Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt unveiled the first renderings of a new $1 billion arena during his State of the City address on Wednesday. The arena will be the future home of the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The new arena is set to be built on the site of the former Cox Convention Center, near Reno Avenue and Ron Norick Boulevard. It is scheduled to open by late summer 2028.
The design features a striking glass curtain wall facade, which will provide durability against Oklahoma's high-wind storms and tornadoes. The glass will be laminated and insulated with low-e film for UV protection and bird frit protection to safeguard migratory birds. Inside, the arena boasts a wooden "vessel" seating bowl, offering a warm and natural feel. The design includes outboard concourses that provide 360-degree views of the surrounding cityscape.
"The primary purpose of our new arena was to secure a long-term future with major league professional sports, and to keep us competitive for concerts, but there are secondary benefits as well," said Mayor Holt. "One of those other benefits is the opportunity to raise the aesthetic bar in our downtown and to make an architectural statement. This arena has the potential to become a signature building for our city, known around the world. I believe this design absolutely seizes that opportunity, and I am grateful to David Manica and his colleagues, as well as the Thunder and everyone who has been a part of this process the last few months. This arena design truly is one of one."
The Oklahoma City New Arena was designed by the architectural team of MANICA Architecture as the design architect and TVS as the architect of record. The final design will require approval of City Council. In March, City Council approved the hiring of Flintco Construction and Mortenson Construction to serve as the construction team on the project.
The new arena, which is scheduled to open by late summer 2028, will serve as a catalyst for the city's ongoing economic and cultural renaissance. Architecturally, the conceptual design for the new venue includes a 360-degree glass curtain wall, offering panoramic views from all interior concourses, emphasizing transparency and connection.
The arena's west-facing main entrance, aligned with the adjacent Myriad Botanical Gardens and reflecting Oklahoma sunsets, features Thunder Alley—a vibrant fan activation zone at street level designed within the arena footprint.
An elevated main entrance, situated on a grand podium, creates an inspiring sense of arrival and opens to the main concourse, fostering a welcoming atmosphere.
The interior concept prioritizes basketball, with optimized sight lines and a seating design that fosters an energetic, loud, and intimate experience.
"I'm thrilled and honored to be leading the design of the new arena in downtown Oklahoma City," MANICA owner David Manica said. "The collaboration between my team, the City, and the Thunder has certainly resulted in a design that will set a new standard for multi-use sport venues around the world. The design is truly a one-of-a-kind, and there is nothing else like it in the world. It will be an icon for the future of this growing city, and a place for the community to come together to share incredible new memories for generations to come."
"The journey to build a unique and transformative downtown landmark has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of this preliminary conceptual design," Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett said. "We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Holt for his leadership and to David Manica and his team, who have done a remarkable job capturing our vision for an arena that elevates the spirit of competition, celebrates the values of our community, and strengthens Oklahoma City's local and global identity."
"The new arena will continue to elevate our city's profile as a premier destination for major tours, sporting events and family shows, while enhancing the community's cultural and entertainment offerings," said Legends/ASM Global General Manager Chris Semrau. "It will offer unparalleled experiences for artists, guests, athletes, and performers alike. Legends/ASM Global is excited to continue to bring top entertainment and live event experiences to the Oklahoma City New Arena."
Renderings and video of the preliminary arena conceptual designs, along with additional information can be found at okcnewarena.com
OKC new arena background:
In December 2023, Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly (71%) approved a penny sales tax to build a new, publicly owned arena. In May 2024, the Oklahoma City Council approved a development agreement(PDF, 689KB) for the City’s new arena between the City and PBC Sports and Entertainment, LLC (PBCS&E), owners of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Oklahoma City Blue.
The new arena will be funded by a 72-month, one-cent sales tax starting when the MAPS 4 tax ends. The sales tax rate will not increase. The arena will also be paid for with $78 million in MAPS 4 funding and $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group. The Oklahoma City New Arena will be managed by Legends/ASM Global.
The $900 million arena will be at least 750,000 square feet and be built to:
- Benefit the residents of Oklahoma City.
- Meet/and or exceed NBA specifications and requirements.
- Maximize team revenues, ensuring the sustainability of major league professional sports in Oklahoma City.
The Thunder will continue to play home games at Paycom Center until the Oklahoma City New Arena opens, with a target completion date of late summer 2028 and a contractual obligation to open the new arena by June 2029. The Thunder's 25-year commitment to remain in Oklahoma City begins when they move into the new arena.