Best Concert Venue: Colonial Life Arena

COLONIAL LIFE ARENA continues its success as Columbia’s premier live entertainment center, being voted Best Concert Venue for the fifth year in a row! Colonial Life is versatile, regularly hosting major national musical and comedic acts. The arena has brought big names such as the Hootie and the Blowfish, the Jonas Brothers and The Eagles to the heart of Columbia.

Fans routinely fill the arena with electrifying energy each winter to support the men’s and women’s basketball teams that call Colonial Life home. Those seeking a thrill in the offseason of college basketball won’t be disappointed, as events from WWE Smackdown to Monster Jam come to the venue throughout the year.

Owned by the University of South Carolina, the concert venue also plays a crucial role in student life. In January 2025, Colonial Life hosted Cockstock, a lively concert opened by Mariah the Scientist and headlined by Quavo, with reduced ticket prices for USC students.

Coming up this year, Colonial Life Arena will welcome artists like Trey Songz and Bow Wow in April, as well as comedians Katt Williams in May and Nate Bargatze in August. Also, keep an eye out for their special events, like Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo on March 7 and 8 and Disney on Ice and Monster Jam 2025 in April.