McDonald Hall and Arena was built in 1940 with resources from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Work Projects Administration. It served as Missouri State University’s central indoor arena until Hammons Student Center opened in 1976.

McDonald Hall and Arena continues to host classrooms, offices, fitness, recreation and studio spaces for the university's kinesiology and theatre and dance programs.

An upcoming, multi-phase renovation of McDonald Hall and Arena will provide a new locker room for the football program and a modern training facility for student-athletes.