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Paycom Center Information

Chesapeake Energy Arena

Paycom Center, originally known as the Ford Center, is an arena located in Oklahoma City. It opened in 2002 and has served as the home venue for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008. Before then, the arena was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the CHL until the team folded in 2009 and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs of the AF2 from 2004 to 2009. The venue was also the temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets after Hurricane Katrina forced the team to play in outside venues from 2005 to 2007, which led to a lot of talk from fans about the city claiming an NBA team as relocation or expansion.

While the arena is best known for the high-energy sporting events it hosts, it has also become known as a fine Oklahoma venue for major concerts, social events, conventions, ice shows, and civic events for the local community.

Historically, the arena was a major part of Oklahoma City’s 1993 Capital Improvement Program, which financed new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural, and convention facilities across the city with a temporary 1-cent sales tax.

The venue was billed as a state-of-the-art facility but was originally constructed to meet the minimum requirements set forth by the NBA and NHL specifications. This meant the facility lacked a lot of the luxuries that larger arenas were used to since the arena didn’t originally have a professional team in residence. But the designers were smart to design it in such a way to allow expansion and buildout amenities if a professional team announced relocation to Oklahoma City.

This foresight led to success when the Seattle SuperSonics were acquired by an Oklahoma-City based group in October 2006, which led to another temporary sales tax to pay for the arena expansions. These expansions included luxury seating areas and a high-quality scoreboard, as well as brand new signs.

The city used the revenue well and built up the Chesapeake Energy Arena to become the state-of-the-art facility that professional venues deserve, which also enticed professional wrestling organizations such as the WWE to come to the arena for some of their live shows.

From a humble plan to revitalize Oklahoma City, the Paycom Center has been born, updated, and strengthened to remain one of the best arenas in the city.

Paycom Center is Oklahoma City’s premier entertainment destination, welcoming more than 1 million guests each year to its modern, 18,203-seat arena. Located in the heart of downtown at 100 W. Reno Avenue, the facility has earned its reputation as one of the nation’s leading venues for NBA basketball, major concerts, and world-class live entertainment since opening on June 8, 2002.

Home to the Oklahoma City Thunder of the NBA, Paycom Center features multiple seating levels designed for unobstructed views, along with luxury suites, club seating, and premium amenities throughout all concourses.

The arena combines advanced technology with guest-focused services, offering cashless transactions, modern concessions, and accessible design to ensure a seamless fan experience.

Built as part of Oklahoma City’s landmark Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) initiative, the arena played a key role in the revitalization of downtown and the nearby Bricktown Entertainment District.  

About Paycom Center: Where World-Class Entertainment Comes Alive

Paycom Center stands as Oklahoma City’s leading destination for live entertainment, redefining what audiences can expect from a modern arena experience. Let’s explore what makes this downtown Oklahoma City arena a standout destination for sports, concerts, and entertainment.

Facility Overview

Paycom Center encompasses approximately 586,000 square feet of space designed to accommodate a wide variety of events, from NBA games to ice shows, concerts, and family entertainment. The arena’s flexible configuration allows seamless transitions between event types while maintaining exceptional production quality and comfort.

Guests enjoy modern seating throughout the venue, with upgraded, padded seating available in premium areas like the Club Level and Luxury Suites. This feature distinguishes the premium options from older arenas and enhances the modern fan experience.  

Reputation and Recognition

Since opening its doors in 2002, Paycom Center has established itself as one of the premier multipurpose arenas in the region.

  • The venue quickly confirmed Oklahoma City’s ability to attract global talent. Paul McCartney was among the legendary artists who performed within the first year of operation. Other top-grossing acts that have played the arena include Elton John, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles.
  • The arena is known for hosting a wide range of events, from NBA basketball (as the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder since 2008) to major concerts and family shows.
  • Over its history, Paycom Center has hosted more than 1,200 events and welcomed over 10 million guests, with attendance figures consistently ranking among the strongest in its market.

Types of Events

Paycom Center’s calendar offers year-round entertainment across a diverse range of events, including the following:

  • NBA basketball: Home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, hosting 41 regular-season games each year (October to April) with playoff games extending into early summer

  • Concerts: Major touring acts across every genre, including rock, pop, country, hip-hop, and contemporary Christian artists

  • Family shows: Annual favorites for all ages, such as Disney On Ice, Cirque du Soleil, and monster truck tours

  • Sporting events: Competitions like NCAA basketball tournaments, professional wrestling, and other diverse athletic competitions

  • Special events: Large-scale gatherings, religious services, and graduation ceremonies that utilize the arena’s downtown accessibility and capacity

Amenities and Services

Modern amenities enhance the guest experience from arrival to departure. Paycom Center operates as a fully cashless facility, accepting all major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. This system ensures faster service at concessions and merchandise locations.

Guests benefit from free public Wi-Fi, digital signage for navigation and event updates, and friendly on-site staff available to provide assistance. First aid stations and lost-and-found services are available for convenience and safety, while accessible design features ensure an inclusive experience for all visitors.

