Knight Center Complex

James L. Knight Center
	Interactive map of James L. Knight Center
Former names	James L. Knight Convention Center (1982–86); James L. Knight International Center (1986–2013)
Address	400 SE Second Avenue
Location	Miami, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates	25°46′15″N 80°11′28″W / 25.77083°N 80.19111°W
Owner	City of Miami
Operator	ASM Global
Construction
Opened	October 2, 1982; 43 years ago
Renovated	1997, 2005
Expanded	1986
Construction cost	~$10 million
Tenants
	Miami Hurricanes (NCAA) (1985–88); FIU Panthers (NCAA) (1983–86)
Website
	jlkc.com

The James L. Knight Center is a contemporary entertainment and convention complex located in Downtown Miami, Florida. Located within the Miami Central Business District, the venue opened in 1982. The complex is named after famed newspaper publisher, James L. Knight. Since its opening, the complex has hosted many business, entertainment and political events. Annually, it hosts Miami Dade College graduation ceremonies. It also hosted Miss Universe in 1984 and 1985, Miss USA in 1986 and Miss Teen USA in 1985 and the OTI Festival 1989. Most recently, the CONMEBOL hosted the draw for the 2024 Copa America™ Group Stage at the James L. Knight Center.

History

The complex originally was built to be an exhibition hall for the downtown Miami area, to attract business conferences, trade shows and conventions. Previous conventions were held at the Miami Beach Convention Center. However, the business atmosphere for Miami Beach began to decline. City officials saw this as an opportunity to claim the market for the blossoming downtown business district.^[1] The space, known as James L. Knight Convention Center, was the project of the City of Miami.^[2] During its construction, the University of Miami sought a sports arena for its revitalized basketball program. Newspaper publisher James L. Knight donated over one million dollars towards the cost of the arena.^[3] The space became known as the University of Miami Auditorium.

Along with the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the complex opened October 2, 1982, to the public. Although this venture was promising for the city government, it proved to be very costly. Although the center hosted many events, it was not able to draw large convention crowds due to its limited size.^[4] The venue began to accumulate debt for the county and city officials were unsure of how to solve the problem. Taxes were increased to handle the $5 million annual operating costs and debt for the venue.^[5] In 1983, the FIU Sunblazers men's and women's basketball team used the UM Auditorium until the completion of the Sunblazer Arena in 1986.^[6] Shortly after, the newly reestablished Miami Hurricanes men's basketball team occupied the auditorium and the center was revitalized.^[7]

To meet demand, the city looked to expand the Knight Center to be used for large conventions, which would not only gain higher revenue for the city, but also solve the city's growing unemployment issue.^[8] Concurrently, the University of Miami were also looking to build upon the athletic success of the auditorium by adding a public meeting space and lecture hall.^[9] During this time, the auditorium hosted many events, including the NWA Wrestling's Clash of the Champions televised event in June 1988 and two concert appearances for the band R.E.M.^[10]

The Knight Center became used primarily for concerts when the Hurricanes moved into Miami Arena in 1988, and became the original home of the annual Premios Lo Nuestro ceremony in the 1990s, remaining until the ceremony moved into the newly completed Waterfront Theater at American Airlines Arena in 2000.

In February 1994 the game show Wheel of Fortune taped episodes at the Knight Center.^[11] 7 years later in November 2001 Wheel of Fortune would again tape at the Knight Center; however, the audience size was reduced following the September 11 attacks.^[12]

On July 7, 2021, professional wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) hosted a special episode of their weekly television show AEW Dynamite called Road Rager at the arena.^[13]^[14] AEW would return to the Knight Center in October 2021 to tape another episode of Dynamite and two episodes of its other weekly television show, AEW Rampage.^[15]^[16]^[17]

Facilities

James L. Knight Center Theater (formerly the James L. Knight Center from 1982 to 2013)
- Miami Convention Center
  - Riverfront Exhibition Hall
    - North Hall
      - Central Hall
      - South Hall
- Riverwalk & Dockage
Miami Conference Center
- Ashe Auditorium
- Miami Lecture Hall
Hyatt Regency Hotel
- Regency Ballroom
- Riverwalk Cafe
- Riverwalk Deli
- Pure Verde

Location

The complex is located along the Miami River near Bayfront Park. Also in the area is Mary Brickell Village, Gusman Center for the Performing Arts and New World School of the Arts. The complex is serviced by the Knight Center station for the Metromover.

