Alabama State Fairgrounds (Birmingham Fairgrounds)

The Alabama State Fairgrounds, often called the Birmingham Fairgrounds, was for decades a major fair and event site in the Five Points West area of Birmingham, Alabama. The fairgrounds hosted the Alabama State Fair, concerts, exhibitions and the Birmingham International Raceway. Today the original fairgrounds no longer operate as such, and the site has been redeveloped.

What Happened to the Fairgrounds

Over time, the Alabama State Fair was discontinued and the aging fairgrounds facilities fell out of use. The associated Birmingham International Raceway was demolished in 2009. The City of Birmingham then redeveloped the roughly 82-acre site, transforming it into a modern sports, recreation and mixed-use destination. Anyone searching for the “Birmingham Fairgrounds” today is generally looking for this redeveloped area.

A Look Back at the Fairgrounds

For much of the 20th century the fairgrounds were a fixture of Birmingham life, drawing crowds to the annual state fair with its rides, livestock shows, exhibitions and entertainment. The on-site raceway added decades of auto-racing history. As the fair declined and the facilities aged, the property’s value as developable land near the heart of the city set the stage for its reinvention rather than simple abandonment.

The Birmingham CrossPlex

The centerpiece of the redevelopment is the Birmingham CrossPlex, an indoor sports and events complex that opened in 2011. It features a 200-meter banked indoor track, a 50-meter competition pool (natatorium) and Bill Harris Arena. The CrossPlex hosts high school and collegiate track, swimming and other athletic competitions, as well as concerts and community events, and has become a regional draw for sporting events that bring visitors and economic activity to the area.

CrossPlex Village

Adjoining the CrossPlex, CrossPlex Village is a mixed-use development planned with hotel, retail and entertainment uses on part of the former fairgrounds property, supporting visitors drawn to events at the complex. The pairing of a major sports venue with lodging and amenities is intended to keep visitors and their spending close to the site.

Visiting the Area

The Birmingham CrossPlex is operated by the City of Birmingham and is located in the Five Points West area. Visitors interested in events should check the CrossPlex schedule for competitions, shows and ticketing. For those researching the historic fairgrounds, the CrossPlex site is where that history now lives.

What the CrossPlex Hosts

The CrossPlex has become a regional center for indoor track and swimming, drawing high school, collegiate and club competitions to its banked 200-meter track and 50-meter natatorium. Bill Harris Arena adds a flexible space used for basketball, volleyball, graduations, concerts and community gatherings. Because these events bring athletes, families and spectators from across the region, the complex generates the kind of visitor activity the redevelopment was designed to attract to the Five Points West area.

Why the Site Was Redeveloped

The transformation of the fairgrounds reflects a common pattern: a large, centrally located property that had outlived its original use became an opportunity to invest in something new. Rather than leaving the aging fairgrounds and demolished raceway as vacant land, the City of Birmingham chose to build a modern sports and events destination, paired with plans for hotel, retail and entertainment uses nearby, aiming to turn the site into an economic and recreational asset for the surrounding community.

Summary

In short, the traditional Alabama State Fairgrounds no longer exists in its original form. The land has been repurposed into the Birmingham CrossPlex and surrounding development.

Frequently Asked Questions