vincent Kennedy McMahon ( ; born August 24, 1945) is an American businessman and former professional wrestling promoter. McMahon, along with his later-estranged wife Linda McMahon, Linda, is a co-founder of the modern WWE, the world's largest ...

in 1979. In 1984, McMahon sold the building to Christmas Tree Shops who chose to utilize it as a warehouse. The final event, a World Wrestling Federation event, occurred on June 4, 1984.

Sports

Vince McMahon utilized the arena for

World Wrestling Entertainment World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is an American professional wrestling promotion. It is owned and operated by TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. A global integrated media and entertainment company, ...

, then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), events from 1979 through 1984. It was home to both the Cape Cod Cubs/Cape Codders of the North American Hockey League (1973–77), the Cape Cod Freedoms of the Northeastern Hockey League (1978–1979), and the Cape Cod Buccaneers of the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (1981–82). It hosted an ESPN boxing show headlined by light middleweight contender Sean Mannion. In 1978, the Boston Lobsters played four of their 22 home matches at the Coliseum.

Concerts

The Cape Cod Coliseum was one of the regular

New England New England is a region consisting of six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York (state), New York to the west and by the ...

stops for major bands during the early 1970s until its closing in 1983. Acts ranging in style from

Jim Croce James Joseph Croce (; January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American Folk music, folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he released five studio albums and numerous singles. During this period, Croce took a series of o ...

Black Sabbath Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...

would make regular appearances during the summer months. The J. Geils Band appeared ten times while another local band,

Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of lead vocalist Steven Tyler, bassist Tom Hamilton (musician), Tom Hamilton, drummer Joey Kramer, and guitarists Joe Perry (musician), Joe Perry and B ...

, appeared five times. National touring acts such as Van Halen,

Santana Santana may refer to: Transportation * Volkswagen Santana, an automobile * Santana Cycles, manufacturer of tandem bicycles * Santana Motors, a former Spanish automobile manufacturer * Sailboat designs by W. D. Schock Corp ** Santana 20 ** Santan ...

The Clash The Clash were an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they are considered one of the most influential acts in the original wave of British punk rock, with their music fusing elements ...

The Doobie Brothers The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band formed in San Jose, California in 1970. Known for their flexibility in performing across numerous genres and their vocal harmonies, the band has been active for over five decades, with their greate ...

and

Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television host. According to ''Rolling Stone'', Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical ...

made multiple appearances.

The Grateful Dead The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in Palo Alto, California, in 1965. Known for their eclectic style that fused elements of rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, and world music with psyc ...

played the coliseum twice, on October 27 & 28, 1979.

Warehouse

In 1984, the Coliseum was sold to Christmas Tree Shops and converted to a

warehouse A warehouse is a building for storing goods. Warehouses are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, etc. They are usually large plain buildings in industrial parks on the rural–urban fringe, out ...

. After Christmas Tree Shops left the location, it served as the corporate offices of Dennis East International. As of March 2007, it houses the wares of several businesses.

References

{{Authority control 1972 establishments in Massachusetts 1984 disestablishments in Massachusetts Buildings and structures in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Defunct ice hockey venues in the United States Defunct indoor arenas in Massachusetts Former music venues in the United States Ice hockey venues in Massachusetts Professional wrestling in Massachusetts Sports in Barnstable County, Massachusetts Sports venues completed in 1972 Theatres in Massachusetts Warehouses in the United States Yarmouth, Massachusetts