Sports
Media Poll: Ranking NBA Arenas from Best to Worst – Hoops Hype
November 17, 2023– by Michael Scotto
By Michael Scotto |
What are the top NBA arenas to attend games across the league?
HoopsHype polled 35 media members who’ve traveled to arenas across the country to find out which are the best in the league. Their criteria ranged from the crowd’s atmosphere and energy to the quality of the arena, culinary offerings, and lighting.
Below are the results of the poll, including a fiercely contested three-way battle for the top spot between New York, Los Angeles, and Boston.
Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 74.86 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1995
Capacity: 19,156
Who plays there: Boston Celtics and Bruins (NHL)
TD Garden, which underwent a $70 million renovation in 2014, was narrowly voted the NBA’s top arena and received six first-place votes among media members in our HoopsHype media poll.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 71.43 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 18,937
Who plays there: Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA)
Crypto.com Arena also received six first-place votes among media members in our HoopsHype media poll.
Formerly known as Staples Center, the arena will be an official venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics and has hosted the NBA All-Star Games in 2004, 2011 and 2018.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 70.29 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1968
Capacity: 19,812
Who plays there: New York Knicks, Rangers (NHL), St. John’s (NCAA)
Madison Square Garden, known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” finished third in the poll despite receiving 12 first-place votes – the most of any building.
MSG is the NBA’s oldest arena, and recently underwent a $1 billion renovation in 2013.
“It’s the best place to play in the world,” Spurs five-time championship coach Gregg Popovich said before facing the New York Knicks on Nov. 8. “I actually mentioned that when we came to shootaround. I said you guys are now in the best arena to play basketball you’ll ever be in. Some of those guys already agreed. Some said such and such. It’s a special place.”
What makes it the best in Popovich’s eyes? “Because it is,” he replied. “Some things, words don’t describe it. You just walk in there, the lights go on, and it’s a different ball game. You get a little bit of electricity going through your back.”
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 54.10 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2019
Capacity: 18,064
Who plays there: Golden State Warriors
Chase Center, the league’s most expensive arena to build at $1.4 billion, received three first-place votes from media members in our poll.
The arena will host the NBA All-Star Game and the WNBA’s Golden State expansion team in 2025.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 46.48 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1994
Capacity: 20,917
Who plays there: Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks (NHL)
The United Center, the NBA’s largest arena, received two first-place votes in our poll. Among its features is an iconic statue of Michael Jordan outside the building.
Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 42.10 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2016
Capacity: 17,608
Who plays there: Sacramento Kings
The Golden 1 Center is home of Sacramento’s trending “Light the beam” celebration after every Kings home win.
The arena received three first-place votes in our poll and was named the Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal in 2017.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 40.38 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2012
Capacity: 17,732
Who plays there: Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty (WNBA)
Barclays Center received one first-place vote in our media poll.
The arena’s opening in 2012 marked the return of a professional sports team to Brooklyn, which had not had one since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957. One of the most recognizable features of the arena is the 40/40 Club.
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 37.71 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 19,800
Who plays there: Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs (NHL)
Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as Air Canada Centre, was voted as high as second overall by two NBA writers.
The arena’s existence over the first 10 years of operation resulted in an estimated economic benefit of $2.4 billion.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 35.24 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2018
Capacity: 17,341
Who plays there: Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles (NCAA)
Fiserv Forum’s $1.2 billion arena received one first-place vote in our media poll.
Dylan Buell/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 30.86 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 17,923
Who plays there: Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever (WNBA)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse received four second-place votes in our media poll and will host the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
“Indiana’s daytime natural lighting makes it one of my favorite arenas in the league,” one NBA beat writer told HoopsHype. Another writer noted the arena’s delicious ice cream, milkshakes and popcorn.
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 28.38 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2001
Capacity: 20,000
Who plays there: Dallas Mavericks and Stars (NHL)
American Airlines Center received three third-place votes in our media poll.
The Mavericks’ lease on American Airlines Center runs through 2031, and once it runs out, owner Mark Cuban has considered a new arena to replace it.
Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 27.81 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 19,600
Who plays there: Miami Heat
Kaseya Center received two fourth-place votes in our media poll.
