The new arena is expected to be complete for the beginning of the athletic season in the fall of 2028. It will address space limitations, as well as systems operations and maintenance challenges at Millett Hall, the university’s current arena. 

Built in 1968, Millett Hall originally housed one varsity sport in men’s basketball. Volleyball and women’s basketball were both added in 1974. At least $175 million would be necessary to renovate, add practice courts, and a dedicated volleyball court to Millett Hall. The building would need to be taken offline for multiple years in order to complete improvements. 

The new multipurpose arena will facilitate concurrent, student-related activities and other campus events, such as commencements, concerts, creative arts performances, career fairs, and more.

Recommended last year by a committee of faculty, staff, and alumni who reviewed potential locations, the Cook Field site also has abundant space and gives the ability to support additional facilities, including connection to potential future hotel and/or restaurants. Its location at the intersection of State Route 73 and U.S. 27 would allow for improved control of traffic flow and direct entrance and exit from State Route 73, limiting traffic congestion on campus.

Student-centered 

“This is a student-centered project that will create a vibrant new space intended to bring people together and support and engage our students,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. “A new arena will provide the foundation for an events district in the heart of campus to benefit students, reinvigorate the community, and strengthen our local economy.”

To best support student-athletes, the new arena would include more facilities than currently exist at Millett Hall, including two basketball practice courts and a volleyball arena. 

“Building this new arena would powerfully continue Athletics’ commitment to graduating champions,” said Raegan Lantz, a junior Human Capital Management and Leadership major and member of the volleyball team. “While I have a deep love for Millett Hall, real challenges make it less than ideal. Securing consistent practice times is a constant struggle. Our whole team cannot fit in our training room. These issues make balancing athletics and academics harder than it should be. A new arena would solve that. Now is the time to invest.”

Lantz added, “With recent success from our Athletics teams, a new arena would continue that momentum. Most importantly, this would be far greater than just an upgrade or a pretty building. This would demonstrate that Miami is committed to women’s sports and dedicated to the success of our student-athletes."

Amber Tretter, a junior majoring in Architecture and member of the women’s basketball team, said, “Facilities send a message. They communicate investment and priorities to student-athletes but all students as well. A new arena would help continue the momentum that both basketball programs are experiencing and help solve problems with Millett Hall right now. This is the right moment to invest in the future of Athletics. Spaces shape experiences, culture, and what is possible.”

Additional opportunities

The new arena is also expected to include additional revenue generation opportunities that Millett Hall cannot accommodate.

“A new, multi-purpose arena will provide Miami with the type of state-of-the-art facility in line with large state-funded, research-focused institutions of higher education that have strong national reputations, growing student demand, and renowned student experiences,” said Adam Beissel, associate professor of Sport Leadership and Management. “Anchoring a new multi-purpose arena within a larger mixed-use development project will open new opportunities for revenue generation, enhanced student experiences, and serve an important public purpose for the city, county, and Southwest Ohio region.”

Miami’s undefeated men’s basketball team is 28-0 and ranked No. 21 in the nation in the latest AP Top 25 men’s poll. Miami basketball is part of a wave of recent RedHawk athletic success, which has included a nationally ranked ice hockey team, a second consecutive appearance in the Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl by the football team, the first-ever Elite Eight appearance for field hockey, and a women’s basketball team that is currently at the top of the Mid-American Conference.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams have combined for a school record 51 wins this season, besting the previous mark of 44.

“There is a high level of interest in Miami athletics and we want to continue our momentum,” Sayler said. “We want this new arena to be a very special place for both our student-athletes and our fans. This will allow us to continue to compete at a high level.”

A new arena will allow the university to expand its intramural offerings as well. Intramural soccer and flag football fields are planned at Millett Hall, along with a walking path and exercise stations.

There are also plans for a multi-purpose field supporting full-size soccer fields, softball fields, flag football fields, a rugby field, a lacrosse field, and intramural soccer fields at Chestnut Fields.

Construction of new recreation facilities at Millett and Chestnut Fields is expected to begin in May 2026 and be completed in September 2026. This will allow Cook Field to go off-line in September 2026 to begin construction of the new arena.

Visit Arena Updates for more information about the multipurpose arena project.