MEGAN, YOU GOT REACTION ON THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY. EVAN. THAT’S RIGHT. AND IT WAS A LOT OF MIXED REACTION TODAY FROM CONFUSION TO CURIOSITY AND EVEN FULL ON GLADIATOR COMPARISONS. BUT GUYS, THE FOLKS WE SPOKE WITH HAD A LOT TO SAY ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL COLOSSEUM. CONTINENTAL COLOSSEUM, THAT’S THE NEW NAME FOR OKC DOWNTOWN ARENA. AND FOR SOME IT TOOK A SECOND TO SINK IN. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CONTINENTAL COLOSSEUM? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT CONTINENTAL CONTINENTAL? WHAT IS IT AGAIN? OTHERS SAY ONCE YOU HEAR IT, IT SOUNDS SOLID. COLE SEEMS A VERY STRONG NAME. I THINK THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND CONTINENTAL RESOURCES ANNOUNCED THE NEW NAME TUESDAY, KICKING OFF A 15 YEAR NAMING RIGHTS DEAL. I MEAN, IT SPEAKS FOR A BIG TEAM. I MEAN, IT HAS TO COME OFF BIG. CONTINENTAL RESOURCES IS HEADQUARTERED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CONSTRUCTION SITE. THEY’RE THE LARGEST PRIVATELY HELD OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCER IN THE WORLD. SOME SAY THE NEW NAME IS CATCHY. IT REMINDS ME OF HOW THE SPARTANS BACK THEN THEY WAS FIGHTING LIKE COLISEUM. COLISEUM COMES OFF PRETTY BIG. YEAH, I’M PRETTY SURE THAT’S FROM ROME. I MEAN, IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE REALLY INVITING. IT’S KIND OF LIKE IT’S ALL IMMERSIVE AND INCLUSIVE. WHILE SOME SAY SINCE WE’RE IN OKLAHOMA, JUST NAME IT AS THUNDER OR SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, OVERALL, JUST WANT TO SEE THE THUNDER. KEEP WINNING. CONTINENTAL COLISEUM, IT’S LIKE FIVE BYARS GOING AT EACH OTHER TO THE DEATH, BUT IT’S LIKE THIS TIME IT’S FOR THE FOR THE FOR THE WINNING TEAM. AND OF COURSE, THE THUNDER WILL STILL BE PLAYING IN THE PAYCOM UNTIL THIS NEW ARENA OPENS. THAT IS SLATED FOR THE SUMMER O
‘Really strong name’: Oklahomans react to name of new Thunder arena, Continental Coliseum
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s future home will be called the Continental Coliseum, sparking mixed reactions from locals and visitors.
Updated: 7:00 PM CDT Mar 24, 2026
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s new downtown arena will be named the Continental Coliseum, the team announced Tuesday.| MORE | Future home of Oklahoma City Thunder to be named Continental ColiseumOklahomans had mixed reactions after the name of the arena was announced. From confusion to curiosity, there were even a few “Gladiator” comparisons. “What do I think about continental Coliseum?” KOCO’s Meghan Mosley asked. “Continental, what is it again?” asked JA, a visitor from Washington State.>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning NewsletterOthers said it sounds like a solid name. “Coliseum is a really strong name I think,” Emily, and Oklahoma City resident, said. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Continental Resources announced the new name, kicking off a 15-year naming rights deal. “I mean, it speaks for a big team, so it has to come off big,” Zach, who lives in Oklahoma City, said. >> Video Below: WATCH: Thunder hype video unveils name of new downtown Oklahoma City arenaContinental Resources, the largest privately held oil and natural gas producer in the world, is headquartered next to the construction site.Some say the new name is catchy. “Reminds me of how the Spartans back then was fighting in coliseums and stuff,” JA said. “I think coliseum comes off pretty big. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s from Rome,” Zach said. >> Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.But not everyone was enthusiastic about the name. “Since we’re in Oklahoma, just name it ‘Thunder something,’ you know,” DY, visiting from Washington State, suggested.Overall, fans just want to see the Oklahoma City Thunder keep winning. “Continental Coliseum, like five warriors going to each other for the death, but this time it’s for the winning team,” JA said. The Thunder will continue to play in the Paycom Center until the new arena opens, which is slated for summer 2028.Top HeadlinesNew opioid found in Oklahoma linked to death of 18-year-old OKC Thunder’s new arena to be named Continental Coliseum OHP identifies person killed in crash Monday on Kickapoo Turnpike Alan Armstrong appointed to fill Oklahoma’s open Senate seat Thunder hype video unveils name of new downtown OKC arena
OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s new downtown arena will be named the Continental Coliseum, the team announced Tuesday.
| MORE | Future home of Oklahoma City Thunder to be named Continental Coliseum
Oklahomans had mixed reactions after the name of the arena was announced. From confusion to curiosity, there were even a few “Gladiator” comparisons.
“What do I think about continental Coliseum?” KOCO’s Meghan Mosley asked.
“Continental, what is it again?” asked JA, a visitor from Washington State.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
Others said it sounds like a solid name.
“Coliseum is a really strong name I think,” Emily, and Oklahoma City resident, said.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Continental Resources announced the new name, kicking off a 15-year naming rights deal.
“I mean, it speaks for a big team, so it has to come off big,” Zach, who lives in Oklahoma City, said.
>> Video Below: WATCH: Thunder hype video unveils name of new downtown Oklahoma City arena
Continental Resources, the largest privately held oil and natural gas producer in the world, is headquartered next to the construction site.
Some say the new name is catchy.
“Reminds me of how the Spartans back then was fighting in coliseums and stuff,” JA said.
“I think coliseum comes off pretty big. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s from Rome,” Zach said.
>> Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
But not everyone was enthusiastic about the name.
“Since we’re in Oklahoma, just name it ‘Thunder something,’ you know,” DY, visiting from Washington State, suggested.
Overall, fans just want to see the Oklahoma City Thunder keep winning.
“Continental Coliseum, like five warriors going to each other for the death, but this time it’s for the winning team,” JA said.
The Thunder will continue to play in the Paycom Center until the new arena opens, which is slated for summer 2028.
Top Headlines