Where Is The US Cellular Coliseum? Location, Current Name, And 2026 Visitor Guide
The venue originally constructed and opened as the U.S. Cellular Coliseum is located at 101 South Madison Street, Bloomington, Illinois 61701.
Clarification Note: While many long-time regional residents, concertgoers, and GPS databases still reference the facility as the U.S. Cellular Coliseum, the multi-purpose arena officially operates under the naming rights moniker of Grossinger Motors Arena. It is situated in the heart of downtown Bloomington in McLean County, directly south of the historic McLean County Museum of History and the central square.
Geographic Coordinates and Exact Physical Location
The arena anchors the southwest quadrant of downtown Bloomington, occupying the block bounded by West Front Street to the north, South Madison Street to the east, West Olive Street to the south, and South Roosevelt Avenue to the west.
- Street Address: 101 S. Madison St., Bloomington, IL 61701
- County: McLean County
- Latitude / Longitude: 40.4784° N, 88.9961° W
- Facility Type: Multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment arena
- Ownership: City of Bloomington (managed via professional venue management partners)
The arena serves as a primary civic and entertainment hub for the Twin Cities metropolitan area of Bloomington-Normal, positioned halfway between Chicago and St. Louis along the historic Route 66 and Interstate 55 corridors.
Historical Transition: U.S. Cellular Coliseum to Grossinger Motors Arena
The facility opened in April 2006 under an initial naming rights partnership with wireless telecommunications provider U.S. Cellular. The naming contract spanned a ten-year term, during which the venue established itself as Central Illinois' leading indoor arena for minor league hockey, indoor football, major touring concerts, and trade exhibitions.
In 2016, following the expiration of the original ten-year naming rights agreement, the City of Bloomington approved a new long-term commercial rights agreement with the Grossinger Auto Group. Consequently, the venue was renamed Grossinger Motors Arena.
Despite this formal rebranding, the arena is frequently referred to by its original title ("The Coliseum") or "U.S. Cellular Coliseum" across legacy wayfinding signs, older online review profiles, maps, and local conversation. When programming GPS navigation units, ride-share applications, or freight transport routing in 2026, entering either name will direct you to the same downtown Bloomington location.
Transportation Routes and Regional Highway Access
Bloomington sits at the intersection of several major midwestern interstate arteries: Interstate 55, Interstate 74, and Interstate 39. Regional access to the arena grounds follows direct, well-marked civic thoroughfares.
Driving Routes from Regional Metros
From Chicago and Northern Suburbs (North): Take Interstate 55 South toward Bloomington-Normal. Take Exit 160 for US-150 / Market Street toward downtown. Follow Market Street eastbound for approximately 2.5 miles, turn right (south) onto Madison Street, and continue three blocks directly to the arena complex.
From St. Louis and Springfield (South): Take Interstate 55 North toward Bloomington. Merge onto I-55 Business North / Veterans Parkway or take Exit 157 for Center Street / US-51 Business North. Follow US-51 Business North directly into downtown Bloomington. Turn left onto Front Street and left again onto South Madison Street.
From Champaign-Urbana and Indianapolis (East): Travel westbound along Interstate 74. Take Exit 135 for US-51 Business North toward Bloomington. Proceed north on Main Street into the downtown commercial district, turn west onto Olive Street or Front Street, and enter the facility via Madison Street.
From Peoria and Quad Cities (Northwest): Follow Interstate 74 East toward Bloomington. Merge onto I-55 North briefly, take Exit 160 for Market Street / US-150 East, proceed directly into the downtown grid, and turn south on Madison Street.
Rail and Public Transit Connections
- Amtrak Passenger Rail: The Bloomington-Normal Amtrak Station (Uptown Station) is located 2.6 miles north of the arena at 11 Uptown Circle, Normal, Illinois. It offers high-speed Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle passenger lines running between Chicago Union Station and St. Louis Gateway Station. Taxis, regional buses, and rideshares run continuously between Uptown Station and the downtown arena.
- Connect Transit (Local Bus Network): Connect Transit operates multiple regional routes through downtown Bloomington. The Market Street and Front Street transfer centers sit within three walking blocks of the arena's main ticket office, allowing transit-dependent visitors easy access without requiring on-site parking.
Parking Facilities, Garages, and Ingress/Egress Logistics
Downtown Bloomington utilizes a coordinated municipal garage framework to service arena crowds without overwhelming local street parking. The City operates three dedicated parking decks adjacent to or within short walking distance of the arena entrance.
| Facility Name | Physical Location | Capacity | Walking Distance to Main Gate | Operational Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arena Surface Lot & VIP | Corner of Madison & Olive St. | ~150 vehicles | 0 minutes (On-Site) | Primarily reserved for production, ADA permit holders, and VIP ticket packages. |
| Lincoln Parking Deck | Front St. & East St. | ~500 spaces | 2-3 minutes (2 blocks east) | Covered multi-level deck; standard flat-rate event parking or hourly civic rate. |
| Market Street Parking Deck | Market St. & Center St. | ~600 spaces | 4-5 minutes (3 blocks northeast) | Multi-level covered garage; automated barrier payment machines. |
| Center Street Parking Deck | Center St. & Locust St. | ~450 spaces | 5-6 minutes (4 blocks north) | Best alternative for high-capacity events to avoid post-event traffic choke points. |
| Downtown On-Street Parking | Madison, Jefferson, & Washington | Variable | 1-4 minutes | Metered or time-limited during standard business hours; typically free evenings/weekends. |
Logistical Tip for High-Attendance Events:Exiting the surface lots immediately adjacent to South Madison Street can take up to 30 minutes following sold-out shows. For rapid post-event highway access, park in the Lincoln or Market Street decks and navigate north directly toward West Market Street (US-150) to reach I-55/I-74 without passing the arena's pedestrian exit choke points.
