With a capacity of 20,917, the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls, will be the largest NBA arena in the 2022-23 season. It is one of four arenas in the league that can hold more than 20,000 people. The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Capital One Arena in Washington, and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit are the other three arenas with 20,000 or more seats.
Nine arenas can hold more than 19,000 people, while the remaining 16 arenas can hold between 18,000 and 16,000 people. The Smoothie King Center in New Orleans and the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, on the other hand, have maximum capacities of 16,867 and 16,600, respectively. The average capacity of all 29 NBA arenas is 18,790 people.
10. Oracle Arena
Indoor multi-purpose venue The Oracle Arena, formerly known as The Arena in Oakland, is a multi-purpose arena in Oakland, California. The Golden State Warriors, one of the best NBA teams, now call this place home. And they now play in the NBA’s Pacific Division of the Western Conference.
With a seating capacity of 19,596, this stadium is now ranked 10th on our list of the top 10 NBA Arenas with the Largest Capacity. The Oracle Arena is currently managed by AEG Facilities. The arena’s construction began on April 15, 1964. On November 9, 1966, the authorities made this available to the public.
Its construction cost nearly $25 million. The main architects for this arena were Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill.
9. American Airlines Arena
Sports and entertainment venue in the United States The American Airlines Arena is situated in the heart of Downtown Miami, Florida. The Miami Heat of the NBA has made this their new home. Following its completion, American Airlines purchased the naming rights. For basketball matches, this stadium now has a seating capacity of 19,600.
Furthermore, it now ranks ninth among the top ten NBA arenas in terms of capacity. Miami-Dade County currently manages the American Airlines Arena. The arena’s construction began on February 6, 1998. And on December 31, 1999, the authorities made it public. Its construction cost nearly $213 million.
This stadium was designed by Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture. In addition, Parsons Brinckerhoff served as the NBA arena’s project manager.
8. Air Canada Centre
Indoor multi-purpose sports venue The Air Canada Centre is located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario. The Toronto Raptors of the NBA now call this place home. This is also used by the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL and the Toronto Rock of the NLL. For basketball matches, this stadium now has a seating capacity of 19,800.
This stadium is now ranked eighth in our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the highest capacity. This stadium is currently managed by Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The arena’s construction began on March 12, 1997.
They accomplished this with a $265 million construction budget. This stadium was designed by Brisbin Brook Beynon in collaboration with the Architect of Record and Populous.
7.Madison Square Garden
American indoor multi-purpose venue Madison Square Garden is located in New York City’s Midtown district. It is home to the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers. This is the most established and active sports complex in the New York City metropolitan area.
For basketball matches, this stadium now has a seating capacity of 19,812 people. Furthermore, it is now ranked seventh among the top ten NBA arenas in terms of capacity. This stadium is currently operated by the Madison Square Garden Company.
The arena’s construction began on October 29, 1964. On February 11, 1968, they made this available to the public. The authorities spent nearly $123 million on its construction.
6. Energy Solutions Arena
Indoor multi-purpose venue The Energy Solutions Arena, formerly known as the Delta Center, is in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Utah Jazz, one of the league’s oldest teams, now calls this place home. On November 20, 2006, Energy Solutions purchased the naming rights to this stadium.
This stadium now has a capacity of 19,911 for basketball games. Furthermore, it is now ranked sixth among the top ten NBA arenas in terms of capacity. This stadium is currently managed by Larry Miller Sports & Entertainment. The arena’s construction began on May 22, 1990.
On October 4, 1991, the authorities made this available to the public. Its construction cost nearly $93 million. This stadium was primarily designed by FFKR Architecture.
5. Wells Fargo Center
Indoor arena with multiple uses The Wells Fargo Center, formerly the CoreStates Center, is located in Philadelphia and serves as the home of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, and the AFL’s Philadelphia Soul. With a seating capacity of 20,328 for basketball matches, it ranks fifth on our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the most capacity.
This stadium is currently managed by Global Spectrum. The arena’s construction began on September 14, 1994, and it opened to the public on August 13, 1996. And it cost nearly $210 million to build. This stadium was primarily designed by Ellerbe Becket.
Furthermore, Fox Management Company served as the NBA arena’s project manager.
4. Verizon Center
Venue for sports and entertainment The Verizon Center, formerly known as the MCI Center, is located in Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown neighbourhood and is home to the Washington Wizards of the NBA, the Washington Mystics of the WNBA, and the Washington Capitals of the NHL.
With a seating capacity of 20,356 for basketball matches, it ranks fourth on our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the most capacity. This stadium’s naming rights were purchased by Verizon Communications. This stadium is currently managed by Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
The arena’s construction began on October 18, 1995. On December 2, 1997, the authorities opened it to the public. Its construction had cost nearly $260 million.
3. Quicken Loans Arena
Venue with multiple functions Quicken Loans Arena is located in Cleveland, Ohio, and is the home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, the AFL’s Cleveland Gladiators, and the AHL’s Lake Erie Monsters. With a seating capacity of 20,562 for basketball matches, it ranks third on our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the most capacity.
Since August 2005, the retail mortgage lender Quicken Loans has held the naming rights to this stadium. This stadium is currently operated by the Quicken Loans Arena Company. The arena’s construction began on April 27, 1991.
On October 17, 1994, it was opened to the public. It will cost nearly $100 million to build.
2. United Center
The United Center, an indoor sports arena and entertainment venue in Chicago, is home to both the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. With a seating capacity of 20,917 for basketball matches, it is the number two arena on our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the most capacity.
The United Center is named after United Airlines, which pays nearly $1.8 million per year for naming rights. The United Center arena is currently managed by the United Center Joint Venture.
The arena’s construction began on April 6, 1992, and it opened to the public on August 18, 1994. And it cost nearly $175 million to build.
1. The Palace of Auburn Hills
Venue for sports and entertainment The Detroit Pistons play their home games at the Palace of Auburn Hills in the National Basketball Association. With a seating capacity of 21,231 for basketball matches, it is the first arena on our list of the top ten NBA arenas with the most capacity. It previously served as the home of the AFL’s Detroit Fury, the WNBA’s Detroit Shock, the CISL’s Detroit Safari, and the IHL’s Detroit Vipers.
Palace Sports and Entertainment currently operates the Palace of Auburn Hills. The arena’s construction began on June 7, 1986, and it opened to the public on August 13, 1988. And it will cost nearly $70 million to build.
