September 6, 2004 — FedExForum Opens on Beale Street

Quick Facts

• Date: September 6, 2004 (public open house marked the arena’s opening to Memphians)
• Location: 191 Beale Street, Downtown Memphis
• Project cost: $250 million (opened on time and on budget)
• Home teams: Memphis Grizzlies (NBA) and University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball
• Naming rights: FedEx, 20-year agreement valued at approximately $90 million (announced Oct. 16, 2002)
• Early marquee event: Sept. 25, 2004 — IBF light heavyweight title bout, Glen Johnson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
• First Tigers game at FedExForum: Nov. 6, 2004 vs. Christian Brothers

Main Story

On Labor Day 2004, thousands of Memphians lined up on Beale Street to tour the city’s new arena during a six-hour open house. The event signaled the opening of FedExForum, a purpose-built downtown venue for the Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers. Situated at 191 Beale Street—steps from the entertainment district celebrated in Memphis history—the arena replaced the Pyramid as the primary basketball venue and anchored activity in the 901’s core.

FedExForum opened on time and on budget at $250 million and brought NBA-caliber amenities to the Bluff City. In the days surrounding the opening, team officials and local leaders highlighted design choices intended to improve fan comfort and to connect the building’s look and feel to Beale Street’s music heritage. The arena quickly demonstrated its multipurpose intent: less than three weeks after opening, it hosted the Glen Johnson–Roy Jones Jr. championship fight, and that November the Tigers played their first home game there.

Legacy

Since 2004, FedExForum has helped define downtown Memphis as an active sports-and-entertainment district, drawing NBA games, college basketball, boxing, concerts, and NCAA tournament rounds. The venue has also strengthened the Beale Street corridor, with the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum located on-site—adding to the city’s storytelling about music, culture, and community. Two decades on, the Forum remains a signature gathering place in Memphis history and a year-round showcase for the 901.

Keywords: Memphis history, Beale Street, 901, Bluff City

https://www.fedexforum.com/about-our-house, https://www.fedexforum.com/plan-your-visit/know-before-you-go, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2004/09/09/Facilities-Venues/Grizzlies-Get-Solid-Turnout-For-Open-House-At-Fedexforum/, https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2004/09/02/Facilities-Venues/Fedexforum-Faces-Exclusivity-Challenge-But-Welcomes-Media/, https://www.espn.com/sportsbusiness/news/2002/1016/1446876.html, https://gotigersgo.com/facilities/fedexforum/6, https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Glen_Johnson_vs._Roy_Jones_Jr., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FedExForum