Chesapeake Energy Arena (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Chesapeake Energy Arena, originally known as the Ford Center from 2002 to 2010 and Oklahoma City Arena until 2011, is an arena located in Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It opened in 2002 and since 2008 has served as the home venue for the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s Oklahoma City Thunder. Previously, the arena was home to the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League (CHL) from 2002 until the team folded in July 2009, and the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz of AF2 from 2004 to 2009 when the team moved to the Cox Convention Center.

In addition to its use as a sports venue, Chesapeake Energy Arena hosts concerts, family and social events, conventions, ice shows, and civic events. The arena is owned by the city and operated by the SMG property management company and has 18,203 seats in the basketball configuration, 15,152 for hockey, and can seat up to 16,591 for concerts.

General information

Official website: https://www.chesapeakearena.com/

Arena capacity: 18,203 spectators

Address: 100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 35°27′48″N 97°30′54″W

Year of construction: June 8, 2002

Construction cost: $89.2 million

Seating plan of the Chesapeake Energy Arena

Cox Club Level

Wrapping around the arena on the second tier of seating, the Cox Club Level is a great place to sit to watch a Thunder game at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The views are elevated which allows viewers to easily see the court, and the premium club benefits create an upscale feel. Club amenities during Thunder games include access to the club level concourse with private lounges and upscale restaurant options as well as the use of a private entrance to avoid the crowds.

Courtside Club

(Rows FL1-FL4 are part of the Courtside Club)

The closest seating option of any for a basketball game at Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Courtside Club seats combine impressive views and premium amenities to create a truly impressive experience during a basketball game.

Fans are treated to in-seat wait service, and access to multiple Courtside Club lounges which feature upscale food and beverage options, luxurious furniture, and numerous flat screen televisions.

Courtside seats in Section 117 provide the closest proximity behind the Thunder team bench, or fans can sit adjacent to the Thunder bench in Rows FL1 and FL2 of Section 116. Conversely, visiting team fans will prefer either the Courtside seats in Section 114 (behind the bench), or Section 115 (between the bench and the scorers table).

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Section 320:

• Close to the Spirit Stations outside Section 322 where fans can make their own signs or get a temporary tattoo;
• Visit the Fan Mail kiosk outside nearby Section 318 where you can write a letter to your favorite player.
• Find the best odds for sports betting.

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Sections 207, 208, 209 and 222:

• Great elevated views with traditional sight lines along the sides of the arena;
• Enjoy the comforts and amenities on the premium Cox Club level.

Recommended Seats for Partying and Socializing

Section 113:

• Close to the Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Club and Budweiser Brew House Carvery.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Rows L and up in Sections 105 and 106:

• Amazing views near mid court with head on perspective to the team benches;
• Excellent seating height above court level for superior sight lines;
• Close to entry tunnels for quicker, easier access.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, as well as online or by phone. Tickets may also be purchased at the Chesapeake Energy Arena Box Office.

Arena Box Office

The Chesapeake Energy Arena box office is located just off West Reno Avenue between Robinson and E.K. Gaylord.

• Box Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

• • Evening, weekend and holiday hours vary according to event schedules
• Types of Payment Accepted: The Box Office accepts cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards.
• Cell Phone Policy: In order for ticket sellers to provide prompt, ticket buyers may not approach the ticket window to place their order while on a cell phone call.

Order Online

To order tickets online 24 hours a day – visit Ticketmaster. Service charges and additional fees apply.

Outlets

Tickets can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets. Visit the Ticketmaster website to locate an outlet near you.

Outlet Pickup

Ticketmaster now makes it even more convenient to pick up tickets purchased by phone on or online by allowing you to select outlet or retail location pickup as your delivery method when placing your order. Visit the Ticketmaster website to locate an outlet near you. Tickets are available for pickup anytime after the purchase through the event day and time of the event you purchased. To claim your tickets, simply present your account/confirmation number, picture ID, and the credit card used to place the order at a participating retail outlet and the Ticket Center representative will swipe the credit card to print your tickets.

