The Milwaukee Wave is an American professional indoor soccer team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin . Founded in 1984, they have been the oldest continuously operating professional soccer team in the United States and are seven-time league champions, most recent being the 2018–19 champions of the Major Arena Soccer League .
37-724: The team plays their games at the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena . The team colors are black and yellow. The team has won 7 league championships in their history, three in the NPSL, three in the MISL, and one in the MASL. The team was founded on August 3, 1984, as a member of the American Indoor Soccer Association and played in every season and incarnation of that league (see MISL ). They have also played in
74-575: A 37,506-square-foot (3,484.4 m ) ballroom . The expansion that was opened in 2024 provided an additional 111,000-square-foot (10,300 m ) giving the convention center's approximately 300,000-square-foot (28,000 m ) of exhibition space. Artist Vito Acconci created an indoor-outdoor sculpture titled Walkways Through the Wall . Designed to integrate private and public space, these curled terra cotta colored concrete strips flow through structural boundaries and provide seating at both ends. Art
111-427: A second ballroom, which is 35,000 square feet (3,300 m ) in size. The new exhibition space also includes 24 new meeting rooms, increasing the convention center's total to 52. Other additions the expansion includes are an outdoor terrace, six additional loading docks , 400 new indoor parking spots, new public art, a second kitchen, The expansion is being built atop land previously occupied by parking lots on
148-454: A sold-out crowd of 10,783 for the 2005 championship game , where Milwaukee defeated Detroit 59–58. Since the 1960s, the Arena has held a number of concerts by high-profile performers. The Beatles headlined a performance in the Arena as part of their historic 1964 U.S. tour, and Elvis Presley performed 2 back-to-back shows at the Arena in 1972. He would return again in 1974 and 1977, with
185-561: Is a convention and exhibition center located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin . The center is part of a greater complex of buildings which includes the UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena and the Miller High Life Theatre , and was a replacement for the former Great Hall portion of the MECCA Complex. The convention center hosted the 2020 Democratic National Convention . The event was initially planned to be held in
222-723: Is part of a larger downtown campus, that includes the Milwaukee Theatre and Wisconsin Center . It currently serves as the home to the American Hockey League 's Milwaukee Admirals , NCAA Division I Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team, and Major Arena Soccer League 's Milwaukee Wave . It was formerly home to the Milwaukee Hawks (1951–55) and Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA (1968–1988), and hosted
259-770: The Chicago Rush . The Iron played their 2010 regular season home games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, but the ongoing installation of the new center court scoreboard in that venue forced the home playoff games to be played at the U.S. Cellular Arena, where the Iron would go on to win. The arena has been the home of the Milwaukee Panthers men's basketball team at three different times—first from 1993 to 1998, then from 2003 to 2012, and since 2013. The Panthers played their 2012–2013 home games at
296-801: The Xtreme Soccer League and the third version of the MISL . The team is currently a member of the Major Arena Soccer League . Milwaukee also hosted the 2003 and 2006 MISL II All-Star Games. Keith Tozer was the team's coach for 21 years before leaving to become United States national futsal team head coach. While with the Wave, he was the all-time winningest coach in North American indoor soccer, with six league championships and more than 700 wins. The Wave played in
333-535: The "polkalator", it consisted of an escalator with 22 photos of polka dances on the wall, and a button labeled "Push to Play Polka" that played a random selection from 200 songs. Most of the photos were taken at a 1976 party in Milwaukee celebrating the United States bicentennial . In 2021, the venue suggested the removal of a photo with a man sticking out his tongue, but Blau refused because he considered
370-529: The 1977 NBA All-Star Game . The venue was also home to Marquette University 's men's basketball team from 1974 to 1988. The arena opened in 1950 and was one of the first to accommodate the needs of broadcast television. It was folded into MECCA (The Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena) when the complex opened in 1974. It is also known for its former, uniquely painted basketball court by Robert Indiana in 1978, with large orange 'M's taking up both half-courts representing Milwaukee. The Indiana floor
407-532: The 2014–15 season began, the Wave replaced their traditional green artificial turf with a black turf to match the team's colors and marketing strategy. Reception by fans and the press was mixed but generally positive. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality. * Regular season ended early due to
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#1732790098631444-454: The 3,500-seat Klotsche Center on UWM's east side campus. The move generated complaints from some Panthers fans and attendance lagged as the team had its worst record since the 1990s. After Amanda Braun was named UWM's athletic director in March 2013, she said she would re-examine the decision to move games from the U.S. Cellular Arena. In July 2013, UWM officials reached a 5-year contract with
