As Simone Biles’ Gold Over America Tour Continues, Know All About Its Iconic Salt Lake City Venue
The Gold Over America Tour train is gaining momentum, and its next stop is just on the horizon. The GOAT has left California and will be halting in Salt Lake City, Utah, this Monday (23rd September). With 7-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles leading the way, fans are once again expecting high-flying action to take over the iconic Maverik Center. The tour has garnered significant attention within the USA’s gymnastics community, especially with its return after a three-year hiatus.
Given the iconic status of the venue, it’s safe to say that the GOAT experience will be significantly elevated by all the Maverik Center has to offer. But what exactly makes the West Valley City stadium so coveted?
Originally known as the E Center, the arena hosted its first event in 1997. Built with a unique theater-style configuration, the Maverik Center can accommodate up to 12,000 fans, ensuring an intimate experience for all. Its design makes it the perfect venue for the Gold Over America Tour, where the nation’s most popular gymnastics stars are set to deliver a show of a lifetime for their fans.
Designed by renowned architect Populous, the arena boasts a cauldron-like shape in the gates of its parking lot, inspiring attendees to “Light the Fire Within.” Home to the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, the Maverik Center has earned its place as one of the most prestigious ice hockey venues in the USA. It famously hosted the ice hockey matches during the 2002 Winter Olympics, where the victorious Canadian men’s team secured the top spot on the podium. As part of their triumphant journey, the team left behind a memento, ensuring that Ed Belfour & Co. would remain immortalized in the halls of the Maverik Center.
Preserved behind a thin layer of plexiglass, the autographs of the dozen Canadian gold medalists proudly greet visitors, reinforcing the venue’s elite reputation. Grizzlies Vice President Jared Youngman considers them an integral part of ice hockey history and frequently expresses his deep admiration for their significance. “It was breathtaking to realize and know that a piece of the Olympics stayed. It’s cool to say we’re the home of the 2002 Winter Olympics, of the hockey championship games, and a lot of the games that mattered,” the lifelong hockey fan told ABC4 in an interview in 2021.
Over its more than two decades of existence, the Maverik Center has become a premier choice for many organizers to entertain fans of all ages and backgrounds. But what sets the bar so high for Biles and her squad as they prepare to bring their A-game to the arena?
Major events held at this venue
If you live in Salt Lake City, there’s certainly no shortage of things to keep you going back to the West Valley City-owned indoor stadium. From nationally broadcasted mega shows like WWE Smackdown Live, WWE Monday Night RAW Live, and Holiday Festival on Ice to family shows like Bob the Builder, Dragon Tales Live, and Arenacross have been filmed at this very location. If these weren’t enough famous musicians and music-themed shows have also mesmerized fans with their tunes from time to time.
From the iconic Pink Floyd and Elton John to generational favorites like Linkin Park and TOOL, and even American Idolepisodes, the walls of the Maverik Center have certainly been witness to the binding magic of music. Serving as a venue for the 2002 Winter Games further reiterates its national significance, as it also hosted the 2002 Winter Paralympics’ ice sledge hockey. That’s a pretty high standard to live up to, right? But the GOAT squad isn’t coming in light either. With Simone Biles leading the charge, the Gold Over America Tour promises to deliver a performance worthy of this prestigious venue.
via Getty
Along with Biles, Olympians Jade Carey, Brody Malone, and Joscelyn Roberson will give fans plenty to cheer for this Tuesday. The excitement doesn’t stop there—Stanford Cardinals’ Ian Gunther and Canadian gymnast Peng-Peng Lee are set to amp up the thrill even more. Plus, Simone’s BFF, Jordan Chiles, is another enticing name on the roster. You definitely won’t want to miss her in action as she looks to move past her own Olympic challenges. So, who will you be most excited to see when the Gold Over America Tour hits its fifth stop in just two days?
