A farewell to Oklahoma’s Jim Norick Arena 

The Jim Norick Arena, located at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, has served as the stage for thousands of momentous events since it was opened in 1965. After 60 years of livestock shows, sporting events and entertainment in what Oklahomans call “The Big House,” the arena is nearing the end of its life.  

According to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, the average lifecycle for a public event facility is 30 to 40 years, and the expenses to maintain the Jim Norick were too much to justify. It will officially close in mid-2025. 

When the facility opened, it included a 10,000-person seating capacity, a 120- by 250-foot multipurpose arena floor and it cost $2.4 million to build. The arena was originally called the State Fair Arena, but was renamed in 1971 after Jim Norick, who served as mayor of Oklahoma City.   

Notable concerts held at the arena include Elvis Presley in 1970 and The Grateful Dead in 1973. The Oklahoma state basketball tournament, which takes place every spring, has also been held in the arena since it was built.  

Livestock events, including the Oklahoma Youth Expo, Cattlemen’s Congress and the American Quarter Horse World Championship Show have taken place at the facility for years—bringing in exhibitors from across Oklahoma and the country. 

 “It’s the pinnacle for all kids that grow up playing basketball, wrestling or showing livestock,” said Tyler Norvell, president of OYE and board chairman for Cattlemen’s Congress. “I think it’s one of the oldest arenas in America that’s still standing.”  

Additionally, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s National Finals Rodeo was held at Jim Norick Arena from 1965 to 1978. Oklahoma country star Reba McEntire was discovered at the 1974 NFR while singing the national anthem within its walls. 

The Jim Norick Arena also served as the location for the memorial service for the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1994, which was attended by President Bill Clinton. In some form or fashion, just about every Oklahoman has been in The Big House, as a spectator or a competitor. The arena floor is considered hallowed ground in Oklahoma, full of history—the good tears and the bad. 

The last OYE in The Big House 

Known as the world’s largest junior livestock show, OYE has been held at the Jim Norick Arena almost every year since 2002. OYE 2025, held March 10 to 21, was the last major event held at the arena before the doors close for good.  

For OYE’s final year in The Big House, a record-breaking 33,023 entries were made for cattle, sheep, goats, hogs, and ag mechanics competitions during the event. The ag mechanics contest was the largest competition ever held at OYE with more than 350 entries—including hydraulic trailers, restored tractors, patio furniture, and livestock handling equipment—from more than 500 students across the state. 

In addition to the youth, elected officials also get involved. OYE’s Legislative Showmanship event took place March 17, with a record-breaking 141 legislators and local celebrities taking part in showing market animals with the assistance of Oklahoma’s ag youth. 

For the 4-H and FFA members who exhibit their livestock each year at the event, the Jim Norick is their stage and a moment to let their hard work and dedication shine. The OYE grand drive is known for its drama and the experience it gives the exhibitors as well as the audience. 

“The Oklahoma Youth Expo has become synonymous with the Jim Norick Arena,” Norvell said. “So many people have made so many great memories there with their families and friends.” 

Norvell said he is going to miss the electric feeling of the OYE Grand Drive in The Big House. He described the moment when the stadium lights are turned down, AC/DC’s Thunderstruck fills the building, and the Hummer limo pulls into the ring—full of exhibitors that have animals showing in the grand drive.  

During the grand drive on March 21, OYE paid tribute to the Jim Norick Arena, its rich history and the future of the show going forward. The OYE Sale of Champions took place March 22, with 213 exhibitors selling their livestock for a total of $1.4 million in funds that go directly to the students. 

The grand champion market hog was exhibited by Kaleb Dorr of Wagoner FFA and sold for $30,000. The grand champion market goat and reserve grand champion lamb were exhibited by Sayde Allen of Canute FFA and brought a combined $25,000. The grand champion market steer was sold for $100,000 and was shown by Madilyn Norvell representing Amber Pocasset FFA. The grand champion market lamb was shown by Skylar Dooley of Lomega 4-H and was sold for $15,000. 

The 2025 Night of Stars Gilt Sale was equally impressive, with $1.24 million in sales on 130 lots, making it one of the highest grossing OYE gilt sales of all time. In addition to the livestock and ag mechanics competitions that took place, Oklahoma students received academic scholarships totaling just under $400,000.  

OG&E Coliseum

A 216,164-square foot arena, called the OG&E Coliseum, was recently completed right next to the Jim Norick Arena. The project was started in 2023, and costs $126 million. The events that have traditionally taken place in The Big House will be held in the new coliseum when it opens in summer 2025. Eventually the Jim Norick Arena will be torn down and a connector will be built in its place. 

Norvell said the seating capacity in the new coliseum will be between 4,500 to 7,500 depending on how it is set up for each event. The Jim Norick at its peak could seat 10,000 people, but after some seats were removed over the years—it seated about 8,000 for the last years of its use. 

“The new facility they’ve built will be second to none for equestrian and livestock events in the United States,” Norvell said. “There’s going to be a VIP area with an enclosed restaurant and bar where people can eat and watch the show. It’s just really neat.” 

He said the new arena will make moving livestock during a show an easy task. Competitors will be able to backload animals and will not have to walk them through the arena once they have finished showing. Additionally, Norvell said the area floor of the OG&E will be larger than the Jim Norick. 

According to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, the new coliseum is expected to provide a 10% increase in direct spending, an estimated $408 million in total economic annual impact and 370 new jobs will be created in the new facility. 

“I appreciate the leadership of the city of Oklahoma City and the state fair to have the vision to put this together,” Norvell said. “You’ve always got to be moving forward, and I’d say Jim Norick Arena outlived its usefulness. It’ll be sad to see it go, but it’s time.” 

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or lvilhauer@hpj.com. 

PHOTO: The OYE show staff have always put on an exciting show for the exhibitors and audience during the grand drive in the Jim Norick Arena. (Photo by Legacy Livestock Imaging.)