Venue Gallery

James L. Knight Center Theater - Front View
James L. Knight Center Theater - Floor View
James L. Knight Center Theater Lobby
Ashe Auditorium at the James L. Knight Center
Ashe Auditorium at the James L. Knight Center
Ashe Auditorium Lobby at the James L. Knight Center
Riverwalk & Dockage View at the James L. Knight Center
Riverwalk & Dockage View at the James L. Knight Center
Riverwalk & Dockage at the James L. Knight Center
Riverfront Hall at James L. Knight Center - Miami Convention Center
Riverfront Hall at James L. Knight Center - Miami Convention Center
Miami Lecture Hall at the James L. Knight Center
Miami Lecture Hall at the James L. Knight Center

References

^ "Knight Center a costly dream". Miami Herald. 1999-07-04.
^ Brubaker, Dale (1982-10-09). "This is the magic of Miami". The Miami News. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
^ "James L. Knight". Miami Herald. 1991-02-06.
^ "Local rivalries spell trouble in convention city". The Miami Herald. 1983-02-10.
^ "Join the Consortium". Miami Herald. 1984-09-13.
^ "FIU plays Knight Center opener". Miami Herald. 1983-12-15.
^ Otterson, Chuck (1983-10-13). "Basketball Returns to Miami in 1985". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
^ Lynch, Ray (1986-01-07). "5,000 jobs foreseen in exhibit hall plan". The Miami News.
^ "UM: Put new hall near Knight Center". Miami Herald. 1986-01-16.
^ Gleason, Holly (1986-11-25). "R.E.M. improves concert presence". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
^ Scott McKenzie Wheel of Fortune. Youtube.
^ Wheel of Fortune (Monday, November 5, 2001). Youtube.
^ Gagnon, Joshua (June 30, 2021). "Andrade In-Ring Debut, Title Match Set for AEW Dynamite: Road Rager". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
^ Gagnon, Joshua (July 7, 2021). "AEW Dynamite Road Rager Preview: Street Fight, Strap Match". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
^ Coder, Brie (October 15, 2021). "AEW Rampage Preview (10/15): CM Punk in Action, Danielson Vs. Suzuki on the "Buy In"". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
^ Ounpraseuth, Jason (October 16, 2021). "AEW Saturday Night Dynamite Results: New AAA Tag Champions, Bryan Danielson Vs. Bobby Fish". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
^ Coder, Brie (October 22, 2021). "AEW Rampage Preview (10/22): PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo II, women's Title Defense, more". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

External links

Official website

Preceded by

Kiel Auditorium

St. Louis, MO

Miss Universe venue
1984–1985

Succeeded by

Atlapa Convention Centre

Panama City

[1] "Knight Center a costly dream". Miami Herald. 1999-07-04.

[2] Brubaker, Dale (1982-10-09). "This is the magic of Miami". The Miami News. Retrieved 8 December 2010.

[3] "James L. Knight". Miami Herald. 1991-02-06.

[4] "Local rivalries spell trouble in convention city". The Miami Herald. 1983-02-10.

[5] "Join the Consortium". Miami Herald. 1984-09-13.

[6] "FIU plays Knight Center opener". Miami Herald. 1983-12-15.

[7] Otterson, Chuck (1983-10-13). "Basketball Returns to Miami in 1985". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 8 December 2010.

[8] Lynch, Ray (1986-01-07). "5,000 jobs foreseen in exhibit hall plan". The Miami News.

[9] "UM: Put new hall near Knight Center". Miami Herald. 1986-01-16.

[10] Gleason, Holly (1986-11-25). "R.E.M. improves concert presence". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved 8 December 2010.

[11] Scott McKenzie Wheel of Fortune. Youtube.

[12] Wheel of Fortune (Monday, November 5, 2001). Youtube.

