Opening of The Pit Arena

Date: December 1, 1966 • Location: Albuquerque, United States

The Pit, one of U.S. college basketball's premier arenas, opened on the campus of the University of New Mexico.

The Pit is an indoor arena in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serving primarily as the home venue of the University of New Mexico Lobos basketball teams. The facility opened in 1966 as University Arena but gained the nickname "The Pit" due to its innovative subterranean design, with its playing floor 37 feet (11 m) below street level. The arena is located on the UNM South Campus and has a seating capacity of 15,411 for basketball and up to 13,480 for concerts, with 40 luxury suites and 365 club seats.