The Fort Bend Epicenter (sometimes stylized as EpiCenter) is a 230,000 square foot (21,368 m2) multi-purpose arena and event space in the Houston suburb of Rosenberg, Texas. It is the home venue of LOVB Austin in LOVB Pro. The facility comprises an 8,600-seat arena, conference rooms, a multi-purpose area, and an outdoor pavilion. The arena is owned by Stonehenge LLC, with ownership transferring to Fort Bend County following its bond repayment to the private firm by 2050.[2]
 | |
  Fort Bend Epicenter Location within Texas  Fort Bend Epicenter Location within the United States | |
| Location | Rosenberg, Texas |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 29°31′56″N 95°49′52″W / 29.532330°N 95.831139°W |
| Owner | Stonehenge LLC |
| Capacity | 8,600 (expandable to 10,000) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 15, 2021 |
| Opened | August 26, 2023 |
| Construction cost | US$120 million[1] |
| Architect | PBK Architects |
| Tenants | |
| LOVB Houston (LOVB Pro) (2025–future) | |
It is named for being at the geographic center of Fort Bend County.[3]
History
editIn 2015, Fort Bend County officials began considering building an arena that could provide more events outside of downtown Houston. A feasibility study was conducted thereafter and ended in 2018.[4] The project was unanimously approved by the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court on February 23, 2021.[5] On November 15, 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Epicenter.[4] The arena opened on August 26, 2023.
Facilities
editThe facility's arena can host large-scale events such as concerts and graduation ceremonies, while its multi-purpose area can host smaller events, such as basketball tournaments. The outdoor pavilion is intended for outdoor sports or livestock events.[3]
Notable events and tenants
editIn October 2023, All Elite Wrestling taped episodes of Dynamite and Rampage at the arena.[1]
In July 2024, it was announced professional volleyball team LOVB Houston of LOVB Pro would be playing their home matches at the arena as the first major permanent tenant. Their first match will be January 9, 2025.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b Homer, Michelle (2023-08-21). "Fort Bend Epicenter: 'Epic' new sports and entertainment venue will celebrate grand opening this week". KHOU-TV. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ Khan, Shaheryar (2023-08-21). "Fort Bend Epicenter officially opens its doors to local, national events". Community Impact. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b "Fort Bend Epicenter". Athletic Business. 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ a b deGrodd, Matt (2021-11-15). "Construction crew breaks ground on EpiCenter project". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Multipurpose conference and convention center coming along I-69 in the geographic center of the county". Fort Bend Focus. April 2021. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ Feinswog, Lee (2024-07-18). "League One Volleyball announces 2025 pro venues, six-team schedule". VolleyballMag. Retrieved 2024-08-29.