After changing names multiple times over the past few years, the arena reached a 17-year naming rights deal with Kaseya.
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 25.33 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2017
Capacity: 20,332
Who plays there: Detroit Pistons and Red Wings (NHL)
Little Caesars Arena is one of only four arenas with a capacity of 20,000 fans or more and received one second-place vote in our media poll.
“Little Caesars Arena has the best media dining in the league and not a bad seat either,” one veteran NBA beat writer told HoopsHype.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 24.76 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1996
Capacity: 20,478
Who plays there: Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers (NHL), Wings (NLL)
The Wells Fargo Center received one third-place vote in our media poll and holds the second-highest fan capacity for NBA games.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 22.48 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2004
Capacity: 18,119
Who plays there: Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis Tigers (NCAA)
One media member voted for FedExForum as his favorite arena in the league.
“Memphis has the best media seat in the league,” that NBA beat writer told HoopsHype. “They still have you at the scorer’s table. I look forward to going to that arena every year.”
FedExForum was the first arena to utilize new see-through shot clock units so fans behind the basket could see the game without interference.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 21.14 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1995
Capacity: 19,393
Who plays there: Portland Trail Blazers and Winterhawks (CHL)
The Moda Center received two fifth-place votes in our media poll and cracked the NBA’s Top 10 fan capacity.
Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 18.86 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1990
Capacity: 18,798
Who plays there: Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx (WNBA)
The Target Center is the NBA’s second-oldest arena, behind Madison Square Garden, and received one second-place vote in our media poll.
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 18.48 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 19,520
Who plays there: Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL)
Ball Arena received two fifth-place votes in our media poll.
Janae Williams/The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network
Share of the vote: 18.10 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2002
Capacity: 18,203
Who plays there: Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center received one fourth-place vote in our media poll.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 16.19 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 16,600
Who plays there: Atlanta Hawks
State Farm Arena received one fourth-place vote in our media poll and has the NBA’s lowest fan capacity at 16,600.
Jason Miller/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 15.24 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1994
Capacity: 19,432
Who plays there: Cleveland Cavaliers and Monsters (AHL)
The arena’s “Humongotron” scoreboard is the fourth-largest scoreboard of NBA arenas.
“Great food, environment and game experience,” one NBA beat writer who voted the arena fourth overall told HoopsHype. “The recent changes help.”
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 15.05 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2010
Capacity: 18,846
Who plays there: Orlando Magic, Solar Bears (ECHL), Predators (NAL)
Amway Center was voted as high as fifth overall by one media member in our poll.
Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 14.67 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1991
Capacity: 18,306
Who plays there: Utah Jazz
Delta Center, which has hosted the 1993 and 2023 NBA All-Star Weekends, received four seventh-place votes from media members.
Chris Coduto/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 7.43 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1992
Capacity: 18,422
Who plays there: Phoenix Suns and Mercury (WNBA)
Footprint Center, which hosted the 1995 and 2009 NBA All-Star Games, was voted as high as ninth overall by one media member in our poll.
Ronald Cortes/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 6.10 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2002
Capacity: 18,418
Who plays there: San Antonio Spurs
The Frost Bank Center was voted as high as seventh overall by one writer in our poll.
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Share of the vote: 5.90 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1999
Capacity: 16,867
Who plays there: New Orleans Pelicans and Louisiana VooDoo (AFL)
The Smoothie King Center was voted as high as sixth overall by one NBA writer in our poll.
The arena hosted the NBA All-Star Games in 2014 and 2017 and has the second-lowest NBA fan capacity.
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 5.14 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2005
Capacity: 19,077
Who plays there: Charlotte Hornets
Spectrum Center, which hosted the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, was voted as high as sixth overall by two NBA writers in our poll.
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 2.86 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 1997
Capacity: 20,356
Who plays there: Washington Wizards, Capitals (NHL), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA)
Capital One Arena, which hosted the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, has the third-highest fan capacity in the league at 20,356.
One media member voted the arena as high as 11th in our poll.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Share of the vote: 2.67 percent of maximum amount possible
Opening: 2003
Capacity: 18,055
Who plays there: Houston Rockets
Only five media members voted for Houston’s Toyota Center, which was the lowest total of the poll.
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