Arena Specifications, Capacity, and Technical Dimensions
The facility is engineered with an adaptable bowl structure capable of transitioning between an international standard ice sheet, professional basketball floor, end-stage concert setup, and wide-span open trade show exhibition layout.
- Concert Seating Capacity: Up to 8,000 spectators (depending on stage depth, mix position, and standing general admission floor configuration).
- Ice Hockey & Arena Football Capacity: Approximately 7,000 fixed bowl seats.
- Basketball Setup: 7,300 seats.
- Exhibition Floor Space: Over 18,000 square feet of clear floor span when retractable lower-bowl risers are pushed back.
- Suites and Premium Seating: Features 24 luxury suites, private club boxes, and a two-tier elevated club lounge.
- Rink Specifications: Built to NHL regulations (200 feet by 85 feet) with sub-floor refrigeration coils, removable dasher-board assemblies, and an integrated dehumidification plant.
- Attached Auxiliary Facility: The complex includes the Grossinger Motors Ice Den (formerly the Pepsi Ice Center), a full-size second sheet of public ice immediately connected to the arena footprint used for regional youth hockey, figure skating, open public skate sessions, and curling leagues.
Area Accommodations, Dining, and Surrounding Infrastructure
Because the arena is fully integrated into the downtown urban core rather than isolated on an outer suburban highway ring, visitors can walk directly to neighborhood businesses, restaurants, and hospitality services.
Walking-Distance Dining & Entertainment
- Historic Downtown Square: Located two blocks north and east, the square features local craft breweries, coffeehouses, casual eateries, and mid-tier taverns.
- Culinary Options: Establishments on Front, Main, and Center Streets offer American gastro-pub dining, Italian fare, and quick-service choices suited for pre-show dinners.
- Nightlife: Downtown Bloomington contains a high density of bars that host live music and post-event gatherings within a safe, illuminated pedestrian district.
Nearby Lodging and Accommodations
- Downtown Core (Walking Access): Upper-midscale hotel options sit within walking distance or a two-minute drive of the arena gates, including facilities adjacent to the local conference centers.
- Normal / Uptown District (2 to 3 miles north): Uptown Normal features boutique and university-adjacent lodging, situated near Illinois State University and the Uptown Amtrak Station.
- Veterans Parkway Corridor (3 miles east): The commercial retail strip along Veterans Parkway (Route 66 bypass) features national hotel chains, extended-stay suites, and full-service brand accommodations alongside prominent retail destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Arena
What is the new name of the U.S. Cellular Coliseum?
The venue is officially named Grossinger Motors Arena. The facility was renamed in 2016 when the original ten-year naming rights contract with U.S. Cellular concluded and Grossinger Auto Group secured the multi-year naming partnership with the City of Bloomington.
Where is the arena located?
The arena is located at 101 South Madison Street, Bloomington, Illinois 61701. It sits directly in downtown Bloomington, McLean County, readily accessible via Interstate 55, Interstate 74, and US Highway 51.
Are the U.S. Cellular Coliseum and Grossinger Motors Arena the exact same building?
Yes, they are the exact same physical facility. The arena opened its doors in 2006 under the name U.S. Cellular Coliseum and transitioned to the Grossinger Motors Arena moniker a decade later without any relocation or change to its primary street address.
Is the arena related to the former U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago?
No, they are two completely separate venues in different cities. U.S. Cellular Field was the Major League Baseball stadium for the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Illinois (now known as Guaranteed Rate Field), whereas the U.S. Cellular Coliseum was an indoor arena built in Bloomington, Illinois (now Grossinger Motors Arena).
Where should I park when attending an event at the arena?
Event parking is primarily available in the municipal parking garages located within two to four blocks of the arena, including the Lincoln Parking Deck (Front & East Streets) and the Market Street Deck (Market & Center Streets). Limited ADA-accessible and VIP parking is provided in the surface lots adjacent to the arena box office off Madison and Olive Streets.
Planning Your Visit
Whether you are traveling across Central Illinois for a touring concert, minor league sports, a collegiate tournament, or a corporate trade exhibition, navigating to this historic Bloomington venue is straightforward. Input 101 S. Madison St, Bloomington, IL 61701 into your preferred GPS platform, select one of the core downtown municipal parking decks on Front or Market Street to avoid event-night congestion, and arrive early to experience the dining and cultural amenities of downtown McLean County.