Print-at-Home

Print-at-Home is the most convenient way of receiving your tickets. When you select Print-at-Home as your delivery method during purchase, you’ll receive your tickets via email. Not only will you get your tickets right away, but you can print them out anytime before the event.

General Information

Cancellations

In the event of a cancellation, please return tickets to the place of purchase for a refund. If you ordered your tickets by phone or online, Ticketmaster will automatically refund your order.

Children’s tickets

Children’s ticket policies vary by event. For most shows geared toward children, any child who has reached their first birthday must have a ticket. For most concerts and touring shows, children who have reached their second birthday require a ticket. For Oklahoma City Thunder games, children ages 2 & below do not require a game ticket; ages 3 and up (this includes children needing a seat) require a game ticket to enter Chesapeake Energy Arena.

In some cases an event will require every guest, regardless of age, to have a ticket. However, for every event, a child will require a ticket in order for them to have their own seat. To verify the policy for a specific event, check that event’s page on the Chesapeake Arena website or feel free to contact us by email.

Refunds

Please confirm your ticket selection at the time of purchase as tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.

Resale of Tickets

The resale of event tickets on the grounds of Chesapeake Energy Arena is strictly prohibited. To avoid problems with inflated prices, counterfeit or stolen tickets, please purchase your tickets through authorized Ticketmaster outlets only.

Accessible Seating

Tickets for wheelchair accessible seating may be purchased along with seating for companions or guests at the box office, by phone and online.

Please indicate when purchasing tickets if you require accessible seating. For additional information, please visit our Accessibility Guide.

Will Call

When purchasing tickets by phone or online, you may choose to pick them up at the Box Office Will Call window during normal business hours, beginning 48 hours after purchase or on the day of the show. Will Call policies may vary for select events, so please check the event page where any changes will be noted.

When picking up Will Call tickets, please be prepared to provide the credit card used to purchase the tickets as well as a valid photo I.D., and your order confirmation.

Press and VIP tickets are typically available approximately 60-90 minutes prior to the event, and can also be picked up at Will Call with a valid photo I.D.

Seat Numbers

When facing the stage or playing surface, seat No. 1 will always be the farthest to the right in each row at the arena.

Oklahoma City Thunder single games tickets range from as low as $15 for the upper concourse to $2500 for courtside seating.  The average ticket price is $55, which is around the NBA’s overall average.

Oklahoma City having only one professional team from the four major sports helps in creating a strong fan base. The arena is also up to date in every modern aspect, however, the arena has no luxury boxes, so the upper deck seems closer to the action than at most other venues.

Chesapeake Energy Arena, being a top notch facility, with the fans creating a wonderful atmosphere, has an above average return on investment, when you consider how to spend your entertainment dollars.

How to get there?

Chesapeake Energy Arena is conveniently located at 100 W Reno Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73102, just off I-40 in downtown Oklahoma City – across the street from Cox Convention Center – and just steps away from a number of hotels, attractions, and dining and entertainment options in Downtown Oklahoma City and Bricktown.

Below are directions, as well as a number or links to help you plan your visit.

Directions

Traveling East on I-40:

• Exit at Shields and proceed north toward downtown;
• Turn left on Reno Ave and the arena will be on your left;
• Those parking in the Cox Convention Center parking garage can access it by continuing north on EK Gaylord past Reno and turning left.
• Find the best odds for sports betting.

Traveling West on I-40:

• Exit I-40 onto I-235 N;
• Take Exit 1C for Sheridan Ave W toward Downtown;
• Follow Sheridan west into Bricktown;
• Proceed west to EK Gaylord;
• Turn left onto EK Gaylord (Please not that you can access the east entrance to the underground parking garage at the Cox Convention Center from EK Gaylord);
• Chesapeake Energy Arena is located at the SW corner of EK Gaylord and Reno Ave.

