Intrust Bank Arena: A Legacy of NCAA Tournament History and Wichita's Sporting Evolution
Nestled in the heart of Wichita, Kansas, Intrust Bank Arena stands as a testament to the city's commitment to sports, entertainment, and community development. More than just a venue, it represents a significant investment in the community’s future, serving as a versatile hub for indoor sporting events, concerts, family shows, and other entertainment. Since opening in January 2010, the arena has hosted a variety of events, including NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Championship first and second rounds. This article explores the arena's history, its impact on Wichita, and its role in hosting memorable NCAA Tournament games.
The Vision and Construction of Intrust Bank Arena
In an ambitious bid to revitalize its urban core and stimulate economic growth, the city of Wichita, alongside Sedgwick County, embarked on a visionary project to construct a state-of-the-art arena in downtown Wichita. City planners recognized the potential of such a venue to serve as a catalyst for economic development, envisioning a dynamic space that would not only host a wide array of events but also attract visitors, businesses, and investors to the heart of the city. The Intrust Bank Arena, designed as a modern, first-class sports and entertainment venue, was conceived as a replacement for the aging Kansas Coliseum north of Wichita.
On November 9, 2004, Sedgwick County voters approved the downtown arena at a projected construction cost of $183,625,241 by a 52-48% vote. On April 4, 2005, Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed the Intrust Bank Arena tax bill authorizing Sedgwick County to collect a 1% sales tax beginning July 1, 2005, for 30 months.
The design of the new arena embraces a dichotomy, honoring both Wichita’s rich history and its progressive spirit. Wichita’s Old Town was shaped in the early 1900s with brick buildings originally built as warehouses and factories. Designed for durability, these structures featured raw steel doors, brick walls, and concrete or wood floors that defined their functional interiors. Today, these buildings are being repurposed into commercial, retail, and residential spaces, where their industrial aesthetics are highly valued as distinctive design elements.
The Cosmopolitan style envisions a future for Wichita, highlighting its transformation from a cowtown to the Air Capital of the World and symbolizing its progress, growth, and sophistication. Drawing inspiration from cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, this style features sleek metal lines and expansive glass, creating a striking “wow” factor that seamlessly blends polished exterior elements with interior spaces.
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To visually harmonize the large arena among Old Town’s smaller buildings, about two-thirds of its north side is designed with red brick as a 70-foot-high “box” that mirrors nearby brick buildings. In contrast to the historic theme of the north face, the south and west facades feature smooth stone panels and expansive glass curtain walls.
On December 4, 2007, a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on the Intrust Bank Arena, the largest construction project undertaken by Sedgwick County up to that time. On January 10, 2008, Sedgwick County announced it had reached a 25-year, $8.75 million naming rights deal with Wichita-based Intrust Bank, the largest bank headquartered in Kansas.
A Multi-Purpose Venue
Intrust Bank Arena is a 15,004-seat multi-purpose arena in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is located on the northeast corner of Emporia and Waterman streets in downtown Wichita. It is owned by the government of Sedgwick County. The arena features 22 suites, 2 party suites, and over 300 premium seats. The arena is the second largest indoor arena in the state of Kansas, behind Allen Fieldhouse at KU, which seats 15,300. It is home to Wichita Thunder (ice hockey team) and previously to Wichita Force (indoor football team).
Since opening in January 2010 with a sold-out Brad Paisley concert, Intrust Bank Arena has hosted many of the nation’s top tours including Garth Brooks, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac, George Strait, Pink, Elton John and Billy Joel, Taylor Swift, Eric Church and more. In addition to concerts, the Arena has proven to be a great venue for college athletics hosting the Wichita State University men’s basketball team annually, the NCAA 2011 Women’s Basketball Championship first and second rounds and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship first and second rounds.
Intrust Bank Arena reached its one millionth ticket sold in 2012 at the sold-out Jason Aldean concert and its two millionth ticket sold in 2015 at the Florida Georgia Line concert. On the occasion of celebrating a major milestone, the SMG-managed INTRUST Bank Arena reached three million tickets sold and hosted its three millionth ticketed fan at a Wichita State men’s basketball game. Brian Green was surprised at the game with the news that he was the lucky three millionth guest. INTRUST Bank Arena staff presented Brian Green, and his son Channing Green, with a prize package which included courtside seats to today’s game, a commemorative ticket which was presented to them during an in-game presentation at half-court and a swag bag full of merchandise from both INTRUST Bank Arena and Wichita State.
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NCAA Tournament History at Intrust Bank Arena
Intrust Bank Arena has a rich history of hosting NCAA basketball tournaments, showcasing its ability to provide a top-notch experience for players and fans alike.
2011 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
In 2011, women’s play returned NCAA basketball to Wichita when Intrust Bank Arena hosted first and second-round games for the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament.
2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
The arena further solidified its reputation as a premier basketball venue when it hosted first and second-round games for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2018. This event brought significant attention and economic activity to Wichita, showcasing the city's ability to host major sporting events.
