Whether you're a basketball fan or not, there's no denying that the NBA has some of the best stadiums in the world. From the historic Madison Square Garden to the brand new Chase Center, these arenas are designed to give fans the best possible experience.
So, if you're looking for the best NBA stadiums to check out, you've come to the right place. This list will count down the top 10 great stadiums based on factors like atmosphere, capacity, and design.
Best NBA Stadiums
Target Center - Minnesota Timberwolves
Founded in 1990
You should be aware that the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx had a $140 million renovation last year, with the concourses and hospitality sections seeing the most improvements.
According to chief strategy officer Ted Johnson, the remodeling improved "just about every aspect of the facility," yet the arena still has one of the worst ratings in basketball.
Smoothie King Center (New Orleans Pelicans)
Opened: 1999
The Pelicans cannot be saved, not even by the allure of rookie prospect Zion Williamson. The numbers don't look suitable for the New Orleans supporters, who, by our logic, are statistically not far behind the Timberwolves.
The Pelicans have the lowest attendance in the league due to a lack of historical significance and the smallest venue in basketball at the moment. They may benefit from the doubt as they are one of the newest clubs. Still, their regular season record is astonishingly strong considering how young the franchise is (7 appearances in 17 seasons).
Being selected to participate in the bubble portends the possibility of a change in fortunes spearheaded by Williamson, a future superstar.
State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks)
Opened: 1999
The State Farm Arena was only one of a large number of brand-new courts that were inaugurated in 1999. However, the events there haven't compared well to those at other venues, such as the Staples Center from the Class of '99.
Atlanta had a ten-year streak of postseason participation, including 60 victories in 2014–15, but could not get past the conference semifinals.
The Hawks, who finished 14th in the Eastern Conference, were in the bottom half of the attendance table during the height of their playoff years but have since dropped to 25th.
The first of several actions to convince the devoted Atlanta fans that the good times are just around the horizon will be a recent cash infusion into the arena worth
up to $193 million.
Barclays Center
Opened: 2012
In its brief history, the Barclays Center hasn't accomplished much, particularly in the world of the NBA. The pinnacle of the arena's NBA history was the Brooklyn Nets' overtime triumph over the New York Knicks on November 26.
Before its completion, the Barclays Center was the target of one of the more inventive and flagrant abuses of eminent domain in American history.
Many Brooklynites have been evicted due to the development of Atlantic Yards, which is a bigger undertaking.
You should keep this in mind for most of these following stadiums. They offer excellent entertainment, but sometimes at a high social cost.
Moda Center — Portland Trail Blazers
One item to remember is that after negotiating the Moda Center's more than 70 food vendors, fans might not even have time to sit down and watch a game.
However, if they do, they could object to the Moda Center's crowded seating and obstructed views from the higher decks.
Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings)
Opened: 2016
The concession prices at the Golden 1, another extremely contemporary venue, are an unpleasant drawback.
The Kings have a loyal following, and this season they are ranked a respectable 20th in attendance despite going 14 seasons in a row without making the playoffs. The new home of the Kings can only hold 17,608, which severely lowers the Kings' standing in the overall standings.
Spectrum Center (Charlotte Hornets)
Opened: 2005
The Hornets could have been ranked lower, according to some.
Since the early 2000s, the league has rarely been endangered by the Michael Jordan-owned team, and fan support would concur. The Hornets' average attendance for this season is 400 spectators less than the pitiful Timberwolves.
Although not primarily for its atmosphere, the town has a reputation for hosting significant collegiate basketball games.
FedEx Forum (Memphis Grizzlies)
Opened: 2004
One of the Forum's primary draws is reportedly how intimate it is, with its
18,000 seats making it impossible to get a terrible view.
After being in the bottom five of the Western Conference for the last two years, losing to a motivated Trail Blazers squad this season will be heartbreaking but no less motivating.
Before the Grizzlies are rumored to leave Tennessee, they will try to make another playoff berth (10 total since 2004).
Time Warner Cable Arena
Opened: 2005
The Time Warner Cable Arena hasn't seen many notable NBA moments. Not a nice historical note, I suppose. The Bobcats ended the 2011–12 season with a 23–game losing streak and the lowest home season victory percentage (10.6%) in the history of the NBA.