[13] Gagnon, Joshua (June 30, 2021). "Andrade In-Ring Debut, Title Match Set for AEW Dynamite: Road Rager". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

[14] Gagnon, Joshua (July 7, 2021). "AEW Dynamite Road Rager Preview: Street Fight, Strap Match". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

[15] Coder, Brie (October 15, 2021). "AEW Rampage Preview (10/15): CM Punk in Action, Danielson Vs. Suzuki on the "Buy In"". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

[16] Ounpraseuth, Jason (October 16, 2021). "AEW Saturday Night Dynamite Results: New AAA Tag Champions, Bryan Danielson Vs. Bobby Fish". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

[17] Coder, Brie (October 22, 2021). "AEW Rampage Preview (10/22): PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo II, women's Title Defense, more". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved December 16, 2021.

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v t e Miami Hurricanes men's basketball
Venues	Miami Beach Auditorium (1960s–1970s) Knight Center (1985–1988) Miami Arena (1988–2002) Watsco Center (2003–present)
Culture & lore	Sebastian the Ibis 2011 athletics scandal 2017–18 corruption scandal
People	Head coaches Statistical leaders
Seasons	List of seasons 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26
NCAA Final Four appearance in italics

v t e Miami Hurricanes women's basketball
Venues	Miami Beach Auditorium (1972–1985) Knight Center (1985–1988) Miami Arena (1988–2002) Watsco Center (2003–present)
Culture & lore	Sebastian the Ibis
People	Head coaches
Seasons	List of seasons 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26

v t e Music venues of Florida
Outdoor	Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Camping World Stadium Capital City Amphitheater Coral Sky Amphitheatre Daily's Place Daytona Beach Bandshell FIU Stadium Hard Rock Stadium Klipsch Amphitheater LoanDepot Park MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre Mizner Park Amphitheater Pompano Beach Amphitheater Raymond James Stadium St. Augustine Amphitheatre Sunset Cove Amphitheater TIAA Bank Field Universal Music Plaza Stage
Arenas	Addition Financial Arena Benchmark International Arena Bradenton Area Convention Center Bud Adams Equestrian Center Donald L. Tucker Civic Center Expo Hall FLA Live Arena Hard Rock Live Hertz Arena Kaseya Center Kia Center Jenkins Arena Lee County Civic Center O'Connell Center Ocean Center Arena Pensacola Bay Center Silver Spurs Arena The Venue at UCF Tropicana Field VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena Watsco Center West Palm Beach Christian Convention Center Yuengling Center
Theaters and clubs	Beacham Theatre Capitol Theatre Club La Vela The Fillmore Miami Beach Florida Theatre Freebird Live Hard Rock Live Henegar Center Jannus Live Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium Lyric Theater Lyric Theatre Mahaffey Theater Maltz Jupiter Theatre Marina Civic Center Miami-Dade County Auditorium Murray Hill Theatre New World Center Olympia Theater Parker Playhouse Peabody Auditorium Ponte Vedra Concert Hall Ritz Theatre The Ritz Ybor Ruth Eckerd Hall Saenger Theatre State Theatre Sunrise Theatre Tampa Theatre The Plaza Live Polk Theatre YouKey Theatre
Performing arts centers	Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Broward Center for the Performing Arts Coral Springs Center for the Arts Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts King Center for the Performing Arts Knight Center Complex Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Straz Center for the Performing Arts Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
Festivals	Calle Ocho Festival Cornerstone Florida Electric Daisy Carnival Florida Azalea Festival Florida Music Festival Florida Strawberry Festival Jacksonville Jazz Festival Lakeside Jazz Festival Langerado Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival Springing the Blues SunFest Ultra Music Festival
Historic venues	Amway Arena Bayfront Center Bob Carr Theater Cameo Theater Coconut Grove Convention Center Coconut Grove Playhouse Curtis Hixon Hall Dixie Crystal Theatre Gator Bowl Stadium Hollywood Sportatorium Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Coliseum Lincoln Theatre Metropolitan Park Miami Arena Miami Jai-Alai Fronton Miami Marine Stadium Miami Orange Bowl Orange Blossom Opry Orange County Civic Center Orlando Sports Stadium Roxy Theater State Theatre Sunrise Musical Theater Tampa Stadium