Paycom Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paycom Center

"Loud City" "The Thunderdome"
Paycom Center in 2024
Paycom Center Location in Oklahoma Show map of Oklahoma Paycom Center Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Ford Center (2002–2010) Oklahoma City Arena (2010–2011) Chesapeake Energy Arena (2011–2021)
Address	100 West Reno Avenue
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Coordinates	35°27′48″N 97°30′54″W / 35.46333°N 97.51500°W / 35.46333; -97.51500
Public transit	Heartland Flyer OKC Streetcar Arena
Owner	City of Oklahoma City
Operator	ASM Global
Capacity	Basketball: 18,203 Hockey: 15,152 Concerts: 16,591 Wrestling/Boxing/MMA: 16,757
Construction
Broke ground	May 11, 1999
Opened	June 8, 2002
Construction cost	US$89.2 million ($145 million in 2022 dollars )
Architect	The Benham Companies, LLC. Sink Combs Dethlefs
Services engineer	M-E Engineers, Inc.
General contractor	Flintco Construction Co.
Tenants
Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL) (2002–2009) Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (AF2) (2004–2008) New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (NBA) (2005–2007) Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (2008–present) Oklahoma City Blue (NBAGL) (2021–present) Oklahoma Freedom (PBR) (2022–2023) Oklahoma Wildcatters (PBR) (2024–present)

The Paycom Center is a large indoor stadium in downtown Oklahoma City, USA. It opened in 2002 and is the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, an NBA team.

Before it was called Paycom Center, it had other names. It was known as the Ford Center from 2002 to 2010. Then it became the Oklahoma City Arena from 2010 to 2011. After that, it was the Chesapeake Energy Arena until 2021.

This arena is not just for basketball. It also hosts concerts, family shows, conventions, and other big events. The City of Oklahoma City owns the building. A company called ASM Global manages it.

The arena can hold many people. For basketball games, it has 18,203 seats. For hockey, there are 15,152 seats. Concerts can have up to 16,591 attendees.

From 2005 to 2007, the arena was a temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets NBA team. This happened because Hurricane Katrina damaged their home city of New Orleans. The team was called the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets during that time. The great support from fans in Oklahoma City helped the city get its own NBA team later on.

The Story of Paycom Center

The Paycom Center opened on June 8, 2002. Its construction started three years earlier. The city of Oklahoma City owns this important building.

How the Arena Got Its Name

The arena was first called the Ford Center. This name came from a deal with local Ford car dealerships. It was not directly from the main Ford Motor Company.

Later, the name changed several times. In 2010, it was temporarily called the Oklahoma City Arena. Then, in 2011, it became the Chesapeake Energy Arena. This was part of a 12-year deal with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

However, Chesapeake Energy ended their deal in 2021. So, on July 27, 2021, a new company, Paycom, took over the naming rights. The arena was then renamed Paycom Center for 15 years.

Building the Arena for the City

The arena was a key part of a city improvement plan called MAPS. This plan started in 1993. It used a temporary sales tax to pay for new sports, entertainment, and cultural buildings.

When it was first built, the arena met the basic requirements for NBA and NHL teams. It was designed so that it could be easily upgraded later. This was important if a major sports team decided to move to Oklahoma City.

Making the Arena Better

In 2007, plans began to improve the arena. This happened after an Oklahoma City group bought the Seattle SuperSonics NBA team. City officials wanted to make the arena a top-tier facility.

On March 4, 2008, Oklahoma City voters approved a sales tax. This tax raised $121 million for arena upgrades. It also funded a separate practice facility for the new NBA team.

Soon after, the Sonics team moved to Oklahoma City. They became the Oklahoma City Thunder. The city and the team made an agreement for the Thunder to use the arena.

Renovation work was delayed due to an economic crisis. The city received less money from the sales tax than expected. Plans for some features, like a new glass entryway, were changed. Major construction was pushed back to 2011.

In September 2023, the arena received new upgrades. A large, new scoreboard with a wraparound video display was installed. This cost $7.5 million.

