Paycom Center

Paycom Center
"Loud City"; "The Thunderdome";
	Paycom Center in 2021
	Paycom Center Location in Oklahoma Paycom Center Location in the United States
Former names	Ford Center (2002–2010); Oklahoma City Arena (2010–2011); Chesapeake Energy Arena (2011–2021)
Address	100 West Reno Avenue
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Coordinates	35°27′48″N 97°30′54″W / 35.46333°N 97.51500°W
Public transit	Heartland Flyer; OKC Streetcar Arena
Owner	City of Oklahoma City
Operator	ASM Global
Capacity	Basketball: 18,203; Hockey: 15,152; Concerts: 16,591; WWE/Boxing/MMA: 16,757
Construction
Broke ground	May 11, 1999
Opened	June 8, 2002
Construction cost	US$89.2 million; ($151 million in 2023 dollars)
Architect	The Benham Companies, LLC.; Sink Combs Dethlefs
Services engineer	M-E Engineers, Inc.
General contractor	Flintco Construction Co.
Tenants
	Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL) (2002–2009); Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (AF2) (2004–2008); New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (NBA) (2005–2007); Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (2008–present); Oklahoma City Blue (NBAGL) (2021–present); Oklahoma Freedom (PBR) (2022–2023); Oklahoma Wildcatters (PBR) (2024-present)
Website
	paycomcenter.com

Paycom Center (originally known as the Ford Center from 2002 to 2010, Oklahoma City Arena from 2010 to 2011, and Chesapeake Energy Arena from 2011 to 2021) 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 (now Prairie Surf Studios). In addition to its use as a sports venue, Paycom Center 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.^[5]

From 2005 to 2007, the arena also served as the temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets of the NBA when the Hornets were forced to play games elsewhere following extensive damage to New Orleans Arena and the city of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina. During the two seasons in Oklahoma City, the team was known as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. The response from fans while the Hornets played in Oklahoma City was an impetus to the city being discussed prior to 2008 for the location of a future NBA team, either by relocation or expansion.

^ Lackmeyer, Steve (May 12, 1999). "Company to Manage Both Downtown Arenas". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved February 24, 2012.
^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
^ "Ford Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma". M-E Engineers, Inc. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
^ "What's on Deck". SportsBusiness Journal. July 30, 2001. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
^ "Chesapeake Energy Arena - Fast Facts - Capacities". Retrieved April 13, 2017.

[1] Lackmeyer, Steve (May 12, 1999). "Company to Manage Both Downtown Arenas". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved February 24, 2012.

[inflation-US-2] 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.

[3] "Ford Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma". M-E Engineers, Inc. Archived from the original on March 16, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2011.

[4] "What's on Deck". SportsBusiness Journal. July 30, 2001. Retrieved September 22, 2011.

[5] "Chesapeake Energy Arena - Fast Facts - Capacities". Retrieved April 13, 2017.

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Construction
"Loud City" "The Thunderdome"

Paycom Center in 2021
Paycom Center Location in Oklahoma Show map of Oklahoma Paycom Center Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Former names	Ford Center (2002–2010) Oklahoma City Arena (2010–2011) Chesapeake Energy Arena (2011–2021)
Address	100 West Reno Avenue
Location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Coordinates	35°27′48″N 97°30′54″W / 35.46333°N 97.51500°W / 35.46333; -97.51500
Public transit	Heartland Flyer OKC Streetcar Arena
Owner	City of Oklahoma City
Operator	ASM Global
Capacity	Basketball: 18,203 Hockey: 15,152 Concerts: 16,591 WWE/Boxing/MMA: 16,757
Broke ground	May 11, 1999^[1]
Opened	June 8, 2002
Construction cost	US$89.2 million ($151 million in 2023 dollars^[2])
Architect	The Benham Companies, LLC. Sink Combs Dethlefs
Services engineer	M-E Engineers, Inc.^[3]
General contractor	Flintco Construction Co.^[4]
Tenants
Oklahoma City Blazers (CHL) (2002–2009) Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (AF2) (2004–2008) New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets (NBA) (2005–2007) Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA) (2008–present) Oklahoma City Blue (NBAGL) (2021–present) Oklahoma Freedom (PBR) (2022–2023) Oklahoma Wildcatters (PBR) (2024-present)
Website
paycomcenter.com