International Amphitheatre

Lore & Background

The Amphitheatre opened on April 28, 1934. It was built for $1.5 million by the Stock Yard company principally to host the International Livestock Exhibition. The arena was built on the site of Dexter Park, a baseball park that stood for over 50 years until demolished in 1933. Contrary to some accounts, the Amphitheatre did not occupy the site of the former Union Stock Yards; the Stock Yards were still active when the Amphitheatre was built.

The completion of the Amphitheatre ushered in an era where Chicago reigned as a convention capital. In an era before air conditioning and space for press and broadcast media were commonplace, the International Amphitheatre was among the first arenas to be equipped with these innovations. The Stock Yards closed in 1971, but the Amphitheatre continued to host events. By the 1980s, the venue struggled to compete with other facilities.

After a gun show in September 1983, the venue closed. It was sold to new owners for $250,000 and sat dormant. On November 27, 1987, the International Amphitheatre reopened with a game by the Loyola Ramblers college basketball team. In 1989, Loyola moved to the Rosemont Horizon.

Demolition commenced in August of 1999. An Aramark Uniform Services plant is located on the site once occupied by the Amphitheatre. No part of the former convention hall extension remains standing; the entire structure was demolished.

Reader's Guide

The arena seated 9,000 for sports. It was the first home of the Chicago Packers of the NBA in 1961–62, before becoming the Chicago Zephyrs and moving to the Chicago Coliseum for their second season. It was also the home of the Chicago Bulls during their inaugural season in 1966–67. The team played once time at the Chicago Coliseum, a playoff game in their first season, as no other arena was available for a date with the St. Louis Hawks. The Bulls moved permanently to Chicago Stadium. The Amphitheatre was also the primary home of the Chicago Cougars of the WHA from 1972 to 1975. It hosted five presidential nominating conventions: 1952 Republican, 1952 Democratic, 1956 Democratic, 1960 Republican, and 1968 Democratic. Televised boxing and wrestling were held at the venue for decades. In 1981, Joe Frazier's final boxing match was at the Amphitheatre.

Did You Know?

• The 1952 Republican National Convention at the Amphitheatre was the first political convention broadcast live by television coast to coast.
• The 1968 Democratic National Convention at the Amphitheatre was one of the most tumultuous political conventions in American history, noted for anti-war protests.
• The Beatles performed at the Amphitheatre on September 5, 1964, and August 12, 1966; the 1966 show was the first show of their last tour.