THERE AND THEY TOLD HER THE CHANGES WILL TRANSFORM DOWNTOWN AND IT ALL STARTS WHENEVER THIS BUILDING IS GONE AND THAT NEW ARENA IS BUILT. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACROSS THE STREET AT MYRIAD GARDENS, THEY’LL REAP THE BENEFITS OF THAT BILLION DOLLAR ARENA, THE HOTELS, THE RESTAURANTS, AND REALLY HOW THE BUSINESS IMPACTS DOWNTOWN OKC. PREPARING FOR MAJOR CHANGE. WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR GUESTS COMING INTO IT TO BE ABLE TO REALLY SEE DOWNTOWN IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. IF YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH DOWNTOWN, YOU’RE FAMILIAR WITH TRANSFORMATION FROM MAPS, PROJECTS TO NEW BUSINESSES COMING IN. WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR DOWNTOWN. AND THIS CONTINUED REVITALIZATION OF THE SPACE. FROM SCISSORTAIL PARK TO THE CONVENTION CENTER, AND THEN RIGHT HERE AT MYRIAD GARDENS, AND NOW A NEW ARENA, NEIGHBORS OF THE ARENA AT MYRIAD GARDENS SAY THEY SAW IT FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD SEEING THE GARDENS IN THE RENDERINGS AND A GLIMPSE OF THEIR FUTURE. THEY SAY THIS SEASON THEY SAW A MAJOR BOOST IN ACTIVITY DOWNTOWN WITH THE THUNDER’S SUCCESS THIS POSTSEASON, WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT GAMES AND ACTIVITIES, WE SAW PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ENJOYING BOTH THE PARKS AND THE GARDENS, AND THEY WERE HERE BECAUSE OF THE GAMES HAPPENING, AND NOW THEY CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT’S TO COME. AND WHILE THERE WILL LIKELY BE HEADACHES WITH CONSTRUCTION THE NEXT FEW YEARS FROM THOSE CLOSURES TO DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WILL IMPACT OUR BUSINESS, THEY SAY YOU CAN ACCESS THE MYRIAD GARDENS FROM EVERY CORNER, AND THEY ANTICIPATE MORE PEOPLE COMING DOWNTOWN, EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CITY. WE HAVE THOSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE CURIOUS. SO I THINK WE’RE GOING TO SEE AN INCREASE AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES OF PEOPLE PEAKING ACROSS THE FENCE TO SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING AND THE DEMOLITION OF THIS SITE IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE BY THE END OF SUMMER. CONSTRUCTION IS SUPPOSED TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN AND BE COMPLETED
OKC unveils new arena design, promising a future beyond basketball
Oklahoma City revealed renderings of a new downtown arena, aiming to attract top artists and events while maintaining a timeless design.
Updated: 6:08 PM CDT Jul 17, 2025
Oklahoma City is buzzing with excitement following the unveiling of renderings for a new downtown arena, set to replace the old convention center and offer much more than basketball.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel”Through the design process, it was really important to make this arena one of a kind. Be timeless, be classy, be authentically Oklahoma, and be something that stands the test of time for the next generation,” said Chris Semrau, general manager of Paycom CenterThe new arena is expected to be a major draw for national competitions and events. “Paycom Center just came off its biggest year ever of shows, but it’s getting more challenging every year to secure those big-name artists,” Semrau said.Semrau has been involved in design discussions for months, focusing on strategic improvements. “The new venue will have a more strategic seating configuration for tours, better production, easier load-in and load-out for the shows, it’ll really be a step up from the experience today,” he said.He explained that artists prioritize maximizing business, high-end production capabilities, and the back-of-house experience when selecting venues. The new arena’s design aims to meet these criteria to ensure year-round entertainment that residents desire.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Even though the basketball capacity will be lower in the new arena than the current one, Semrau said the concert capacity will be similar.Top HeadlinesTIMELINE: Isolated severe storms possible in parts of Oklahoma Thursday afternoon, eveningSeveral homes evacuated, part of road closed due to gas leak in NormanDisneyland is celebrating its 70th anniversary: Here’s a look at the park then and nowSearch for suspect continues after hours-long standoff overnight in northwest OKCSinger Connie Francis, whose hits included ‘Who’s Sorry Now?’ and ‘Pretty Little Baby,’ dies at 87
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma City is buzzing with excitement following the unveiling of renderings for a new downtown arena, set to replace the old convention center and offer much more than basketball.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
“Through the design process, it was really important to make this arena one of a kind. Be timeless, be classy, be authentically Oklahoma, and be something that stands the test of time for the next generation,” said Chris Semrau, general manager of Paycom Center
The new arena is expected to be a major draw for national competitions and events.
“Paycom Center just came off its biggest year ever of shows, but it’s getting more challenging every year to secure those big-name artists,” Semrau said.
Semrau has been involved in design discussions for months, focusing on strategic improvements.
“The new venue will have a more strategic seating configuration for tours, better production, easier load-in and load-out for the shows, it’ll really be a step up from the experience today,” he said.
He explained that artists prioritize maximizing business, high-end production capabilities, and the back-of-house experience when selecting venues. The new arena’s design aims to meet these criteria to ensure year-round entertainment that residents desire.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Even though the basketball capacity will be lower in the new arena than the current one, Semrau said the concert capacity will be similar.
Top Headlines