About Us – Watsco Center

The Watsco Center is a 200,000 square foot, 8,000+ seat multipurpose entertainment facility managed by OVG 360 that is located in the heart of beautiful Coral Gables, Florida on the University of Miami Campus. Opening its doors in January 2003, the event represented the first time a mid-size venue had opened south of downtown in Miami-Dade County. Currently, the Watsco Center remains the largest facility of its kind south of Downtown Miami. With its 8000-seat capacity and 25 executive suites, the Center offers an ideal capacity for concerts, conferences, lectures series and banquets.

Since its opening, the Watsco Center has hosted a number of memorable events and sold-out shows, including Green Day, Coldplay, John Mayer, Drake, The Fray, and Barry Manilow, as well as, being the setting for televised events and award shows such as the 2004 Presidential Debates, Unplugged featuring Ricky Martin and Thalia, Premio Lo Nuestro, Premios Juventud, Billboard’s Latin Music Awards, and most recently The X Factor. The venue has also welcomed world-renowned figures and politicians, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, former President Bill Clinton, former President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Senator John McCain.

The Watsco Center also plays host to the UM Men’s and Women’s Division I NCAA basketball teams and is flexible enough to accommodate other sporting events such as cheerleading, volleyball, and karate among others.

For more information on booking the venue for your next event, click here.

GENERAL FACTS:
Square Footage: 200,000 sq. ft.
Seating Capacity: Designed for 8,000 permanent seats with 25 executive suites
Completion Date: January 2003
Administrative Offices: Men’s and Women’s Basketball Offices and Pinnacle Management
Amenities: Carpeted locker rooms, player lounge areas for Men’s and Women’s basketball, training room facilities, dressing rooms, convention space and banquet facilities
Architects: Spillis Candela/DMJM, Coral Gables, Florida Ellerbe Beckett, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri
Contractor: Turner Construction Company
Main event hall: 8,000 seats
Convention, trade show and banquet space: 21,160 sq. ft. & 4,500 sq. ft.
Executive suites: Each suite includes 12 seats, three bar stools, lounge area, television, phone, kitchen area with sink, and refrigerator.