481-721: The COVID-19 pandemic * Keith Tozer missed parts of the 1997–98 & 1999–00 season coaching the US Futsal team . Both times, Art Kramer filled in. UW%E2%80%93Milwaukee Panther Arena The UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (originally the Milwaukee Arena and formerly MECCA Arena and U.S. Cellular Arena ) is an indoor arena located in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . The arena, which seats as many as 12,700 people and offers 41,700 square feet (3,874 m ) of floor space,
518-753: The Champions XXXIV (1997) and Mayhem (2000) . It also hosted the World Wrestling Federation 's King of the Ring (1996) , and Over the Edge (1998) . It was at the aforementioned King of the Ring card where Stone Cold Steve Austin first uttered his now-famous "Austin 3:16" catchphrase . It was scheduled to host the April 1, 2020 edition of All Elite Wrestling Dynamite before coronavirus-related public assembly concerns postponed
555-551: The Wisconsin Center District that was set to run through 2018 before the 2014 naming rights deal extended the partnership through at least 2024. In 2014, the arena was renovated to install new seats in the lower bowl, a new scoreboard, and updated signage to reflect the name change. On March 16, 2016, it was announced the Admirals signed a 10-year lease with a five-year mutual extension. Also included on
592-506: The arena the official site for major UWM events such as graduation ceremonies and university-hosted speakers. In 2021, UWM received a 25% reduction in their 2020 payment, equivalent to $ 87,500, after the COVID-19 pandemic left the arena nearly empty for the year. Midwest Express Center The Baird Center (formerly Wisconsin Center, Midwest Express Center , Midwest Airlines Center , Frontier Airlines Center , and Delta Center )
629-406: The artwork a fixed set. The installation was removed on August 18, 2023, during the building's expansion project. Blau led an event to document the escalator on its last day. The Baird Center returned the artwork to Blau, who said it would be difficult to find a new venue for it. The convention center was opened in two phases: the first was completed in 1998, and the second completed in 2000. It
666-441: The block of the convention center between West Wells Street and West Kilbourn Avenue. In May 2022, the Wisconsin Center District board disclosed that the final cost of the expansion would likely be double the original estimate of $ 420 million, with the board laying blame on inflation . It ultimately cost $ 465 million. The expansion was substantially completed on March 29, 2024, and was officially opened on May 16, 2024. When
703-471: The bonds over a 40-year period, through Milwaukee County hotel, restaurant, and car rental taxes levied by the Wisconsin Center District, with debt payments beginning in 2027. Site work for the expansion began in the summer of 2021. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 28, 2021. Designed by Eppstein Uhen Architects and tvsdesign, the expansion differs in architectural style from
740-675: The carrier's recent expansion at Milwaukee's General Mitchell International Airport . The facility changed its name from the Frontier Airlines Center to the Delta Center effective from September 19, 2012; signage was replaced accordingly in November. On June 30, 2013, Delta terminated its naming rights at the center and the facility was officially renamed the "Wisconsin Center" the following day. In March 2023, local investment firm Robert W. Baird & Co. purchased
777-601: The circuit's Milwaukee show to August 25, 2021. The arena opened as Milwaukee Arena in 1950 before changing its name to MECCA Arena once the Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena (MECCA) complex formally opened in 1974. In 1994, when the Wisconsin Center District was created, the MECCA name was retired and the arena became Wisconsin Center Arena. Telecommunications company U.S. Cellular became
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#1732790098631814-536: The classic blue police call box. Within this area are planters containing ginkgo trees and a large monument with four limestone lion heads set in relief . These architectural elements were salvaged from the AT&;T building that once stood nearby. The expansion that opened in 2024 differs architecturally, featuring a glassy and modern design. These initial segments of the building contained 188,695 square feet (17,530.3 m ) of contiguous exhibit space along with
851-572: The construction management contract for the expansion. In February 2020, the Milwaukee Common Council granted the Wisconsin Center District Board approval to finance the planned $ 420 million expansion to the venue. In April 2020, the Wisconsin Center District Board approved the expansion. In the autumn of 2020, the Wisconsin Center District sold bonds to finance the expansion. Plans are to pay off
888-416: The convention center opened in the 1990s, its naming rights were initially sold to Midwest Airlines . On April 13, 2010, Republic Airways Holdings CEO Bryan Bedford announced that the name would change to Frontier Airlines Center, coinciding with the consolidation of brands between Frontier Airlines and Midwest Airlines. On August 15, 2012, Delta Air Lines purchased the building's naming rights as part of
925-547: The convention center's naming rights. This took effect on July 1, 2023. Alongside the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee , the center hosted the 2004 Green National Convention . The first three days of the convention were held at the Hyatt Regency, while the final day was held at the convention center. The center hosted the 2020 Democratic National Convention . The event was initially planned to be held in
