KOCO JASON BURGER HAD THE DETAILS ON THIS. I AM NOT SURPRISED. OKLAHOMA IS CHANGING SO MUCH AND WE’RE SO PROUD OF THE THUNDER. THEY DESERVE A NEW ARENA. WE WERE THE FIRST ONES TO SHOW APRIL THE PICTURES OF THE NEW ARENA FOR THE THUNDER, UNVEILED WEDNESDAY DURING MAYOR DAVID HOLT’S STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS. I WAS AMAZING, BUT THERE’S STILL THE QUESTION OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE CURRENT PAYCOM CENTER. THAT’S A SORE SPOT FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS HERE WHEN THEY ORIGINALLY BUILT THAT, SO IT’S PART OF A STAPLE ITEM HERE. APRIL WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT STAY AS DEMOLITION ON THE FORMER COX CONVENTION CENTER CONTINUES, WHERE THE NEW ARENA WILL BE BUILT. IT’LL BE NICE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP IT AND THEN STILL HAVE A BRAND NEW ARENA, BUT I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THINGS HAVE TO GO IN ORDER FOR THINGS TO CHANGE IN PROGRESS. HERE’S WHERE THINGS STAND WITH THE CURRENT ARENA. THE CITY CURRENTLY OWNS THE PROPERTY, BUT HAS GIVEN THE THUNDER THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY THE LAND IF THEY WANT TO. IN A STATEMENT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE TEAM SAID, QUOTE, CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED ALLOWING THE THUNDER THE OPTION TO PURCHASE THAT LAND AT FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR POTENTIAL FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. NO PLANS HAVE BEEN DETERMINED YET. IN DECEMBER OF 2023, 71% OF VOTERS APPROVED THE FUNDING TO CONSTRUCT A NEW, NEARLY $1 BILLION ARENA, WHICH GAVE US THE ABILITY TO SECURE A LONG TERM COMMITMENT FROM THE THUNDER. IT’S PROJECTED THAT CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW ARENA WILL START IN 2026, WHEN THE LAND IS COMPLETELY CLEARED NEAR SHERIDAN AND ROBINSON DOWNTOWN. OUR CURRENT ARENA IS TOO SMALL BY SQUARE FOOTAGE, LACKS THE AMENITIES OF A MODERN AND MORE EXPENSIVE ARENA, AND IT IS GROWING TOO OLD. THIS NEW ARENA WILL ADDRESS
OKC reveals new Thunder arena plans amid Paycom Center uncertainty
Oklahoma City unveiled renderings of a new arena for the Thunder during the mayor’s State of the City address, while the future of the current Paycom Center remains uncertain.
Updated: 8:27 AM CDT Jul 17, 2025
Oklahoma City has unveiled renderings of a new arena for the Thunder during Mayor David Holt’s State of the City address, with the new facility set to replace the former convention center building downtown.April Steward, a Thunder fan, shared her reaction to the news.”I’m not surprised, Oklahoma is changing so much, and the Thunder deserve a new arena,” said April Steward, an Oklahoma City Thunder fan.Upon seeing the pictures of the new arena, she said, “Oh my, that’s amazing.”However, Steward expressed concern about the Paycom Center’s future. “That’s a sore spot for me because I was here when they originally built that, so it’s part of a staple item here,” she said. She hopes the Paycom Center can remain, acknowledging the need for change. Video Below: Renderings show new downtown OKC arena that will be future home of Thunder”It would be nice to be able to keep it and still have a brand-new arena, but I understand things have to go in order for things to change and progress,” she said.The city currently owns the Paycom Center property but has given the Thunder the option to purchase the land. A spokesperson for the team stated, “City Council has approved allowing the Thunder the option to purchase that land at fair market value for potential future development. No plans have been determined yet.”Mayor David Holt highlighted the community’s support for the new arena. “In December 2023, 71 percent of voters approved a bond measure for a nearly $1 billion arena, which gave us the ability to secure a long-term commitment from the Thunder,” he said. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Holt also noted the current arena’s limitations, stating, “Our current arena is too small by square footage, lacks the amenities of a modern arena, and it has grown too old. This new arena will address all those issues.”Construction on the new arena is projected to begin in 2026, with completion expected by summer 2028, just in time for the NBA season.Top Headlines‘American Idol’ executive Robin Kaye and husband found dead in LA homeThird teenager dies days after crash on Garvin County highway, OHP saysSuspect in custody after firing shots during domestic incident, leading to police presence in SW OKCMayor David Holt to unveil renderings for new downtown OKC arena during State of the City addressVIDEO: Twin sisters give birth to baby boys one day apart in the same Indiana hospital
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma City has unveiled renderings of a new arena for the Thunder during Mayor David Holt’s State of the City address, with the new facility set to replace the former convention center building downtown.
April Steward, a Thunder fan, shared her reaction to the news.
“I’m not surprised, Oklahoma is changing so much, and the Thunder deserve a new arena,” said April Steward, an Oklahoma City Thunder fan.
Upon seeing the pictures of the new arena, she said, “Oh my, that’s amazing.”
However, Steward expressed concern about the Paycom Center’s future.
“That’s a sore spot for me because I was here when they originally built that, so it’s part of a staple item here,” she said.
She hopes the Paycom Center can remain, acknowledging the need for change.
Video Below: Renderings show new downtown OKC arena that will be future home of Thunder
“It would be nice to be able to keep it and still have a brand-new arena, but I understand things have to go in order for things to change and progress,” she said.
The city currently owns the Paycom Center property but has given the Thunder the option to purchase the land.
A spokesperson for the team stated, “City Council has approved allowing the Thunder the option to purchase that land at fair market value for potential future development. No plans have been determined yet.”
Mayor David Holt highlighted the community’s support for the new arena.
“In December 2023, 71 percent of voters approved a bond measure for a nearly $1 billion arena, which gave us the ability to secure a long-term commitment from the Thunder,” he said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Holt also noted the current arena’s limitations, stating, “Our current arena is too small by square footage, lacks the amenities of a modern arena, and it has grown too old. This new arena will address all those issues.”
Construction on the new arena is projected to begin in 2026, with completion expected by summer 2028, just in time for the NBA season.
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