Oklahoma City Unveils $1B Thunder Arena Plans for 2028 Opening

Oklahoma City has unveiled preliminary renderings for a new, state-of-the-art arena set to open in late summer 2028 as the future home of the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The $900 million to $1 billion facility will be built on the site of the former Cox Convention Center, funded by a 72-month penny sales tax approved by voters, MAPS 4 funds, and a $50 million contribution from the Thunder ownership group, with assurances that the overall sales tax rate will not increase. Designed by MANICA Architecture with TVS as the architect of record and constructed by Flintco and Mortenson, the arena features a striking 360-degree glass curtain wall that offers panoramic views of the city and provides durability against Oklahoma's weather. The venue will have a wooden "vessel" seating bowl and outboard concourses to enhance the fan experience, making it a significant architectural statement aimed at raising the aesthetic standard of downtown Oklahoma City. The arena will be publicly funded, then leased to the Thunder for 25 years, securing the team's long-term future in the city through at least 2053. City officials and team leadership emphasize the arena's role in maintaining Oklahoma City's competitiveness for major league sports and concerts while serving as a transformative downtown landmark.