Paycom Center
Paycom Center (originally known as the Ford Center from 2002 to 2010, Oklahoma City Arena from 2010 to 2011, and Chesapeake Energy Arena from 2011 to 2021) is an arena located in Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It opened in 2002 and since 2008 has served as the home venue for the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s Oklahoma City Thunder. Previously, the arena was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League (CHL) from 2002 until the team folded in July 2009, and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of AF2 from 2004 to 2009 when the team moved to the Cox Convention Center (now Prairie Surf Studios). In addition to its use as a sports venue, Paycom Center hosts concerts, family and social events, conventions, ice shows, and civic events. The arena is owned by the city and operated by the SMG property management company and has 18,203 seats in the basketball configuration, 15,152 for hockey, and can seat up to 16,591 for concerts.[5]
"Oklahoma City Arena" redirects here. For other arenas in the city, see Sports in Oklahoma City § Venues.Former names
Ford Center (2002–2010)
Oklahoma City Arena (2010–2011)
Chesapeake Energy Arena (2011–2021)
100 West Reno Avenue
ASM Global
Basketball: 18,203
Hockey: 15,152
Concerts: 16,591
WWE/Boxing/MMA: 16,757
May 11, 1999[1]
June 8, 2002
US$89.2 million
($151 million in 2023 dollars[2])
The Benham Companies, LLC.
Sink Combs Dethlefs
M-E Engineers, Inc.[3]
From 2005 to 2007, the arena also served as the temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA when the Hornets were forced to play games elsewhere following extensive damage to New Orleans Arena and the city of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. During the two seasons in Oklahoma City, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The response from fans while the Hornets played in Oklahoma City was an impetus to the city being discussed prior to 2008 for the location of a future NBA team, either by relocation or expansion.
Planned Replacement[edit]
The initial term of the 2008 use license agreement with the Oklahoma City Thunder expired in 2023. The Thunder exercised an option to extend the agreement for three years to allow time for the city to develop plans for a new arena. On December 12, 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved a 72-month extension of a one-cent sales tax to build a new, publicly-owned downtown arena. This arena is slated to open no later than the opening of the 2029-30 NBA season, and the Thunder have committed to remain in Oklahoma City for 25 years following their move into the new arena.[27] The site of the new arena has not been chosen, but one possible location is already owned by the city. It is the current site of Prairie Surf Studios (formerly Cox Convention Center and Myriad Convention Center), and it is located across the street from the current arena. In December 2023 the city notified Prairie Surf Studios that its lease would not be renewed when it expires on December 31, 2025.[28][29] Once the new arena has opened, the Paycom Center will likely be converted to some other type of property.[30]