Oklahoma City Mayor Unveils $1B Thunder Arena Design

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt unveiled the conceptual design for the city's new $1 billion downtown arena during his State of the City address, marking a major milestone for the city and the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The arena, designed by MANICA Architecture in collaboration with the Thunder and city officials, features a striking circular glass structure with a 360-degree glass curtain wall, providing panoramic views of downtown and a transparent, communal atmosphere. The venue will include a west-facing entrance aligned with the Myriad Botanical Gardens, a vibrant street-level fan zone called 'Thunder Alley,' and an interior wood 'vessel' for warmth and intimacy. The project, funded by sales tax, MAPS 4, and $50 million from Thunder ownership, is scheduled to open in 2028 on the site of the former Cox Convention Center, which is currently being demolished. The design emphasizes bringing fans closer to the action and celebrates Oklahoma City's evolution into a 'big-league city.' The naming rights for the new arena are still undetermined following Paycom's early exit from its current agreement, and further design details will be finalized in the coming months.