First Renderings for New OKC Arena Revealed
Oklahoma City has unveiled first concrete architectural designs for its planned new multi-purpose arena. The NBA team OKC Thunder is set to move into the new, nearly $1 billion venue at the end of 2028.
"The primary purpose of our new arena was to secure a long-term future with major league professional sports, and to keep us competitive for concerts," said OKC Mayor David Holt during the presentation. The new “first-class, state-of-the-art NBA arena and entertainment venue“ is to be built in the heart of the city centre, replacing Myriad Convention Centre (Prairie Surf Studios) and opposite the current Paycom Centre. Holt: "One of those other benefits is the opportunity to raise the aesthetic bar in our downtown and to make an architectural statement. This arena has the potential to become a signature building for our city, known around the world. I believe this design absolutely seizes that opportunity, and I am grateful to David Manica and his colleagues, as well as the Thunder and everyone who has been a part of this process the last few months. This arena design truly is one of one.“
The Oklahoma City New Arena was designed by the architectural team of MANICA Architecture as the design architect and TVS as the architect of record. The final design will require approval of City Council. In March, City Council approved the hiring of Flintco Construction and Mortenson Construction to serve as the construction team on the project. Architecturally, the conceptual design for the new venue includes a 360-degree glass curtain wall, offering panoramic views from all interior concourses, emphasizing transparency and connection.
The arena's west-facing main entrance, aligned with the adjacent Myriad Botanical Gardens and reflecting Oklahoma sunsets, features Thunder Alley—a vibrant fan activation zone at street level designed within the arena footprint. An elevated main entrance, situated on a grand podium, creates an inspiring sense of arrival and opens to the main concourse, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The interior concept prioritizes basketball, with optimized sight lines and a seating design that fosters an energetic, loud, and intimate experience.
“I'm thrilled and honored to be leading the design of the new arena in downtown Oklahoma City,” MANICA owner David Manica said. “The collaboration between my team, the City, and the Thunder has certainly resulted in a design that will set a new standard for multi-use sport venues around the world. The design is truly a one-of-a-kind, and there is nothing else like it in the world. It will be an icon for the future of this growing city, and a place for the community to come together to share incredible new memories for generations to come.” (stadiaworld, 01.08.2025)