Traveling North on I-35:

• Continue onto I-235 N;
• Take Exit 1C for Sheridan Ave W toward Downtown;
• Follow Sheridan west into Bricktown;
• Proceed west to EK Gaylord;
• Turn left onto EK Gaylord (Please note that you can access the east entrance to the underground parking garage at the Cox Convention Center from EK Gaylord);
• New predictions for soccer, tennis, hockey, basketball, etc. are created every hour.
• Chesapeake Energy Arena is just west of EK Gaylord and Reno.

Traveling South on I-35:

• Continue onto I-40 W;
• Exit onto I-235 N;
• Take Exit 1C for Sheridan Ave W toward Downtown;
• Follow Sheridan west into Bricktown;
• Proceed west to EK Gaylord;
• Turn left onto EK Gaylord (Please note that you can access the east entrance to the underground parking garage at the Cox Convention Center from EK Gaylord);
• Chesapeake Energy Arena is just west of EK Gaylord and Reno.

Parking & Public Transportation

Parking

More than 900 parking spaces are available at the neighboring Cox Convention Center in the underground parking garage which is managed by Republic Parking Systems.Accessible parking is available. Entrances to this garage are available on the west side off of Robinson, and on the east side off of E.K. Gaylord.

For further information on the Cox Convention Center parking garage and other City parking facilities, you may call, visit ParkingOKC.

Tailgating at Chesapeake Energy Arena

In order to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment, Chesapeake Energy Arena asks that guests be courteous to those around them and abide by building policies. Guests using foul or abusive language, behaving in an unruly manner or appearing intoxicated are subject to ejection and/or arrest.

Public Transit to Chesapeake Energy Arena

Buses

Taking the Embark public transit is easy, convenient and best of all, affordable.

Children under 6 are free. Reduced Fare is available senior adults age 60 or older, persons on Medicare, persons with a qualifying disability, and youth ages 7-17. An EMBARK Reduced Fare ID is required.

Only change cards are issued onboard buses. Use exact changes as all sales are final. No refunds will be issued.

Cycling

Spokies, Oklahoma City’s bike share program is available for fans to get to the arena in a fun, healthy and affordable way. Fans can purchase a membership that comes with unlimited 30-minutes rides. Each additional half hour is $2 with a maximum charge per day of $75. Heads up! If you don’t return your bike within 48 hours, there’s a $500 charge. You can buy a fancy, brand new one for that much – so don’t forget to return your Spokies bike!

Chesapeake Energy Arena Handicap Parking

Guests may be dropped off near the entrances at Reno and Robinson. The elevators nearest this northwest entrance provide access to all seating levels. Accessible parking is available in the parking lots on the south side of Chesapeake Energy Arena. Entrances are available on S.W. 3rd Street, east of Robinson. Accessible parking specs are also available in the underground parking garage at the neighboring Cox Convention.

Where to eat?

The food and beverage area for every NBA venue across the country is becoming five-star. Of course, the more food and beverage options, the more the cost of buying the items.

There are numerous food and beverage choices inside Chesapeake Energy Arena, including two sit-down bars and restaurants on the lower concourse, the Center Court Grill and the Old No. 7 Club. In addition, the Fast Break and Baseline concessions stands offer all the favorites, such as jumbo hot dogs priced at $5.25, and chili cheese dogs for $6.50. Regular nachos with cheese and jalapenos cost $5, while the super nachos with chili, cheese, jalapenos, sour cream, and salsa are $7.

Souvenir popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels, and peanuts range from $4 to $6. Pizza Hut, Taco Mayo, Casa Azul, Wing-N-It, Backyard BBQ, Schwab & CO (specialty hot dogs), Burger Zone (various types of stuffed burgers), and Red River Bistro concession stands are located throughout the arena, providing a variety of other food choices.

Besides the concessions, the concourse has mobile food carts, such as a potato cart, deli cart, and the full press cart, which serves gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Coke products dominate the non-alcohol beverages at the concession stands here; the best value is the $6 souvenir OKC Thunder cup, otherwise it is $4.25 for a regular size soda or bottled water.

