Prior to the building of the Joyce Center, the basketball team played in the Notre Dame Fieldhouse, which opened in 1900.

Phase 1 of the project was completed in October 2009, with its first event, the women's volleyball "Dig Pink" match for Breast Cancer between Notre Dame and Seton Hall, taking place on Halloween.

The first basketball game took place the following night as the Fighting Irish men's squad faced Lewis University in an exhibition contest.

in 1989, Chicago's Richard Marx in 1990, Boyz II Men in 1992, Tom Petty in 1995, Dave Matthews Band in 1996, Brian Setzer Orchestra in 1999, Bob Dylan in 1999, Matchbox Twenty in 2000, U2 with Garbage in 2001, Bloomington's John Mellencamp with Little Big Town in 2006, Chicago's OK Go with Lupe Fiasco in 2007, and The Chainsmokers in 2018.

[9] Notre Dame has a rich tradition of ending winning streaks at the Joyce Center, with victories over eventual national champions, defending NCAA titlists, and number-one-ranked teams.