Delta Center facts for kids
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The Delta Center in 2023
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 Delta Center
Location in Utah
Delta Center
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Delta Center (1991–2006, 2023–present) Salt Lake Ice Center (2002) EnergySolutions Arena (2006–2015) Vivint Smart Home Arena (2015–2020) Vivint Arena (2020–2023) |
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| Address | 301 W. South Temple |
| Location | Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°46′6″N 111°54′4″W / 40.76833°N 111.90111°W |
| Public transit | Add→ Add→ Add→ (at Arena) |
| Owner | Ryan Smith |
| Operator | Smith Entertainment Group |
| Executive suites | 56 |
| Capacity | Basketball: 18,175 Concerts: 20,000 Ice hockey: 11,131 NuSkin Theater: 3,000-7,000 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 22, 1990 |
| Opened | October 9, 1991 |
| Renovated | May–Sept. 2017 (fan experience upgrades) May–Sept. 2024 (Utah Mammoth arrival) April 2025–present (full renovation) |
| Construction cost | US$93 million ($208 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | FFKR Architecture |
| Structural engineer | Ralph L. Wadsworth Engineering |
| Services engineer | Olsen & Peterson Consulting Engineers, Inc. |
| General contractor | Ohbayashi/Sahara |
| Tenants | |
| Utah Jazz (NBA) 1991–present Salt Lake Golden Eagles (IHL) 1991–1994 Utah Grizzlies (IHL) 1995–1997 Utah Starzz (WNBA) 1997–2002 Utah Blaze (AFL) 2006–2008, 2011–2013 Utah Mammoth (NHL) 2024–present |
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The Delta Center is a large indoor stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. It opened in 1991 and is now home to two major sports teams: the Utah Jazz basketball team (part of the NBA) and the Utah Mammoth hockey team (part of the NHL).
This arena can hold 18,175 fans for basketball games. For concerts, it can fit up to 20,000 people. It also has special areas like 56 luxury suites and 668 club seats for a premium viewing experience.
Over the years, the Delta Center has hosted many other professional sports teams. These include the Utah Blaze (Arena Football League) and the Utah Starzz (Women's National Basketball Association). During the 2002 Winter Olympics, it was called the "Salt Lake Ice Center" and hosted exciting figure skating and short-track speed skating events. It is also expected to host ice hockey during the 2034 Winter Olympics.
The Delta Center is one of the oldest arenas still used in the NBA. Only Madison Square Garden in New York City and Target Center in Minneapolis are older. It is also one of the oldest in the NHL.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Delta Center
The idea for the Delta Center began because the old Salt Palace arena was too small. It could only seat 12,616 people. Utah businessman Larry H. Miller led the project and paid for it privately. Construction started on May 22, 1990. The arena was finished quickly, opening on October 4, 1991. It cost about $93 million to build.
The arena was first named the Delta Center because Delta Air Lines bought the naming rights. The very first game played there was an ice hockey match on October 16, 1991. The Salt Lake Golden Eagles played against the Peoria Rivermen.
The first basketball game for the Utah Jazz was a practice game against the New York Knicks. The first official Jazz game was on November 7, 1991, against the Seattle SuperSonics.
Besides the Jazz and Blaze, the Delta Center was home to other teams. The Utah Starzz (WNBA) played there from 1997 to 2002. The Salt Lake Golden Eagles (International Hockey League) played from 1991 to 1994. The Utah Grizzlies (also IHL) played from 1995 to 1997. In 1996, a record 17,381 fans watched a hockey game there. This was the largest crowd for a minor league hockey game in American history at the time.
In 1999, strong winds from a tornado damaged the arena's roof. Repairs cost about $3.757 million.
In 2006, Delta Air Lines decided not to renew its naming rights. A new company, EnergySolutions, took over. The arena was renamed EnergySolutions Arena on November 20, 2006. Fans had mixed feelings about the new name.
On April 15, 2010, the Jazz basketball court was named in honor of Larry H. Miller. He had passed away the year before.
In 2015, Vivint, a home security company, bought the naming rights for ten years. The arena was then called Vivint Smart Home Arena. Later, it was shortened to Vivint Arena in 2020.
In December 2020, Ryan Smith bought the Jazz team and the arena from the Miller family.
On January 14, 2023, Delta Air Lines announced it would return as the naming sponsor. So, the arena went back to being called the Delta Center starting July 1, 2023.
Big Changes and New Teams
On April 18, 2024, it was announced that Ryan Smith had bought the hockey team operations of the Arizona Coyotes. This team became the basis for a new NHL team, the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth started playing in the 2024–25 NHL season.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the Delta Center would get more upgrades. These renovations would increase the number of seats with a clear view for hockey games from 12,000 to 17,000.
The first regular season game for the Utah Mammoth was on October 8, 2024. They beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5–2. A crowd of 16,020 fans watched, which was the biggest hockey crowd ever at the arena.
Ryan Smith has secured $900 million to pay for more renovations to the Delta Center. These renovations started in April 2025 and will continue until October 2027.
The first part of the renovations began after the Mammoth's first season. This included rebuilding the lower seating area. New seating was added to keep fans close to the ice and remove any seats with blocked views. The playing surface was also raised. Other changes included a new parking garage, new dehumidifiers to keep the ice in good condition, and more restrooms.
Future plans include rebuilding the upper seating area to remove all remaining seats with blocked views. They will also update the luxury suites, clubs, and premium seating. A new scoreboard and ribbon display will be installed. The east-facing concourse and plaza will also be expanded for fan events.
A Loud Place to Play
The Delta Center is famous for being a very tough place for visiting teams to play. This is because the fans are incredibly loud! In a poll of NBA players in 2008, 20% said the Delta Center was "the most intimidating arena in the NBA." Many people even called it the "Decibel Center."
During a game in the 1997 NBA Finals, a special meter showed the noise level was over 110 decibels. That's as loud as a jet engine taking off! A sports announcer from NBC also called the Delta Center "one of the loudest places in sports" during those finals.
Special Events at the Delta Center
Olympic Moments
The Delta Center played a big role in the 2002 Winter Olympics. It hosted exciting events like figure skating and short track speed skating. For the Olympics, it was temporarily renamed the "Salt Lake Ice Center."
The arena is also expected to host hockey games during the 2034 Winter Olympics.
Other Sports Events
The arena has hosted other major sports competitions. It held the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
The Delta Center has also been a popular spot for UFC events. It hosted its first UFC event in 2016. Since then, it has hosted several more, including big pay-per-view events like UFC 278: Usman vs. Edwards 2 in 2022 and UFC 291: Poirier vs. Gaethje 2 in 2023. The UFC returned again in October 2024 for UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr..
The Professional Bull Riders have also held events at the arena in 1999, 2000, and 2024.
Concerts and Shows
Beyond sports, the Delta Center was designed to host large music concerts. The band Oingo Boingo was the first main act to perform there on October 24, 1991. Many famous musicians have performed at the arena since then.
See also
In Spanish: Delta Center para niños
- Statue of John Stockton, located outside the southeast corner of the Delta Center
