Construction on the Bradley Center began in October 1986 and the building opened in October 1988 at a total cost of $71 million. The first game played at the Bradley Center was the Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks on October 1, 1988. The Bradley Center is home to three sports tenants: the NBA Milwaukee Bucks, the Marquette men's basketball team, and the AHL Milwaukee Admirals. The facility hosts an estimated 2 million people each year and continues to be the No. 1 entertainment destination in Downtown Milwaukee.

The Bradley Center, home to Marquette Basketball in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was a gift to the people of Milwaukee, from Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Pettit, in memory of the late Jane Bradley Pettit's father, Harry Lynde Bradley. Bradley was a co-founder and chairman of the Allen-Bradley Company. The Bradley Center is the only major, public assembly facility in North America with construction underwritten through the philanthropy of a single family. Its construction and continuing operation represent a gift to all the people of the State of Wisconsin.

Unlike Marquette's former home, the MECCA, the Bradley Center features a full-color electronic scoreboard, complete with video replay of Warrior slam dunks and three-point shots. Closed-circuit television screens at the 12 concession stands will permit fans to “take a break” wihout missing “the break.” Other features include a glass-enclosed atrium entrance area, with two grand staircases, optimal “sight lines” for every seat in the house and 59 suites (a number which has changed since.

• 18,600 attendees for basketball
• 17,800 attendees for hockey
• 20,000 attendees for concerts
• Total area of 550,000 square feet
• 16 escalators
• 2 elevators
• 12 permanent concession stands
• 24 public restrooms
• Approx 6 acre site

Game nights at the Bradley Center are electric. Marquette's first game at the Bradley Center took place on Dec. 2, 1988, when it recorded a 70-60 win over Rice. The largest crowd ever to see a game in the state of Wisconsin took place at the Bradley Center on Mar. 3 2007 when 19,021 saw No. 20 Marquette defeat No. 17 Pittsburgh 75-71.

Other recent records include:

• 19,037 against DePaul on Jan. 26, 2008
• 19,020 against Wisconsin on Dec. 9, 2006
• 19,007 against Pitt on Feb. 18, 2006
• 18,874 against Notre Dame on Jan. 20, 2006

The Warriors/Golden Eagles have drawn over 3.3 million fans who continue to make the Bradley Center one of America’s toughest venues.

http://www.seats3d.com/ncaa/marquette_university/bradley_center/