Macon expects new sports arena to have luxury seating, ‘memorable’ fan experiences
Bibb County is seeking developers to handle the architecture and engineering of a new sports arena in Macon, according to documents from the Macon-Bibb County Procurement Department.
The arena, which will be along the Ocmulgee River next to the existing Macon Coliseum, will provide a larger, more updated space for events.
Chris Floore, chief communications officer with Macon-Bibb County, told The Telegraph in June — when the company selected to manage the project was first announced — the new arena will help Macon be competitive against other cities in Georgia when it comes to attracting events, sports and tourism.
Other cities around the state have also invested in event spaces and arenas.
Athens put around $151 million into renovating its civic center, the Classic Center, to include an 8,500-seat arena that opened in December 2024. Savannah put about $165 million towards building Enmarket Arena, which opened in 2022 and can seat up to 9,500. Meanwhile, Augusta broke ground on a new arena in July 2024 that is projected to seat more than 10,500. The Macon Coliseum seats about 9,000.
According to county documents, the new arena will seat between 7,000 and 12,000, and take nearly three years to construct.
The new arena will also include luxury seating options and “memorable fan amenities that reflect Macon-Bibb County’s identity,” county documents said.
“The goal is to deliver a premium, sustainable facility that offers versatility for sports and entertainment, while providing a high-quality destination for the public,” the Macon-Bibb County Procurement Department wrote in the request for qualifications.
The new arena will be part of a larger effort to develop areas of Macon along the Ocmulgee River, with officials planning a new convention center and hotel nearby that will incorporate pedestrian-friendly design and business spaces.
According to the documents, the deadline for firms to submit an RFQ to be considered for the project is Sept. 3 by noon. Shortlisted firms will be privately announced around Sept. 5, and the county will award the bid and enter contract negotiations around Sept. 17.
This story was originally published August 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM.