A new NBA season looms on the horizon, and the draft has given us a promising start to the proceedings. NBA arenas in the country are getting ready to welcome fans for the 2022-23 regular season. All 30 NBA teams have their home arenas, and the game atmosphere is unique for each of them.
Each arena has something different to offer. Some NBA championship arenas are of historical importance. Some names we have forgotten include the Airlines Arena and the Boston Garden. Even though these arenas have been replaced or renamed, these stadiums are part of the National Basketball Association’s history.
On the other hand, some arenas are known for hosting multiple sporting events. For example, Madison Square Garden is the only NBA arena that has been around since the 1960s, making it one of the oldest basketball venues in the world.
This blog will tell you more about the current NBA stadiums, some of the biggest NBA arenas, and their amenities, including seating capacities. You can also find a list of the best NBA arenas in terms of size and fan experience.
Five of the best NBA arenas
Madison Square Garden
Tenants: New York Knicks
When people call it “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” you know how good the atmosphere would be for each event. Madison Square Garden (MSG) is the oldest NBA arena which is still in use and has undergone renovations more than once. One of the greats of the game, Micheal Jordan himself, refers to MSG as the “Mecca of Basketball.”
Opened in February 1968, this venue is not only known for NBA games. It hosts hundreds of major events throughout the year, including music concerts by prominent artists across the globe.
The Knicks have been playing here since the arena’s inception and shares the stadium with the New York Rangers of the NHL. As of now, the stadium can seat more than 19,000 people during a basketball game. To get to MSG, you can use public transit, including the subway and railroads.
Scotiabank Arena
Tenants: Toronto Raptors
Previously known as Air Canada Centre, Scotiabank Arena was opened in 1999. Many consider this arena to be the first proper modern basketball arena by many.
In the past, the stadium saw multiple NBA playoffs and All-Star games. In addition, famous artists like Madonna and Bon Jovi have performed various times in front of sold-out crowds at this venue.
The arena also hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs, who play their home games NHL at this venue. Scotiabank Arena can seat more than 19,000 fans for NBA games and around 18,800 for hockey games.
Crypto.com Arena
Tenants: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers
Apart from the Clippers and Lakers, this venue is also the home of WNBA’s Los Angeles Spark and NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
This arena was opened in 1999 and known as Staples Center until Crypto.com bought the naming rights. Other sporting events at this venue include arena football, boxing, and wrestling.
The fans can enjoy numerous refreshment stands, free Wi-Fi, family restrooms, dining spaces, and shopping areas. Apart from sporting events, this venue has also seen concerts by Bon Jovi, Madonna, Taylor Swift, Adele, and many others.
TD Garden
Tenants: Boston Celtics
Even though the OG Boston Garden is no more, TD Garden is yet to see some major success for its tenants. Nevertheless, with good reason, Celtics fans still consider the Boston Garden as their spiritual home.
The Boston Bruins of NHL also share this arena with the Celtics. Recently the stadium hosted the 2022 NBA finals. The Golden State Warriors won the NBA championship by beating the Celtics in six games.
The arena has many concessions, lounges, and bars located in different parts to enhance the fan experience. The arena’s seating capacity is 19,156, and the average attendance is also on the rise.
FTX Arena
Tenants: Miami Heat
The home of the Heat is one of the best arenas in terms of location. FTX Arena was previously known as American Airlines Arena until 2021. This NBA arena is owned by Miami-Dade County and can seat about 19,600 people during a basketball game.
It was at this same venue where the Heat won the 2006 NBA finals. The NCAA Division I showcase event is also held annually at the FTX Arena. Apart from basketball, professional wrestling, and UFC in the past.
Many artists, including Mariah Carey, Dua Lipa, Shakira, and Celine Dion, have performed in front of thousands of fans at this venue. Apart from these, this arena offers club seats, luxury suites, private boxes, and multiple foods and beverage options for its visitors. It also houses the largest theater in Florida- the Waterfront Theater.
If NBA arenas are ranked in terms of maximum seating capacity, then the United Center comes in pole position. The home of the Chicago Bulls has close to 21,000 seats. Wells Fargo Center is the home of the Philadelphia 76ers and has 20,478 seats. Capital One Arena and Little Caesars Arena come in at third and fourth, respectively.
How many NBA Arenas are there?
There are 30 teams in the NBA currently, and all of them have a home arena of their own. But there are only 29 NBA arenas in the championship. Apart from the city rivals Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, all other teams have a different stadium. However, both the teams mentioned above share the same stadium- the Crypto.com Arena.
What NBA teams share arenas?
The only two NBA teams that share an arena are the Clippers and Lakers, who are based in Los Angeles. Both these teams play their home fixtures at the Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. But there are NBA arenas that are shared by franchises in the NBA and WNBA. For example, Both Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury play at the Footprint Center, and Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty share the Barclays Center.
Does the NBA own arenas?
Most of the arenas are not owned by the teams or the NBA itself. Instead, teams usually rent out arenas for a season which is much more economical than building and running their own stadium. For example, the Golden State Warriors own the Chase Center in San Francisco, but not all teams own their arenas. They are owned by the city or private ownership, which rents the venue for sporting and other events.
What is the smallest arena in the NBA?
Smoothie King Center, which is home to the New Orleans Pelicans, is the smallest arena in terms of seating capacity. However, even though this arena located in Louisiana has only 16,867 seats for regular season games, it can be increased to 18,000 for playoffs. It is closely followed by Fiserv Forum, Golden 1 Center, and the Barclays Center.
Which is the loudest NBA arena?
Vivint Arena, previously known as the EnergySolutions Arena, is the loudest NBA Arena. It hosts the Utah Jazz and has been the loudest NBA stadium for the past few decades. Opposition players who have visited the arena considered it the most intimidating stadium in the NBA championship.
The stadium has a history of creating some of the loudest atmospheres in American sporting history. Credit to their ‘loudness,’ some refer to this NBA arena as the “Decibel Center.”
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