Here are the eight major league arenas that opened 20 years ago, and highlights of the updates they’ve done since then.
AmericanAirlines Arena (Miami)
Tenant: NBA Miami Heat
Former tenant: WNBA Miami Sol
Initial cost: $213 million
Owner: Miami-Dade County
Operator: Basketball Properties Ltd. (Heat owner)
Capacity (then/now): 19,600 / 19,600
Suites (then/now): 20 / 28
Concessionaire: Levy (unchanged)
Pouring rights (then/now): Coca-Cola / Pepsi
In 2017, the Heat unveiled a new LED system for AmericanAirlines Arena’s large video screens, an upgraded audio system, new seating in the 300 level, and updated lighting. The arena is searching for a new naming-rights sponsor, as American Airlines’ deal expires at the end of 2019 and will not be renewed.
Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
Opened as: Conseco Fieldhouse
Tenants: NBA Indiana Pacers, WNBA Indiana Fever
Former tenants: AFL Indiana Firebirds, CHL Indianapolis Ice, USHL Indiana Ice
Initial cost: $183 million
Owner: Capital Improvements Board, City of Indianapolis
Operator: Pacers Sports & Entertainment (Pacers owner)
Capacity (then/now): 18,345 / 17,923
Suites (then/now): 69 / 64
Concessionaires (general/premium): 1999: Aramark/Levy; 2019: Levy/Levy
Pouring rights: Pepsi (unchanged)
In April 2019, Indiana’s Capital Improvement Board of Managers approved a 25-year extension of its agreement with the Pacers and a $360 million capital improvement plan. The State of Indiana will contribute $270 million, the city of Indianapolis will add $25 million worth of infrastructure improvements, and Pacers Sports & Entertainment will invest $65 million, which includes buying real estate for a new outdoor plaza.
Pepsi Center (Denver)
Tenants: NBA Denver Nuggets, NHL Colorado Avalanche, NLL Colorado Mammoth
Former tenant: AFL Colorado Crush
Initial cost: $187 million
Owner and operator: Kroenke Sports Enterprises (Nuggets and Avalanche owner)
Capacity (then/now): 20,100 / 19,520
Suites (then/now): 95 / 95
Concessionaires (general/premium): Aramark/Levy (unchanged)
Pouring rights: Pepsi (unchanged)
Recent upgrades include The Breckenridge Brewery Mountain House ground-level restaurant and bar that opened in 2016. In recent years, CAA Icon managed projects to improve the Denver Nuggets’ locker room, team space, audio and visual technology and architectural lighting. Pepsi this month extended its naming-rights deal through the end of this season. Its original deal, which was announced in March 1995, expired this summer.
PNC Arena (Raleigh)
Opened as: Entertainment & Sports Arena
Tenants: NHL Carolina Hurricanes, N.C. State University men’s basketball
Former tenant: AFL Carolina Cobras
Initial cost: $158 million
Owner: Centennial Authority
Operator: Gale Force Sports & Entertainment (an affiliate of the Hurricanes)
Capacity (then/now): 19,722 / 19,500
Suites (then/now): 66 / 51
Concessionaire: VAB Catering (unchanged)
Pouring rights: Pepsi (unchanged)
After the Carolina Hurricanes’ 2006 Stanley Cup win, PNC Arena converted three party suites into the Champions Club, a premium seating option that includes all-you-can-eat food stations, a full-service bar, and a private lounge. In 2014 PNC Arena was the first U.S. NHL venue to install LED lighting. Over the past few years, 14 suites have been converted into loge boxes. A projection system, theatrical lighting and a new 4,000-square-foot, center-hung Daktronics LED display system were installed in 2019.
Scotiabank Arena (Toronto)
Opened as: Air Canada Centre
Tenants: NBA Toronto Raptors, NHL Toronto Maple Leafs, NLL Toronto Rock
Former tenant: AFL Toronto Phantoms
Initial cost: $244 million
Owner and operator: Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (Raptors/Maple Leafs owner)
Capacity (then/now): 21,000 / 19,800
Suites (then/now): 154 / 125
Concessionaires (general/premium): 1999: In-house/JJ Muggs; 2019: In-house/Pinnacle Caterers
Pouring rights: Coca-Cola (unchanged)
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is in the middle of a multiyear process that is “reimagining” the arena, said company spokesman Dave Haggith. Improvements include a pedestrian bridge to the arena, a new video board for the Maple Leaf Square “Jurassic Park” outdoor plaza adjacent to the venue, renovations of restaurants and suites, extra entrances for premium guests, and technology upgrades that will give fans information about concessions, restrooms and the ability to order concessions.
Smoothie King Center (New Orleans)
Opened as: New Orleans Arena
Tenants: NBA New Orleans Pelicans
Former tenants: AFL New Orleans VooDoo, ECHL New Orleans Brass
Initial cost: $110 million
Owner: State of Louisiana
Operator: ASM
Capacity (then/now): 17,200 / 16,867
Suites (then/now): 44 / 56
Concessionaire: Centerplate*
Pouring rights (then/now): Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper and Coca-Cola
*Original concessionaire Volume Services changed its name to Centerplate in 2004.
The Smoothie King Center underwent an extensive renovation in 2013 that included adding a “party perch” for Pelicans fans, loge seating, an expanded and renovated Capital One Club, new Chairman’s Club, and clubs on the north and south sides of the arena. The project also included upgrades to the team locker room and concession stands.
Staples Center (Los Angeles)
Tenants: NBA Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Los Angeles Clippers, NHL Los Angeles Kings, WNBA Los Angeles Sparks
Former tenants: AFL Los Angeles Avengers, NBA D-League D-Fenders
Cost: $407 million
Owner and operator: AEG (Lakers owner)
Capacity (then/now): 19,060 / 19,060
Suites (then/now): 158 / 154
Concessionaires (general/premium): 1999: Aramark/Levy; 2019: Levy/Levy
Pouring rights: Pepsi /Coca-Cola
Staples Center and L.A. Live are widely considered to be one of the first successful downtown entertainment and sports districts in a major U.S. city. The arena intends to soon unveil plans for major upgrades that it’s dubbing Staples Center 2.0.
State Farm Arena (Atlanta)
Opened as: Philips Arena
Tenant: NBA Atlanta Hawks
Former tenants: NHL Atlanta Thrashers, WNBA Atlanta Dream, AFL Georgia Force
Initial cost: $213 million
Owner: Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority
Operator: Atlanta Hawks
Capacity(then/now): 20,007 / 16,600
Suites (then/now): 90 / 40
Concessionaires (general/premium): 1999: In-house/Levy and Buckhead Life; 2019: Levy and Buckhead Life now handle all
Pouring rights: Coca-Cola (unchanged)
State Farm Arena’s nearly $192.5 renovation, finished in 2018, features a courtside club, a barbershop owned by Atlanta rapper Killer Mike, a Topgolf suite, loft suites and a club created by country music star Zac Brown. The changes allow fans to walk a wider concourse around the complete venue. In total, 100,000 square feet of fan-facing space was added. The renovation reduced the number of suites at State Farm Arena to 40, but now offers a greater variety of premium spaces and options.
Note: Capacities are largest for sporting events.
Source: Sports Business Journal research