The alcohol selection is as plentiful as the food menu, with beer, wine, and call drinks available. Basic domestic beers such as Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Shiner Bock, and Miller Lite bottles go for $6.50, while domestic drafts are $7.50. Wine costs $7 for basic or $9 for premium, and call beverages are $8.50 for basic or $9.50 for premium.  There is also a Sam Adams Brewhouse serving Rebel IPA, Angry Orchard, Sam Adams Seasonal Brew, and Sam Adams Lager, all on draft for $8.50.

Premium Seating

Whether entertaining business clients, closing a major deal or socializing with family and friends, premium seating and suite options provide the very best in sports and entertainment. Offerings include the following.

Club Seating

As a member, you will have exclusive access to the Club Level and its premium restaurants and bars which are perfect for dining, entertaining and mingling with other Club guests.

Benefits:

• Separate Club/Suite Level Entrance located on the east side of the arena.
• Exclusive access to the Club Level which features a carpeted concourse, larger seats with cup holders, up-scale restrooms and an extraordinary Guest Relations staff for personalized service.
• First right to purchase tickets for their Club Seats to most arena events.
• Complimentary VIP parking for all Thunder home games (one pass per two seats).
• Professional assistance from your Thunder Premium Account Manager
• And many more benefits enjoyed by Thunder Full Season Ticket Members.

Suites

Suite Members enjoy elite privileges from the comfort of a suite, you will have a personal suite attendant for in-suite food/beverage service perfect for private dining and entertaining guests.

Benefits:

• Suite Members automatically receive tickets for their suite to most other arena events.
• Club/Suite Level Entrance located on the east side of the arena.
• Exclusive access to the Club Level.
• Complimentary VIP parking for all home games (1 for every 4 permanent suite seats).
• Professional assistance from your Thunder Premium Account Manager for all your Thunder and Arena event needs.
• Executive Suites are available for lease, packages and nightly rentals, call a Thunder Premium Sales Account Executive for availability and details.

Terrace Suites

All-inclusive food and non-alcoholic beverages, including in‑seat service and a full-service bar available for beer, wine & spirits.

Benefits:

• Terrace Suite ownership includes tickets for most concerts, family shows & other events held at the arena.
• Complimentary VIP parking for all Thunder home games (one pass per two seats).
• Professional assistance from your Thunder Premium Account Manager to facilitate all of your Thunder and event needs.
• And many more benefits enjoyed by Thunder Full Season Ticket Holders.
• Terrace Suites are available for lease, packages and nightly rentals, call a Premium Sales Account Executive for availability & details.

Courtside

Besides their unparalleled proximity to the court, Courtside Seats come with access to premium Courtside Clubs, behind-the-scenes views of the action and other elite privileges.

Benefits:

• Exclusive access to the Courtside Club featuring numerous flat-screen HDTV’s, three full-service bars, and a large fireplace.
• In-seat food and beverage service while you enjoy the game.
• Complimentary VIP parking for all Thunder home games (one pass per 2-floor seats owned).
• Invitations to private Thunder events and opportunities to mingle with Thunder players.
• Professional assistance from your Thunder Premium Account Manager for all your Thunder needs.

Atmosphere

Chesapeake Energy Arena, hosting Oklahoma’s only major league sport team, is considered by many to be one of the better atmospheres in the NBA.

The corporate pricing of tickets in all the NBA arenas usually leads to diehard fans sitting in the upper deck; Chesapeake Energy Arena understands this concept, and promotes the entire upper level seating as Loud City. There is also plenty of signage around the arena, letting fans know that their loudness is what creates the atmosphere inside the arena. The upper concourse even has a concessions stand called Loud City Grill, and there is also a sign showing the population of the upper deck, listed at 7,631.

All of this is a great preview of how the atmosphere inside the arena will be during the game. The decibel level is high throughout the game, and the pregame ceremony includes various Thunder clips, shown on the top notch hi-def scoreboard over the court. Once the lights go out for the Thunder introductions, a loud tornado siren with artificial lightning goes off inside the arena.  The Storm Chasers, a group of young men and women, along with the Thunder Girls, appear on the court cheering and waving flags before the players are introduced, and the noise continues to get louder.

