Helena Frye
Basketball is a sport with a massive global following, and the NBA arenas are the cathedrals of this sport. The NBA currently has 29 arenas, with the average capacity of an NBA arena being 18,790. These arenas are where the magic happens, where the roar of the crowd spurs on the home team to victory, and legends are born. Each arena has its unique characteristics, from the iconic purple beam at the Kings' stadium to the raucous Cowbell Kingdom crowd at the Target Center. The largest NBA arena is the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls, with a capacity of 20,917. Madison Square Garden, the oldest arena in the NBA, is another iconic venue, steeped in history and known for its sound-absorbing ceiling and celebrity courtside seats. The Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is another notable venue, housing three professional sports franchises. These arenas are not just basketball venues; they are entertainment hubs, hosting concerts, family shows, and other sporting events, contributing to the vibrant culture of basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of NBA Arenas | 29 or 30 |
| Average Capacity | 18,790 |
| Arenas with the Highest Capacity | United Center (20,917), Wells Fargo Center (21,000), Capital One Arena, Little Caesars Arena |
| Arenas with the Lowest Capacity | State Farm Arena (16,600) |
| Arenas with the Most Teams | Madison Square Garden (New York Knicks, Rangers), Crypto.com Arena (LA Lakers, LA Kings, LA Sparks) |
| Arenas with the Most Events | Capital One Arena (220 events per year) |
| Newest Arenas | Intuit Dome (opened in August 2024), San Francisco's Chase Center (opened in 2019) |
| Oldest Arenas | Madison Square Garden (opened in 1968) |
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What You'll Learn
NBA arenas by capacity
There are 29 to 30 NBA arenas, with an average capacity of 18,790. The United Center, home to the Chicago Bulls, is the largest NBA arena, with a capacity of 20,917. It is one of four arenas that can accommodate over 20,000 fans, along with Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Capital One Arena in Washington, and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks, has a similar capacity and is a favourite among basketball enthusiasts. It is the third site to be named Madison Square Garden and has a rich history, continuing to attract large crowds.
The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta are among the smallest NBA arenas, with maximum capacities of 16,867 and 16,600, respectively. The Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, is another notable venue, serving as the home of the NBA's Toronto Raptors and the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs. It has received over 40 industry awards since its opening in 1999.
The TD Garden in Boston is New England's largest sports and entertainment arena, hosting over 3.5 million people annually for various events. The Intuit Dome, which opened in August 2024, is the newest addition to the NBA arenas, serving as the home of the Los Angeles Clippers. It has an estimated capacity of 18,000, contributing to the diverse range of venue sizes across the league.
The NBA arenas vary in size, with capacities ranging from 16,000 to over 20,000. These venues are iconic centres of basketball excellence, hosting electrifying games and creating memorable experiences for fans and players alike.
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NBA arenas by age
There are 30 NBA teams with 29 arenas, with the Lakers and Clippers sharing the Crypto.com Arena. The Intuit Dome, which opened in August 2024, is the newest arena and will be the home of the Clippers from the 2024-25 season. Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, is the oldest venue in the league, with the Knicks starting to play there in the 1967-68 season.
Madison Square Garden is the fourth building to be named as such and officially opened on February 11, 1968, in Manhattan's West Side. It is one of only two current arenas not named after a corporate sponsor. The other is the PHX Arena, though this is a temporary name as the Suns seek a new naming rights partner.
The United Center in Chicago, home of the Bulls, has the highest capacity of any current NBA arena at 20,917. The arena opened in 1994 and has hosted two NBA Finals series, with the Bulls winning on both occasions.
The Golden State Warriors' Chase Center is the most recently constructed venue before the Intuit Dome. The Warriors started playing there in the 2019-20 season.
The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, home of the Cavaliers, is another recently transformed arena, hosting over 200 diverse ticketed events and 1,400 private events that draw over 2 million patrons to the city each year.
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NBA arenas by location
There are 30 NBA arenas across the United States and Canada. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is the only NBA arena shared by two teams, the Lakers and the Clippers. The Toronto Raptors are the only team in the NBA that does not reside within the United States.
Atlanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena is located in downtown Atlanta's Centennial Park District. The arena celebrates the city by spelling out "ATLANTA" in 65-foot letters. It is the smallest NBA arena, with a seating capacity of 16,600.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Target Center is located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis' sports and entertainment district. It is home to the Minnesota Timberwolves and the four-time WNBA world champion Minnesota Lynx. The arena attracts over 1 million guests per year.
New Orleans, Louisiana
The Smoothie King Center, home to the Pelicans, is located in downtown New Orleans. It opened in October 1999 and is connected to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Boston, Massachusetts
TD Garden is New England's largest sports and entertainment arena. It is home to the Boston Celtics and the NHL's Boston Bruins. The arena hosts over 3.5 million people per year.
Houston, Texas
The Toyota Center, which opened in 2003, is the premier sports and entertainment venue in Houston, the fourth-largest market in the nation. It is home to the Houston Rockets and has hosted artists and events such as the Latin Grammys.
Chicago, Illinois
United Center is the largest NBA arena by capacity, with a capacity of 20,917. It is home to the Chicago Bulls.
New York, New York
Madison Square Garden is the oldest NBA arena, having opened in 1968. It is home to the New York Knicks and has a seating capacity of 19,614.
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NBA arenas by seating capacity
There are 30 NBA arenas, with an average capacity of 18,790. The United Center in Chicago, home to the Bulls, is the largest NBA arena, with a capacity of 20,917. It is one of four NBA arenas that can accommodate over 20,000 fans. The other three are the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Capital One Arena in Washington, and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Nine arenas can accommodate 19,000 or more fans, while 16 arenas have a capacity between 18,000 and 16,000. The Chase Center in San Francisco, home to the Golden State Warriors, has a capacity of 18,064. The Toyota Center in Houston, home to the Rockets, is another large arena with a capacity of 18,300.
The smallest NBA arenas include the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, home to the Pelicans, with a maximum capacity of 16,867. The State Farm Arena in Atlanta is slightly larger, with a capacity of 16,600. These arenas still offer an intimate seating experience with excellent sightlines.
The newest NBA arena, Intuit Dome, opened in August 2024, and is home to the Los Angeles Clippers. It offers exceptional comfort and legroom, ensuring an enjoyable experience for fans.
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NBA arenas by events hosted
There are 29 to 30 arenas in the NBA, with the United Center in Chicago being the largest arena in the 2023-24 season, with a capacity of 20,917. It is followed by Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Capital One Arena in Washington, and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, which can all accommodate over 20,000 fans.
Madison Square Garden, the home of the New York Knicks, is another iconic NBA arena with a seating capacity comparable to the United Center. It has a rich history and has witnessed many iconic moments in the league. The arena has been renovated extensively and continues to draw large crowds.
The TD Garden, home of the Boston Celtics and NHL's Boston Bruins, is another notable NBA arena. It is known for its unique atmosphere, with the Boston crowd erupting at every announcement and creating an unforgettable playoff atmosphere. The arena is easily accessible and located near public transportation, making it convenient for fans to attend games.
The Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, is the only arena outside the US to have hosted an NBA All-Star Game. It offers a vibrant and diverse environment, with lively in-game entertainment and a unique viewing area called "Jurassic Park." The arena has received numerous industry awards and is recognised as a premier sports and entertainment venue.
Other NBA arenas that have hosted notable events include the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which served as the host of the NBA Bubble during the 2019-20 season, and T-Mobile Arena, which hosted six games as part of the NBA Cup in 2023 and 2024. Additionally, the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, are notable venues that have hosted a multitude of concerts, family shows, and special events.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 29 to 30 arenas in the NBA.
The United Center in Chicago is the biggest NBA stadium with a capacity of 20,917.
Madison Square Garden in New York, the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Capital One Arena in Washington, and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit are some of the largest NBA stadiums.
Yes, Madison Square Garden and the PHX Arena are the only current NBA arenas not named after corporate sponsors.
T-Mobile Arena hosted six games as part of the NBA Cup in 2023 and 2024, but it is not a dedicated NBA stadium.