962-591: The deal was $ 6.3 million for upgrades to the arena, including new concession areas and a team store. On October 26, 2017, the Bucks returned to the arena for a regular season game against the Boston Celtics in honor of their 50th anniversary in the NBA. For this event, the Bucks, by agreement with Robert Indiana, installed a newly built floor featuring a duplicate of his original MECCA court for that game only. After
999-765: The end of this public promenade is a Wisconsin Historical Marker noting the location where Christopher Sholes invented the first practical typewriter , featuring the QWERTY keyboard layout . In 2008 and 2009, it was home to the Milwaukee Bonecrushers of the Continental Indoor Football League . On August 7, 2010, the arena hosted an Arena Football League playoff game between the Milwaukee Iron and
1036-427: The existing structure, being more modern and glassy. The expansion roughly doubled the venue's square footage by adding 111,000 square feet (10,300 m ) of exhibition space and 1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m ) of overall space to a total of The expansion is designed to enable the venue to hold two conventions simultaneously, with the convention center's new wing having its own separate entrance, as well as
1073-400: The first season of the Xtreme Soccer League in the 2008 – 2009 season, but moved to the new Major Indoor Soccer League for the 2009–2010 season. After the 2013–2014 season, the team announced that it was leaving the MISL along with five other teams and join the MASL. In 2014 the ownership group ROC Ventures, headed by Mike Zimmerman, became a partner in the team's ownership. Just before
1110-678: The game, the floor was temporarily moved to Menominee Nation Arena in Oshkosh , home to the Bucks' NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd . The seating capacity for basketball has changed as follows: As the MECCA, the building hosted first- and second-round games in the Mideast Regional of the 1984 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament . The arena also hosted all or part of every Horizon League men's basketball conference tournament from 2003 to 2011, including
1147-426: The latter occurring 4 months before his death later that year. In 1980, Queen performed at the Arena. Bob Dylan played a two-night stand there as part of his Fall 1981 tour, and returned in both 1999 and 2001 for one-night appearances. The Grateful Dead performed there during their spring 1989 tour. The arena has also hosted professional wrestling events, including WCW 's SuperBrawl (1992) , Clash of
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1184-557: The naming rights holder in 2000. They renewed their deal in 2007, worth $ 2.4 million over 7 years. U.S. Cellular's naming rights expired on May 31, 2014, and they did not renew their contract. On June 26, 2014, it was announced that the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM) purchased the naming rights, renaming the arena to UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena, as part of a 10-year, $ 3.4 million deal that would run through 2024, with UWM having an option to extend it through 2029. The deal made
1221-553: The nearby Fiserv Forum but was ultimately downsized due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The venue straddles West Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee. It is operated by the Wisconsin Center District, which also operates the adjacent UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre . Skywalks connect the convention center to the nearby Hilton ( Hilton Milwaukee City Center ) and Hyatt hotels. The convention center features 300,000-square-foot (28,000 m ) of exhibition space, including two ballrooms. The architecture of
1258-550: The portions of the building opened in 1998 and 2000 reinterpret the many historic German buildings found in downtown Milwaukee. Along with art-as-design features, the John J. Burke Family Collection is scattered throughout the interior. On the Vel R. Phillips Ave side of the center is an outdoor reliquary garden named City Yard . Created by artist Sheila Klein , it contains many iconic items from Milwaukee's DPW such as fire hydrants and
1295-553: Was incorporated early in the design stage; the Hilton's skywalk entrance foyer floor features a green floor mosaic in the shape of Wisconsin, with Michigan depicted in gold, Minnesota in pink, Iowa in red, and Illinois in gray. Region inlays represent area industries and dairy cows. A half-dozen flush bronze containers contain different soil types. From the venue's opening until 2023, the southwest corner held an interactive art installation by Dick Blau titled "Polka Time!" Also known as
1332-620: Was purchased by a fan in the early 2010s and is currently in storage at a storage facility in Milwaukee. In 1994, the Wisconsin Center District (WCD), a state organization, was created in order to fund the Midwest Express Center , and, in 1995 the MECCA complex was folded into this, including the Arena The WCD added the Wisconsin Athletic Walk of Fame alongside the U.S. Cellular Arena in 2001. At
1369-457: Was the largest design-build project in Wisconsin history. In 1998, $ 1.2 million of public art was installed and named the John J. Burke Family Collection. In December 2019, Eppstein Uhen Architects and tvsdesign were selected by the Wisconsin Center District to be the architecture team of the expansion project. In January 2020, Gilbane Building Company and C.D. Smith were awarded
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