The centerpiece of the Basketball Capital of the World first opened its doors in 1990
The 2023 NCAA championship banner was unveiled before a record crowd for the men's home opener at Gampel Pavilion. (UConn Athletics Photo)
Championship performances in Gampel Pavilion are nothing new to UConn Nation. But thanks to new upgrades being planned, the athletic venue is also stepping up its game to significantly improve the fan experience.
UConn's Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved a project that includes replacing and enhancing the venue's videoboard system, upgrading the show lighting, and replacing the retractable seating system in the pavilion's lower bowl.
In addition to being the home of the championship men's and women's basketball programs, Gampel also hosts Commencement ceremonies, orientation programs, career fairs, and many other events each year that will benefit from the improvements.
The project includes replacing the existing videoboard system, originally installed in 2009, with state-of-the-art displays as well as upgraded show lighting to add to the overall fan experience.
The work also involves replacing the lower bowl's retractable seating system, which dates to the opening of the facility and can be configured to provide additional floor space depending on specific event needs.
Some portions of the work are planned to take place this summer, with other portions to be undertaken in summer 2025.
UConn has implemented many projects over the years to modernize Gampel Pavilion, which first opened in January 1990 and is a storied centerpiece of the "Basketball Capital of the World" at Storrs.
The wood court was replaced last year, and other work has been done over the past several years that included replacing the roof and interior dome panels in 2017, installing a new audio system in 2020, improving Wi-Fi connectivity in 2019, adding more seats while updating locker rooms and office spaces in 2002, and other projects.
