Taking in an NBA game is one of the best moments in sports, with high-flying action on the court complemented by atmospheres that create some of the most epic settings.
These 20 NBA arenas, nominated by an expert panel as the best, set that stage and then some, offering fans everything from incredible views to ultramodern amenities and, of course, basketball history.
Which NBA arena is the best? Vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, October 12, at noon ET. We'll announce the 10 winners on Wednesday, October 21.
The American Airlines Center opened in 2001, which means the venue is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The building is made of brick, granite, and limestone. One of the cooler features of the spot is its ability to go from a 20,000-seat basketball arena to one with more than 18,000 seats for hockey, thanks to retractable seating. It is surrounded by PNC Plaza, the spot to go before heading to a Mavs game.
Time flies. It felt like just yesterday when Barclays Center opened, and now it is in its 14th year. The venue offers some of the best sightlines for basketball, complementing its amenities. It is known for its culinary offerings. Foodies will love spending a game there—something for everyone, with plenty of support for fans and families.
The Chase Center is beautiful, fit for a player like Steph Curry. A raucous environment in a relatively new venue, the move from Oakland to San Francisco put the Warriors in one of the NBA's best arenas.
The name has changed, but the history and top-tier experience remain as strong as ever. Crypto.com is a must-see destination for NBA fans, from the amenities to the celebrity sightings and more. The atmosphere at a Lakers game is one of the best in the league, and the arena helps build the momentum.
With the addition of the Mammoth of the NHL, the Delta Center is becoming one of the premier venues in the NBA and sports. Last year, construction added a state-of-the-art seating plan to benefit Jazz and Mammoth fans. This is part of a plan to improve downtown Salt Lake City, and much of the work takes place during the offseason.
Fiserv Forum is home to the Bucks, and the fans dearly love the team and venue that opened in 2018. One interesting feature is that when the building opened, it had the largest center scoreboard over the court in the NBA. It's also fan friendly, with plenty of club seating if you can afford it as opposed to isolated luxury suites.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse is a fantastic spot for hoops, adding to Indiana's reputation as basketball country. The Fieldhouse takes care of spectators on every level, whether the game is at the prep, college, WNBA, or NBA level. This is a great place to see basketball and should be a bucket-list spot.
The Golden 1 Center is smack in the middle of the state capitol of California. The venue has earned numerous awards for its design and carbon- and grid-neutral features. Plenty of thought went into the building of this spot when it came to technology. Fans love watching the Kings play there, even if Sacramento hasn't been a winner on the court. The Golden 1 Center is a winner when it comes to NBA arenas.
A brand-new arena with all the amenities, bells and whistles one can dream of. Intuit Dome is the future, grabbing the spotlight today. A great place to see any event. Now, if the Clippers could only live up to the arena.
The Kaseya Center consistently ranks among the best NBA venues. While it hosts different events, this building is home to the Heat. It also has a high-end ability to feed fans with great offerings, plus an exciting brand of basketball in a hot spot.
Get a slice of NBA life by watching Pistons games at this NBA arena. The Pistons have staged a renaissance, and their fans are loving it. The Little Caesars Arena was supposed to be part of a bigger sports and entertainment complex that has yet to come to fruition. There is even gondola seating above the stands. Motor City loves the vroom.
It didn't take an NBA championship for people to realize MSG is the Mecca. The arena rocks whether it is for a great Knicks team or one that struggles. Don't fall for the whole celebrity thing, either. The fans at MSG are what make this arena historic and legendary. It is the best of times for New York and the Knicks' home.
Home to the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, Mortgage Matchup Center is a premier destination for sports, entertainment and unforgettable events. Since opening its doors in 1992, the arena has hosted some of the world’s most celebrated events. From offering the NBA and WNBA’s most affordable $2 value menu to reaching 200 consecutive sellout games for the Phoenix Suns, the arena consistently provides an unmatched fan experience.
The Paycom Center existed before the Thunder came to OKC. But the Oklahoma City-owned venue was ready for a pro team in any sport, and when the Thunder landed, the plan to build out the arena went into full force. It became a "state-of-the-art" spot that thought of fans first. All sorts of improvements came into play: a kids' zone, office space, a video and integrated system, among others. OKC welcomed the Thunder and has created a great spot for NBA fans and players.
Rocket Arena has seen the Cavs' ups and downs. However, the fan experience in Cleveland is second to none. They've made constant improvements with customers in mind, including opening a two-story team shop for Cavs merch.
The ScotiaBank Arena has seen the Raptors' rise. It offers all sorts of different seats for regular fans and those who can spring for suites and boxes. It has received more than 40 awards in the arena category and is a great place to see a hockey game, basketball contest or concert. The fans make the place raucous.
State Farm Arena is frequently honored in various venue categories. Last year, it ranked No. 3 among domestic venues and No. 5 overall, per Billboard. That's a fan friendly environment, and with fewer than 17,000 seats for Hawks games, it provides great sightlines for fans to enjoy their hometown Atlanta team.
Target Center underwent multiple renovations that made it a state-of-the-art venue. There was one in 2004 that saw every seat replaced in the then 14-year-old building. This is a basketball hotbed, having hosted a Women's Final Four in addition to the WNBA Lynx and Timberwolves. It can also shift to a smaller venue known as the U.S. Bank Theater that can handle events from 2,500 to 7,500—a practical facility.
The new Garden has taken on some of the history of the old Garden as a vaunted and haunted place for opponents. Just the word "Gah-den" in Boston creates all sorts of memories and thoughts of iconic players. The old Garden had to make way for the newer one, but that didn't take away from everyone seeing green.
While the Bulls have seen better days, the United Center still has a storied vibe as a significant part of NBA history. Fans love to support their Chicago hoops, too, so the atmosphere is always great, and additions like the Atrium create new experiences beyond the action on the court.
Barry Werner loves sports of all sorts, rock music, pop culture, and dogs. Barry has been part of the USA TODAY Sports Network for seven years. Before that, he worked at the New York Post, New York Daily News, and AOL FanHouse, where he amassed a ton of sports knowledge.
David Hoffman is a digital content producer on the USA TODAY Shopping team. In his role, he covers everything from sports ticketing and fan merchandise to major shopping events. Before joining USA TODAY Shopping, David worked as a motorsports reporter and social media manager for Speed Sport.
Dylan Reffe is USA TODAY Shopping's commerce editor focusing on sports and entertainment. Before that, he worked for the Detroit Lions for six seasons and coincidentally left for USA TODAY right as the team started to win…
Nick Schwartz is the Director of Content for USA TODAY Network's Wire sites. He lives in Colorado but roots for the Phillies, Eagles, and Duke Blue Devils.
Rick is a former Division 1 athlete who had given up his fair share of home runs at great college ballparks across the U.S. He's currently a Senior Content Strategist and Ad Meter Editor at USA TODAY Sports, having been with the company since 2019.
USA TODAY Sports Editors comprise a national team of seasoned journalists and editors covering professional, collegiate, and international sports.
Sponsorship does not influence editorial content or determine winning brands in USA TODAY Sports Readers' Choice Awards.
