Top Ten Biggest NBA Arenas

Posted on 29. Oct, 2009 by Peter in Basketball

We like to do stadium lists, and here is our latest creation – The top 10 biggest basketball arenas in the NBA -

Number 10 – Izod Center, New Jersey Nets – 20,049

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Due to it’s many name changes over the years, the Izod Center, one of the oldest NBA venues (1981) is usually referred to as the Meadowlands arena. It’s been home to many teams from different sports along the years, but currently it’s home only to the New Jersey Nets.

Number 9 – Verizon Center, Washington Wizards – 20,173

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The Verizon Center has been the home of the Washington Wizards since 1997, and it was called the MCI center ’till 2006, when Verizon purchased MCI. Due to it’s owner, the arena is mostly known as “the phone booth”. Clever fans. The Wizards share their home with the Capitals (NHL), Mystics (WNBA) and the Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA).

Number 8 – Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte Bobcats – 20,200

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The “TWC” as it’s mostly referred to, was opened on October 2005, built to be the new stadium of the expansion team, the Charlotte Bobcats. The Bobcats played their first season in the NBA back in the older Charlotte Coliseum. . The TWC hasn’t seen a playoff yet, like the entire Bobcats organization.

Number 7 – Target Center, Minnesota Timberwolves – 20,500

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Entering it’s third decade of existence this year, the Target Center has been around since 1990, and the ‘Wolves have been playing there ever since. It is also the home of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, and the crowd there still missed the playoff days of the early 2000’s and late 90’s. It’s a long shot that they’ll be coming back this year. Maybe in April 2011.

Number 6 – Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland Cavaliers – 20,562

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The home of the Cavs since 1994 was a real fortress last season, with the Cavs holding a 39-2 record through the regular season there. They lost their home opener to the Celtics this season. The worst named arena on this list is usually named “the Q” by fans and others, and this year maybe it’s last chance to have a championship celebrated within it’s walls in a long long time (Lebron boltin’ in the summer?)

Number 5 – Rose Garden, Portland Trail Blazers – 20,630

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The Rose garden arena has been the home of the ‘Blazers since 1995 and is one of the few stadiums in the league not named after some company, financial group, etc. (Having a mega-rich owner like Paul Allen helps). The name was actually chosen to reflect Portland’s reputation as the “Rose City”.

Number 4 – American Airlines Center, Dallas Mavericks – 21,041

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The AAC has been the home of the Mavs since 2001, with the Dallas Stars (NHL) sharing the venue. When the arena opened in July, 2001, it witnessed the largest ribbon cutting ceremony ever, according to the Guinness book of records. It also witnessed a few playoff meltdowns by the Mavs, most notably in 2006 and 2007.

Number 3 – United Center, Chicago Bulls – 21,500

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The home of the Chicago Bulls since 1994, witnessing the Bulls’ second three-peat (1996-1998) and is also the home of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. The arena’s, or it’s surroundings most famous landmark is the Michael Jordan statue just outside.

Number 2 – Wachovia Center, Philadelphia 76ers – 21,600

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Home of the 76ers and the Flyers (NHL) since 1996, the Wachovia Center is the arena’s third name, after CoreStates Center and the First Union Center. It was usually called the Spectrum II up until it’s construction was finished. Like 80% of this list, it hasn’t seen an NBA championship.

Number 1 – The Palace of Auburn Hills, Detroit Pistons – 22,076

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Despite the arena being around since 1988 and witnessing three titles won by the Pistons, it’s most famous occurrence was the Pacers-Pistons brawl, or “the malice in the palace” back from 2004. When one of the arena’s occupants wins a title, the address is changed, and currently the address is 6 championship drive (3 titles by the WNBA’s Detroit Shock).

For other top 10 biggest stadium lists – MLB, NFL, College Football, Soccer.

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