2022 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament
Wichita landed the regional round in the 2022 women’s tournament. The arena hosted Sweet 16 and Elite 8 games in the 2022 women's tournament, further cementing its status as a key venue for women's college basketball. South Carolina emerged from the Wichita Regional to the Final Four on their way to the title game.
Future Tournaments
Looking ahead, Intrust Bank Arena is scheduled to host 1st and 2nd-round games of the men's tournament in 2025, ensuring its continued role in the NCAA Tournament landscape. The arena was scheduled to host the 2021 tournament, until the NCAA announced all games would be held at the state of Indiana due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Wichita State Shockers and Intrust Bank Arena
While Intrust Bank Arena provides a neutral site for NCAA tournament games, it also holds significance for the Wichita State Shockers. In addition to Koch Arena, the Shockers have played one game for each of the last eleven seasons (except 2020-21) across town at the Intrust Bank Arena.
The Shockers have made 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament, reaching the Final Four twice, the Elite Eight four times, and the Sweet Sixteen six times. They made their first Final Four appearance in 1965 losing to UCLA 108-89. In 2014, Wichita State defeated the Northern Iowa Panthers in the regular season finale for their 9th Missouri Valley conference regular season title, becoming two-time defending MVC champions.
The Shockers have played their home games at Charles Koch Arena, a 10,506 seat on-campus arena, since 1953. Originally known as the University of Wichita Field House, it was officially renamed Levitt Arena in 1969. Following a $6 million endowment from Charles G. Koch the arena underwent a $25 million renovation in 2002-03, popularly known as the "Roundhouse Renaissance." The Shocker basketball teams played at the Kansas Coliseum for the 2002-03 season while the arena was rebuilt.
The Arena's Impact on Wichita
INTRUST Bank Arena has consistently proven itself as a cornerstone of entertainment and economic activity in Wichita, with its success growing year after year. Over its first decade, the arena generated an estimated $168 million in new economic activity, driven by over 3.8 million guests attending 890 diverse events. This activity included $100 million in direct visitor spending, encompassing retail, hotel stays, and event revenue, along with $12 million in tax revenue.
The arena just celebrated its 15th anniversary and has played a major role in the expansion of Wichita as a cultural center.
Beyond the economic impact, Intrust Bank Arena has become a source of pride for the Wichita community. The arena’s design process also became fodder for humor. Fifteen years later, the arena’s success has quieted much of the early skepticism. The project has become a celebrated achievement, praised for its role in revitalizing downtown Wichita.
Visiting Wichita for NCAA Tournament Games
Wichita’s DNA is full of travel and basketball; it houses two unique flight-focused attractions and a world-renowned space museum just a short drive away. The state proudly boasts powerhouse University of Kansas Jayhawks as well the respectable Kansas State. And then there’s the Wichita State Shockers, who in 2013 entered the tournament as a huge underdog and went on an unbelievable run to the Final Four. Current NBA stars Fred Van Vleet and Austin Reeves both played at Wichita State; the city has basketball pride you won't be able to ignore while you’re in the building at this year’s tournament.
For something ultra-local and great for young traveling hoops fans, hop in a rideshare and head toward Wichita State’s campus for a The Field House. Located in an old building with low ceilings and a lack of light befitting a college bar, this sports bar keeps prices aimed at students (read: low) and you can play darts, foosball, or the jukebox.
A bit further east Deano's Grill and Tapworks caters to a wider age bracket and has a variety of options from Wichita Brewing Co. As for food, give the bottomless shoestring onions, duck wings, or one of their many oven fired pizzas a try.
About a 15 minute drive away from the arena, you’ll find the ultra-popular Miya Izakaya, which serves up Japanese and Korean fare and is known for their karaoke. Any menu where you can order fries and an authentic sushi roll deserves your attention. Their Korean fried chicken is a must-order!
Pumphouse should also be on your list, especially if you’re in the mood to walk off a loss (or in-arena food). Located near the arena, they offer specialty Midwest items (don’t ever visit a city in this region without ordering cheese curds) and specialty pizzas like the beer, pig, & cheese.
Housed in an old airport terminal, Kansas’ Aviation Museum is a worthy stop. The art deco building hosts a Black aviators exhibit, a display highlighting the women of aviation, and an aviation hall of fame.
The Sedgwick County Zoo, one of the 10 largest in the country, is a great place to play a March Madness-themed game. Bring a bingo card of all the mascots from the tournament and see how many you can find.
Chicken N Pickle has exactly what you're looking for. It's an entertainment complex with a fast casual dining restaurant, 10 pickleball courts, two bocce ball courts, a bar, a game room with ping pong, and TVs.
Lastly, if you’re looking to blow off some steam, swing by Axe to Grind for a classic yet therapeutic experience of heaving a medieval weapon at a wooden target. Challenge your friends and settle any lingering bets from the weekend with axes and beverages.
tags: #Intrust #Bank #Arena #NCAA #Tournament #history