There are also the typical game day promotions of half-court shots and t-shirts being tossed, but the Thunder mascot, Rumble the Bison, is one of the better mascots in the NBA; whether he is dunking or firing off t-shirts with his air machine gun, Rumble is always impressing the fans with his entertainment.

In addition, the Storm Chasers continue to keep the crowd cheering throughout the game, with different chants depending on the situation. You also have the Spirit Zone on each level, where you can get face tattoos or have caricatures of yourself drawn. Overall, the atmosphere, along with the great fan base of the Thunder, can compete with any NBA venue as being the best when it comes to this rating.

Neighborhood

Chesapeake Energy Arena is located in downtown Oklahoma City, near the historic Bricktown District, across the street from Cox Convention Center; Bricktown is the entertainment district in downtown Oklahoma City. Formerly a major warehousing district, this area was renovated with the construction of Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in 1998; the ballpark is home to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate team, the Oklahoma City Dodgers.

Bricktown offers a wonderful pre/postgame atmosphere within walking distance. Similar to San Antonio’s famous Riverwalk, Bricktown has a canal that allows boat trips between the many restaurants. Some of the restaurants in the area are the Bricktown Brewery, Bourbon Street Café, Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grille, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, and the popular Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse.

The area provides lodging within walking distance, with a Marriott Courtyard next door to Chesapeake Energy Arena.  A Hampton Inn & Suites sits next to Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, while the Sheraton and Hilton hotels are located on the other side of the Cox Convention Center.

Some of the attractions around Oklahoma City outside of Bricktown include the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum, located just north of the arena, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Fans

When looking at the average attendance for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team ranks in the middle of the NBA, but that isn’t because of the OKC fans. Chesapeake Energy Arena is constantly sold out, with the average attendance being the seating capacity of 18,203.

The fact that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the only major professional sports team in the state of Oklahoma helped create the crazed, diehard Thunder fan base. Thunder fans are amazing; the dedication, friendliness, kind spirit, and enthusiasm the fans bring to a Thunder game is simply top-notch in the NBA. The fans all seem to be dressed in Thunder jerseys and hats, and they remain loud throughout the game. The fans even mimic a college basketball tradition of standing and cheering until the first Thunder points are scored.

Improvements

Renovation work on the arena was delayed due to a sales tax receipt shortfall during the economic crisis; eventual tax receipts totaled $103.5 million rather than the projected $121 million. The shortfall was accommodated by revising plans for certain features of the arena expansion project, including limiting the size of a new glass entryway, and eliminating a practice court planned for above the delivery entrance of the arena.

Major construction work on the arena expansion was also delayed. Similar revisions were made to the plans for the Thunder’s separate practice facility, for a total cost savings of approximately $14 million. The Thunder’s practice facility completion date was similarly pushed back.

History

The arena is owned by Oklahoma City and was opened on June 8, 2002, three years after construction began. It is located adjacent to the Robinson Avenue exit of I-40 Crosstown Expressway in downtown Oklahoma City. The original Ford Center name came from a naming rights deal with the Oklahoma Ford Dealers group which represented the marketing efforts of the state’s Ford dealerships, rather than the Ford Motor Company itself.

The facility was the premier component of the city’s Capital Improvement Program, known as Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS), which financed new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural, and convention facilities primarily in the downtown section with a temporary 1-cent sales tax assessed. Despite the “metropolitan” moniker of the improvement program, the tax was only assessed inside city limits.

Originally billed and marketed as a “state-of-the-art” facility, Oklahoma City Arena was actually constructed to minimum NBA and NHL specifications. The arena was built without luxury amenities because of local concerns on expenditures on an arena without a major-league tenant, with the ability to create “buildout” amenities and improvements to the arena if a professional sports team announced it would relocate to the city.

A plan for such buildout improvements began in the wake of acquisition of the Seattle SuperSonics by an Oklahoma-City based ownership group. Originally, city officials had hoped to include Oklahoma City Arena buildout improvements as part of a planned “MAPS 3” initiative.