How Many People Can Fit?

The number of seats for basketball games has changed over the years:

Inside Paycom Center

The Paycom Center is a huge building, covering 581,000 square feet. It has three main seating levels. A fourth level can be added for concerts.

The arena offers many special features. There are 3,380 club seats and 49 private suites. It also has seven party suites for groups.

You can find several dining spots inside. The OLD NO. 7 Club is a full-service restaurant and bar. The Pub is an "Irish Pub" themed bar. The Courtside Club offers another restaurant and lounge area. There are also the Victory Club, Sunset Carvery, and Terrace Lounges.

Exciting Events at Paycom Center

Paycom Center hosts many different events throughout the year. These include games from local colleges and high schools. It also brings in major concert tours and professional wrestling shows.

College Sports Action

The arena is a popular spot for college sports. It has hosted the Big 12 men's basketball tournament several times. It also hosted the NCAA Men's Basketball First and Second Rounds in 2010 and 2016.

The All-College Basketball Classic is always held here. In March 2014, the arena hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

NBA Basketball Games

New Orleans Hornets' Temporary Home

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused a lot of damage in New Orleans. The NBA arranged for the New Orleans Hornets team to play temporarily at Paycom Center. The arena was then known as the Ford Center.

The Hornets played in Oklahoma City for two seasons. They were called the "New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets." The arena received upgrades, like better lighting and sound, for their games.

Fans in Oklahoma City strongly supported the Hornets. This showed the NBA that the city could host a major league team. NBA Commissioner David Stern even hinted that the NBA would return to Oklahoma City someday.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Home Court

Oklahoma City hosted and defeated Minnesota for their first win.

In 2006, an Oklahoma City investor named Clay Bennett bought the Seattle SuperSonics team. After some discussions, the NBA approved the team's move to Oklahoma City in 2008. The team was renamed the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder quickly became a strong team. They have often made it to the playoffs since moving to Oklahoma City. Paycom Center hosted playoff games many times.

In 2012, the arena hosted the NBA Finals for the first time. The Thunder played against the Miami Heat for the championship. The Thunder won Game 1 at home but lost the series.

In 2020, a game between the Thunder and the Utah Jazz was postponed. This happened when a Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19. This event led to the suspension of the NBA season and many other sports events worldwide.

The NBA Finals returned to Paycom Center in 2025. The Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in seven games. This win brought the franchise its first NBA championship since moving to Oklahoma City.

Wrestling and MMA Fights

The arena has hosted many exciting professional wrestling events from WWE. These include shows like Raw and SmackDown.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) also held events here. UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard took place in 2009. Another mixed martial arts event, Strikeforce: Champions, was held in 2013.

Other Fun Events

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) have held many events at the arena. From 2002 to 2006, and again from 2009 to 2022, it hosted Premier Series events. In 2022 and 2023, the Oklahoma Freedom PBR team called Paycom Center home. In 2024, a new team, the Oklahoma Wildcatters, moved in.

In 2015, the arena hosted the North American Youth Congress (NAYC). This large event for young people sold out the arena. The nearby Cox Convention Center was used for overflow crowds.

A New Arena is Coming

The agreement for the Thunder to use Paycom Center ended in 2023. The team extended the agreement for three more years. This gave the city time to plan for a brand new arena.

On December 12, 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved a new sales tax. This tax will pay for a new downtown arena. The new arena is expected to open by the 2029-30 NBA season. The Thunder have promised to stay in Oklahoma City for 25 years after moving into the new building.

On May 17, 2024, the location for the new arena was announced. It will be built on the site of the former Cox Convention Center. This site is just north of Paycom Center. The city plans to start demolition in early 2025. They hope to open the new arena as early as June 2028. Once the new arena is ready, Paycom Center will likely be used for other purposes.

Getting There

You can reach Paycom Center using the Oklahoma City Streetcar. The Arena station is right there.

See also

In Spanish: Paycom Center para niños