Delta Center facts for kids
Logo since 2023
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The arena 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 |
| 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 | 18,306 (basketball)
14,000 (hockey and indoor football) 20,000 (concerts) Approx. 7,000 (theater) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | May 22, 1990 |
| Opened | October 9, 1991 |
| 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 Utah NHL team (NHL) 2024–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 |
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The Delta Center is a large indoor stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. It opened in 1991 and is famous for being the home of the Utah Jazz basketball team (part of the NBA). It's also the new home for the Utah NHL team (from the NHL).
Over the years, many other professional sports teams have played here. These include the Utah Blaze (Arena Football) and the Utah Starzz (Women's NBA). The arena can hold over 18,000 fans for basketball games. It can also host ice hockey, indoor football, and concerts. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, it was called the "Salt Lake Ice Center." It hosted exciting figure skating and short-track speed skating events.
Contents
History of the Delta Center
The idea for the Delta Center was to create a big new home for the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles hockey team. Their old stadium, the Salt Palace, was too small. A Utah businessman named Larry H. Miller led the project and paid for it.
Construction began on May 22, 1990. The arena was finished quickly, opening on October 4, 1991. It cost about $93 million to build.
The very first game played in the arena was a hockey game. The Golden Eagles played against the Peoria Rivermen on October 16, 1991. The first basketball game was a pre-season game for the Jazz. They played against the New York Knicks.
Besides the Jazz and the Blaze, other teams have called the Delta Center home. The Utah Starzz (WNBA) played here from 1997 to 2002. The Salt Lake Golden Eagles played from 1991 to 1994. The Utah Grizzlies hockey team played from 1995 to 1997.
In 1996, a hockey game at the Delta Center set a record. Over 17,000 fans watched a minor league hockey final.
On August 11, 1999, a strong wind storm (a tornado) hit Salt Lake City. It damaged the arena's roof. Repairs cost over $3.7 million.
The Jazz's longtime public address announcer, Dan Roberts, has been with the team since before the arena was built.
In 2010, the Jazz basketball court was named in honor of Larry H. Miller. He was the team owner who passed away.
In December 2020, Ryan Smith bought the arena. He also bought the Utah Jazz team.
In April 2024, it was announced that a new Utah NHL team would play at the arena. They will start playing in the 2024–25 NHL season. The arena will get some upgrades to make it even better for hockey.
Arena Upgrades and Renovations
On September 21, 2016, the Utah Jazz announced big plans. They would renovate and upgrade the arena. This major project cost $125 million.
The construction started after the 2016–17 Jazz basketball season ended. It was completed in the fall of 2017. These upgrades made the arena more modern and comfortable for fans.
Renaming the Arena
The arena has had several names over the years. When it first opened, it was called the Delta Center.
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the arena had a special name. It was called the Salt Lake Ice Center. This was because Olympic rules don't allow company names for venues.
In 2006, Delta Air Lines decided not to renew their naming rights. So, the arena's owner, Larry H. Miller, sold the naming rights to EnergySolutions. This company deals with nuclear waste. The arena was renamed EnergySolutions Arena.
Some fans didn't like the new name. They even made up funny nicknames for it. These included "the Dump" and "the Glow Dome."
On October 26, 2015, a new company bought the naming rights. It was Vivint, a home security company. The arena then became known as Vivint Smart Home Arena. Later, it was shortened to Vivint Arena.
On January 14, 2023, Delta Air Lines bought the naming rights again. So, on July 1, the building officially returned to its original name: the Delta Center.
Why the Delta Center is Famous
The Delta Center is well-known for being a very tough place for visiting teams to play. This is especially true for NBA basketball teams.
In 2008, a poll of NBA players was taken. They voted the Delta Center as "the most intimidating arena in the NBA." This means it's a place where the home crowd makes a lot of noise.
Many people even called it the "Decibel Center." This was a play on its name, "Delta Center." During the 1997 NBA Finals, a special meter measured the noise. It showed over 110 decibels. That's as loud as a jet taking off!
A sports announcer once called the Delta Center "one of the loudest places in sports." The loud and energetic fans make it a unique place to watch a game.
Notable Events at the Delta Center
The Delta Center has hosted many exciting events.
Other Sports Events
- It hosted the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
- During the 2002 Winter Olympics, it held figure skating and short track speed skating.
- The arena has hosted several UFC events. These include UFC Fight Night in 2016 and UFC 278 in 2022.
- Since 2021, it has hosted "Frozen Fury." This is a pre-season hockey series between the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights.
- The Professional Bull Riders have also held events here in 1999, 2000, and 2024.
Concerts and Shows
The Delta Center is also a popular spot for big music concerts.
- On October 24, 1991, the band Oingo Boingo was the first major music act to perform at the Delta Center. Many other famous artists have played there since.
See also
In Spanish: Delta Center para niños