That is how the Bobcats' lives are.
The Time Warner Cable Arena did make a grand entrance in 2005. That evening's performance by The Rolling Stones got things off to a good start with songs like "Under My Thumb," "Miss You," "Lady Jane," and other favorites.
Verizon Center
Opened: 1997
Presently performing at the Verizon Center (formerly MCI Center) is "Les Wizerables." Except for the mid-2000s break when Gilbert Arenas transformed the Washington Wizards from deplorable to acceptable, this production has been going on for the past 15 years.
The Verizon Center's most memorable moment was when Arenas threw the team back into the mud. Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton pulled weapons on each other in a late-December 2009 event that is still completely puzzling today.
Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton
have all attended games there (and Arenas scored a nice game-winning shot in 2007). Still, Finga Gunz overshadows the occasionally present presidential aura.
Air Canada Centre
Opened: 1999
You can notice from the picture how many banners are displayed at Toronto's Air Canada Center. Sadly, none of these are Toronto Raptors property.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the owners of them all. Unfortunately for the Leafs, none of those Stanley Cup banners were up when they were inhabiting the Air Canada Centre.
This arena has lived a long and miserable life. The most heartbreaking moments for the Raptors have been when Vince Carter returns to town to shatter their hearts, even though Toronto fans are among the greatest and most passionate in the game.
We hope something genuinely unique and unforgettable occurs shortly for Toronto fans, but I wouldn't put all my eggs in Bryan Colangelo's general manager basket.
At least Avril Lavigne captured a performance there for the DVD release.
Talking Stick Resort — Phoenix Suns
One thing to keep in mind is that, despite the Phoenix Suns' lackluster current performance, Talking Stick Resort Arena frequently hosts several WWE events, such as Smackdown, Raw, Elimination Chamber, and The Royal Rumble.
The Phoenix Mercury, a WNBA powerhouse led by the renowned Diana Taurasi, also calls it home.
New Orleans Arena
Opened: 1999
The only significant impact New Orleans Arena has had on the basketball world is the thrilling second-round matchup between the New Orleans Hornets and San Antonio Spurs in 2008.
Unfortunately, it has made history in connection with Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane in 2005, it operated as a medical institution. The 2008 All-Star Game was hosted in New Orleans Arena to support the growth of basketball in Louisiana.
In 2008, the East defeated the West 134 to 128 in one of the greatest All-Star Games in recent memory.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Opened:1999
This season, the Pacers' home is ranked fourth in the Eastern Conference and fourth in fan happiness.
The arena is a hive of activity due to its central position and the numerous pubs and restaurants.
The 25th-ranked arena's capacity might rise with a planned $360 million refurbishment in the upcoming years.
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Opened: 1994
The post-LeBron/Kyrie era has heavily damaged the Ohio team. Following a 14th-place finish in 2018–19, the Cavaliers placed last in the east this season.
Despite declining attendance since the peak in the mid to late 2010s, the Cavaliers' home court is still the second-largest venue in the NBA, with seating for over 20,000 spectators.
Although it couldn't be reproduced on matchdays, the new makeover allowed the brand to organize events in a "world-class sports and entertainment showplace."
Philips Arena
Opened: 1999
The worst period in Atlanta Hawks history took place at Phillips Arena from its inauguration in 1999 through 2008. One terrible losing season followed another, and nothing of note occurred for the squad on the court or in the arena.
The 2003 All-Star Game, in which Michael Jordan made his final appearance, was the high point of this gloomy period. The game was so great that it almost made up for the years of suffering.
Jordan appeared to have scored the game-winning goal against Shawn Marion almost impossible, but the West team forced double overtime before prevailing 155 to 145.
If you excluded the series versus Miami in 2009, the Hawks have regained relevance over the past few seasons but have failed to wow with any memorable moments. Even though the winning team consistently won by double figures, it somehow went all seven games. It was illogical.
Pepsi Center
Opened: 1999
Like the Atlanta Hawks, the Denver Nuggets' time at Pepsi Center was disastrous as they were experiencing their most excellent playoff drought in franchise history. After a ten-year absence, the playoffs finally returned to Colorado in 2004.
Since then, the Nuggets have had an excellent overall record thanks to star players like Chauncey Billups, Allen Iverson, and Carmelo Anthony.
Despite a steady streak of playoff appearances, Denver has only made it past the first round once. The 2009 Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals and posed a real threat to progress to the Championship Series before losing to the Lakers in six games.
Coincidentally, the Western Conference Finals produced the Pepsi Center's most memorable moment. On May 25, the Lakers and Nuggets were scheduled to play.
The WWE had already scheduled a wrestling spectacle on that date, as it so happened.
Chesapeake Energy Arena
Opened: 2002
Following Hurricane Katrina in the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons, the New Orleans Hornets' previous home, Chesapeake Energy Arena, became the Oklahoma City Thunder's home in the 2007–08 campaign.
Although it isn't ancient, the Hornets' affiliation with New Orleans was the first time since the Kansas City-Omaha Kings in the mid-1970s, when two cities shared a single club.
Additionally, the Thunder have produced two Western Conference Finals series and one NBA Finals since coming in.
The presence of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant suggests that more historical moments will soon occur here.
P.S. Take a second to appreciate how bizarre this picture is.
Little Caesar’s Arena (Detroit Pistons)
With its integrated mall-style complex encircling the arena in downtown Detroit, Little Caesar's makes up for the subpar baseball game on display. It was one of just five stadiums in the league to open in 2017 and had a capacity of
at least 20,000 spectators.
Unfortunately, it's not being used effectively.
After a stellar 26-15 home record the season before last, the league-low average home attendance of 75% suggests that the supporters can be a fickle lot.
Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia 76ers)
Opened: 1996
Rebuild has become a buzzword in Philadelphia recently. With reports of talents Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (when healthy) leaving, the Boston Celtics' recent sweep of the Pennsylvania team may well put a stop to that rebuilding phase.
Although Wells Fargo initiated the "Transformation 2020" plan to refurbish the arena, reports indicate that the Philadelphia 76ers may leave when their contract expires in 2031.
Despite being overlooked by the rest of the league in the attendance rankings from the regular season, fan satisfaction ranks the team a pitiful 22nd compared to the high-flying on-court achievements of the previous several seasons.
Toyota Center
As of 2022, Toyota Center will be among the top 10 NBA venues worldwide.
In addition, Toyota served as the arena's primary sponsor when it opened in October 2003.
The luxurious Toyota Center is owned by the illustrious Harry County Houston Sports Authority (HSHA).
The stadium is the primary residence of the Houston Rockets and is situated in Houston, Texas.
Additionally, the organization is well-known for the animated NBA games involving the Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Washington Wizards, as well as countless skirmishes between NBA clubs.
The opulent organization also has access to 18,104 seats for basketball games, 19,300 seats for concerts, and 17,800 seats for ice hockey games.
Interesting facts: Several bands and musicians, including Metallica, Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Selena Gomez, Harry Styles, and many others, perform at numerous rock and pop performances.
FTX Arena
American Airlines Venue was renamed FTX Arena, which now has the ninth-best NBA arena ranking in the world.
It was founded in Miami, Florida, in 1999.
In addition, the arena serves as the home court for the renowned Miami Heat basketball team.
The flexible and opulent stadium also
contains 2,105 NBA seats and 80 opulent suites.
The stadium also frequently hosted the NBA Finals
from 2006 to 2014.
Additionally, the league hosted massive worldwide concerts with outstanding pop performers like Selena Gomez, Madonna, and Shakira, as well as the MTV Music Video Awards in 2004 and 2005.
Interesting Facts: The Royal Rumble (2006), Survival Series (2007 & 2010), and Hell in a Cell were all hosted in the FTX Arena (2013).
United Center
On Chicago's Near West Side, the United Center is one of the best NBA venues.
The cutting-edge arena was built in 1998 by the world-famous Chicago Blackhawks founders, Jerry Reinsdorf and William Wirtz.
The Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks of the National Basketball and Hockey League call the arena home.
Likewise, United Airlines authorized the use of its name on the arena. Additionally, the arena has
23,500 accessible seats for concerts,
20,917 for basketball, and
19,717 for hockey.
Additionally, the arena hosted the Stanley Cup Final and three NBA Finals.
