Bill Harris Arena

The W. F. "Bill" Harris State Fair Arena (called Bill Harris Arena or Fair Park Arena) is a 6,000-seat multipurpose indoor arena located at the Alabama State Fairgrounds. The arena is used primarily for basketball, but also hosts concerts and other events. The arena is currently home to the Birmingham Blitz of the American Basketball Association and Alabama Outlawz of X-League Indoor Football. It has previously served as the home court for the Birmingham Magicians of the American Basketball Association. It is named in honor of Bill Harris, longtime athletics director for Birmingham City Schools.Professional teamsIn 1985, the Puerto Rico Coquis of the Continental Basketball Association considered moving to Birmingham, but discussions with the Alabama State Fair Authority did not progress quickly enough to secure a commitment. The CBA did come to the Bill Harris Arena in 1991 when the Pensacola Tornados relocated to Birmingham as the Birmingham Bandits. The Bandits played for a year before moving again to Rochester, Minnesota.The Birmingham Power of the National Women's Basketball League played home games at the arena and at Birmingham-Southern College's Bill Battle Coliseum during the 2001–02 season.