Kemper Arena

The City of Kansas City built the original American Royal Arena in 1922 for about $650,000. Ground was broken in 1991 at the same site for the new building at an estimated $33.4 million. The new American Royal building was completed in 1992.

Kemper Arena was completed in 1974 at a cost of $22 million and is owned by the city of Kansas City, Missouri. Most recently in 1997, a $23 million expansion project added 2,000 more seats, upgraded the lower level seating, added four restrooms, a handicap entrance to the arena floor, an elevator and the new east lobby.

The American Royal Association has an office located in the building along with the American Royal Museum. The American Royal Association is home to the American Royal Horse Show, Livestock Show, and Rodeo and celebrates its 100th year in 1999. The American Royal also hosts the world's largest barbecue contest the first weekend of each October.

The arena has hosted 1983, 1986, 1992, 1995, 1996 and 1997 NCAA Regional, the NAIA Tournament from 1975 - 1993, the Big VIII Basketball Tournament from 1979 to 1996, The Big XII Basketball Tournament from 1997 to 2002, the 1988 Men's Final Four and the 1998 Women's Final Four.

The Kansas City Blades, International Hockey League (IHL) called Kemper Arena home from 1990 through 2001.

Kemper Arena has been home to the Kansas City Attack, National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), since 1992. In 2001, the league disbanded and reorganized as the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and the team was renamed the Kansas City Comets.

The Kansas City Knights, American Basketball Association (ABA) stepped onto the court at Kemper Arena for the first time in the 2000 - 2001 season.