LIVE ON ROUTE 66 / GUIDEBOOK
Tingley Coliseum
Albuquerque / THE ROOM
Why this room makes the map
Tingley Coliseum is the big arena at Expo New Mexico, about 11,500 seats built for rodeo and horse shows. Over the decades it has held pro hockey, pro basketball, bull riding, the Miss USA pageant and major touring concerts.
About the room
Governor Clyde Tingley secured WPA money from Franklin Roosevelt in 1937 for fairground buildings with the coliseum at the center. Construction dragged on for 17 years, and the arena was dedicated at the 1957 New Mexico State Fair and named for him.
Before you go
Expo New Mexico charges for parking, with gates on Central Avenue and on Louisiana Boulevard, and traffic backs up on event nights. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to park and find your seat, and check albuquerquecoliseum.com for the gate and fee for your event.