The NBA All-Star Game was also held in the stadium in 2020. On March 3, 2018, the location additionally held the Road to Wrestlemania House Show.
Interesting Facts: The mysterious
Michael Jordan monument erected outside the United Center in 1994 is treasured.
TD Garden
The adaptable TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, was able to secure a spot on the list of the
top five NBA arenas for 2022.
Additionally, the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League call the arena their home.
The arena opened its doors in 1997 and has hosted several significant national sporting occasions, most notably the 2016 United States Figure Skating Championship and the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament.
Additionally, the arena hosts national musical tours and performances by several comedians, including Tim Allen and Chris Rock.
Interesting information: The arena receives over
3.5 million visitors each year. As a result, TD Garden is New England's most revered and diversified entertainment venue.
Moda Center
The Moda Center, the premier indoor sports venue in Portland, has managed to rank as one of the top four NBA venues.
The theater was established on October 12, 1995, by
Paul and Jody Allen, co-founders of Microsoft.
In addition, Portland Trail Blazers, a professional NBA club, call the stadium home.
The arena also offers
18,280 seats for hockey and lacrosse and 20,500 seats for basketball.
In addition, the stadium played home to the U.S. Figure Skate Championships and three NBA Western Conference Final series, including the historic 1998 Portland State Graduation.
The arena also hosts a variety of entertainment activities like hockey, circuses, ice skating, concerts, and international conferences.
Staples Center
The Staples Center, home of legendary
NBA player Kobe Bryant, has earned the distinction of being the second-best NBA venue in the world.
The fantastic arena, Staples Center, was established on October 17, 1999, by two organizations, Anschutz Entertainment Group and LA's Arturo Arena Company.
Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Clippers of the National Hockey League call the arena home.
The auditorium holds
21,000 seats for concerts,
19,060 for hockey,
18,997 for the Lakers, and
18,230 for the Clippers.
Nineteen Grammy Award ceremonies, seven NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals, and three years of
Women Tennis Association Tour Championships are just a few of the noteworthy entertainment events held at the venue.
The location had a memorial service on February 24, 2020, for Kobe Bryant, a renowned player for the Lakers, and his daughter, who tragically perished in a helicopter crash.
Interesting Facts: One of the best venues in the world stages about 250 events each year with almost 4 million attendees.
Madison Square Garden
The top-ranked among the world's top 10 finest NBA venues is New York's famed and adaptable Madison Square Garden.
The oldest but the best arena is found at New York City's Pennsylvania Plaza.
On October 29, 1964, the famed Madison Square Garden Entertainment of New York founded the arena.
NBA Finals,
Stanley Cup Finals, two NBA All-Star Games, and five Grammy Awards are just a few significant events that have taken place there.
Additionally, the venue has hosted performances by Led Zeppelin, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson's Bad World Tour, and the WWE Royal Rumble battle thrice.
FAQs
Which NBA Arena Has The Loudest Crowd?
Warriors' Chase Center, according to Luka Doncic, is one of the noisiest NBA venues | RSN.
Who In The NBA Has The Smallest Arena?
The Chesapeake is currently the NBA's smallest venue. It just so happens to be one of the loudest, reaching a peak in 2010 of 109 decibels.
What's The Cost Of A Drink At An Nba Game?
This season, small draft beer at an NBA game costs, on average, $7.08. This is an
increase of 1.7% from the previous season ($6.96). For comparison, the typical beer costs $7.28 in the NFL, $6.10 in Major League Baseball, and $7.07 in the NHL.
The Finest NBA City For Fans?
Mavericks. The Dallas Mavericks have the finest supporters in the NBA. Dallas has won the season's top spot in terms of attendance percentage ten times since 2009, significantly more than any other team during that period.
What Is The World's Largest Arena?
Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang
The Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, which has a parachute-like shape and serves as the home field for the North Korean national football team, is mostly utilized for football matches.
It has been built to accommodate a variety of sports, including athletics. The Rungrado is the world's biggest stadium.
Conclusion
The NBA has seen a lot of change in recent years, both in how the game is played and how fans are accommodated. The league has made a concerted effort to make its arenas more fan-friendly, which has paid off in terms of increased attendance and revenue. The trend will likely continue as the league explores new ways to bring fans into the fold.