Merrell Center

Leonard E. Merrell Center
Construction
Merrell Center


Location	6301 South Stadium Lane, Katy, Texas 77494
Coordinates	29°46′49″N 95°49′56″W / 29.78028°N 95.83222°W / 29.78028; -95.83222
Owner	Katy Independent School District
Operator	Katy Independent School District
Capacity	7,200 (Concerts) 5,794 (Basketball)^[1] 4,290 (Telescoping seats retracted)^[1]
Broke ground	June 2003
Opened	March 2005
Construction cost	$ 18.9 Million
Architect	PBK Architects
Tenants
Katy Copperheads (NIFL) (2006) Katy Ruff Riders (Intense) (2007–2008) Houston Stallions (SIFL/LSFL) (2011–2012)

The Leonard E. Merrell Center (commonly known as the Merrell Center) is a 7,200-seat multi-purpose arena in Katy, Texas. It was built in 2005 and was the former home of the Katy Copperheads (National Indoor Football League) and the Katy Ruff Riders of the Intense Football League. The Merrell Center has hosted the Southland Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments from 2008 to 2022, but both tournaments will move to The Legacy Center on the campus of McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana in 2023. The Houston Stallions of the Lone Star Football League moved to the Merrell Center in 2011.

As a concert venue the arena seats 1,500 for theater shows and up to 7,200 for arena concerts. Capacity for athletic events is 5,794.^[1] The arena can seat up to 1,200 for banquets. The arena contains a 21,600-square-foot (120' by 180') arena floor, big enough for small trade shows, a 3,000-square-foot (280 m²) meeting room that can be divisible into three smaller rooms, and a 6,300-square-foot (590 m²) lobby. The arena is also used for commencement ceremonies and high school basketball.