Concessions and Dining

Concession stands located throughout all concourse levels serve a variety of fan favorites, including hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, pizza, and other classic arena staples. Select stands also feature regional and local Oklahoma flavors, giving guests a taste of the area’s culinary character.

Guests with club or suite seating can enjoy enhanced dining options, including freshly prepared salads, carved sandwiches, and specialty desserts. Beverage selections include soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, beer, wine, and cocktails for guests 21 and older.  

Venue History: From Visionary Project to Premier Destination

Paycom Center’s story is deeply intertwined with Oklahoma City’s remarkable transformation from a city rebuilding its identity to a thriving metropolitan destination. From groundbreaking to grand opening, from temporary NBA home to permanent Thunder territory, this Oklahoma City arena has witnessed and shaped pivotal moments in the city’s evolution.

Origins and Construction

The arena originated as part of Oklahoma City’s Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), a visionary capital improvement program funded through a temporary one-cent sales tax approved by voters. City leaders recognized that downtown revitalization required major entertainment and sports facilities. The arena project became a cornerstone of this broader urban renewal strategy.

Construction began in spring 1999, following extensive planning and design. Architects from The Atkins Benham Group created plans for a 581,000-square-foot facility designed to meet National Hockey League standards, ensuring maximum flexibility for various events. Flintco Construction Company served as the general contractor, managing the complex project.

The construction budget was entirely funded by MAPS project funding, demonstrating the community’s commitment to downtown investment. This public financing model avoided the debt burdens that complicate many arena projects, allowing the city to own the facility while contracting professional management.

Name Changes

The arena has operated under several names reflecting different corporate partnerships. Ford Center was its original name, established in April 2002 through an agreement with Oklahoma Ford Dealers.

The name was temporarily changed to Oklahoma City Arena in August 2010 while the Thunder negotiated new naming rights. On July 22, 2011, the venue became Chesapeake Energy Arena following a naming rights agreement with the Oklahoma City-based energy company. This name was terminated early in April 2021 as part of corporate restructuring.

The most recent naming change occurred on July 27, 2021, when the facility officially became Paycom Center through a long-term agreement with Oklahoma City-based Paycom, a leading provider of payroll and HR technology.

Early Events and Establishment

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed the venue’s first event in June 2002, appropriately launching the facility with family entertainment. This iconic circus represented exactly the type of touring production the arena aimed to attract.  

Major concerts quickly established the venue’s reputation as a premier music destination. Legendary performers, including Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Elton John, and Billy Joel, as well as Britney Spears, the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw, and Toby Keith, played sold-out shows.  

The New Orleans Hornets Era

The New Orleans Hornets franchise temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City to play most of its home games for the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 NBA seasons following Hurricane Katrina.

During that time, they played at the arena in Oklahoma City, when it was still known as the Ford Center. The temporary relocation is widely cited as helping demonstrate Oklahoma City as a viable NBA market, which preceded the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City to become the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2008 to 2009.

Oklahoma City Thunder Arrival

On April 18, 2008, NBA owners approved the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, where they became the Thunder for the 2008-2009 season. This marked a major milestone for Oklahoma City’s sports ambitions and set the stage for Paycom Center’s transition into an NBA venue.

The city committed to extensive arena upgrades, totaling roughly $120 million in renovations and supporting facilities, to meet NBA standards. The Thunder played their first regular season home game in Oklahoma City on October 29, 2008. From the start, the team found strong fan support and helped build one of the league’s most enthusiastic atmospheres.

Notable Events and Achievements

The arena has hosted numerous prestigious events beyond regular entertainment programming:

  • » It hosted the 2007 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament, bringing championship-level collegiate action to Oklahoma City. The event returned in 2009, reinforcing the venue as a preferred location for Big-12 men’s basketball.

  • » In women’s college basketball, the arena hosted the 2014 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Tournament in Oklahoma City.

  • » The facility hosted the 2006 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships and the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships. 

  • » On the sports and entertainment front, the arena hosted the WWE Unforgiven (2005) pay-per-view event. 

  • » It also served as a host for the Oklahoma Centennial Spectacular in 2007, celebrating the state’s 100th anniversary with a large scale production. 

  • » The arena has been a frequent site for the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, including 2003, 2005, and 2010.

Impact on Oklahoma City

The arena fundamentally changed Oklahoma City’s national perception and the trajectory of downtown development. The facility catalyzed significant investment in surrounding areas, particularly the Bricktown entertainment district. Restaurants, bars, hotels, and retail establishments followed the arena’s success, creating a vibrant urban core.

National media exposure from Thunder games and major concerts showcases Oklahoma City to millions of viewers. This visibility improved perceptions about the city, attracting additional business investment and tourism. The arena helped position Oklahoma City as a modern, thriving metropolitan area.

See the below pages for further information on the Paycom Center:

Paycom Center Parking:
Find out more about parking at the Paycom Center and driving information.

Ticket Policies:
Read about the ticket guarantees and authenticity policies when purchasing tickets via this website.

Chesapeake Energy Arena Seating Chart:
View the Paycom Center seating chart and the various seating options.