New Oklahoma City Arena

New Oklahoma City Arena

Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Coordinates	35°27′55.3″N97°30′53.7″W / 35.465361°N 97.514917°W / 35.465361; -97.514917
Owner	Oklahoma City
Operator	Oklahoma City
Capacity	TBD
Construction
Broke ground	February 2026 (planned)
Opened	June 2028 (planned)
Construction cost	$900 million
Architect	Manica
Main contractors	Mortenson Flintco
Tenants
Oklahoma City Thunder (2028–)

New Oklahoma City Arena is a planned indoor arena to be constructed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It will be home to the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Its capacity is TBD. Opening is planned for 2028. It will be owned and operated by Oklahoma City.

History

When the Seattle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, its games were played at the then-named Ford Center. Since it was designed with minimum NBA/NHL standards, multiple renovations have occurred to bring it up to standards with some of the upgrades including seat replacement, expanded concourses, scoreboard replacement, locker room expansion. On December 12, 2023, Oklahoma City voters voted overwhelmingly in favor of constructing a new arena with an approval rate of 71%. ^[1] On May 21, 2024, the Oklahoma City council approved funding for the new arena ^{[2] [3]} Funding will come from three sources:

• $78 million from MAPS 4
• $50 million from PBCS&E
• a minimum of $772 million, financed through the 72-month, one-cent special sales tax

On October 22, 2024, Manica was chosen to be the architect of the new arena ^{[4] [5]} On March 11, 2025, the construction firms of Mortenson and Flintco were chosen to build the new arena. ^{[6] [7]} The arena will be built on the City-owned site of Prairie Surf Studios, formerly the Cox Convention Center, across the street from the current Paycom Center. Demolition began in Spring 2025 and is set to continue through September. ^{[8] [9]}

References

1. "Oklahoma City voters resoundingly approve new $900 million NBA arena" . Retrieved December 12, 2023.
2. "Oklahoma City Council approves development agreement for new Thunder basketball arena" . Retrieved May 21, 2024.
3. "City Council approves new arena in downtown Oklahoma City" . Retrieved May 21, 2024.
4. "Oklahoma City Council approves architectural team contract for new arena" . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
5. "New arena architecture team chosen by OKC City Council" . Retrieved October 22, 2024.
6. "Construction firms hired for OKC new arena, City leaders say" . Retrieved March 11, 2025.
7. "Construction company hired to build new OKC arena details some design priorities" . Retrieved March 11, 2025.
8. Greco, Jonathan (2025-04-23). "Demolition underway at Prairie Surf Studios to make way for downtown OKC arena". KOCO. Retrieved 2025-07-15.
9. Hoke, Doug. "Myriad Convention Center demolition has begun: See photos". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2025-07-15.