Oklahoma City breaks ground on Thunder’s new arena
Oklahoma City has officially begun construction on the Continental Coliseum, securing the Thunder’s presence in the city for the next 25 years.
6TH. SEND IT BACK TO YOU WITH THE DIRT WE TURN TODAY, WE ARE BEGINNING OUR CITY’S GREATEST COLLECTIVE EFFORT IN ITS 137 YEAR HISTORY. BEFORE THE GAMES, BEFORE THE LIGHTS. THERE’S MOMENTS LIKE THIS, THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER TURNING DIRT ON THEIR NEW FUTURE TODAY. AND IT STARTS FROM THE CAUGHT UP SPORTS ANCHOR HANNAH HOOVER. JOINING US LIVE FROM DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY. THUNDER LEADERS SAY THIS EXCITEMENT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING. IT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING. AND THURSDAY, OKC BROKE GROUND ON WHAT WILL BE THE CONTINENTAL COLISEUM RIGHT BEHIND ME. AND IT WAS A REALLY COOL DAY TO SEE ALL THE LEADERS OUT FRONT STAGE MAKING THEIR COMMENTS. WE GOT TO HEAR FROM SAM PRESTI. WE GOT TO HEAR FROM KLAY BENNETT, SO MANY OTHERS. BUT REALLY THE COOLEST PART OF THIS IS THAT BY BREAKING GROUND, BY THIS NEW PROJECT, THEY’RE GOING TO EXTEND THE COMMITMENT FOR OKLAHOMA CITY TO HOST AND HOLD THE THUNDER FOR 25 MORE YEARS. THAT’S GROUNDBREAKING. LITERALLY. HERE’S A FEW LEADERS FROM TODAY’S CEREMONY. OUR FANS ARE WHAT HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO HAVE THIS EVEN HAPPENING BEHIND US. THEY’RE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO SAY THAT OKLAHOMA CITY AND OKLAHOMA IS HOME FOR AN NBA BASKETBALL TEAM. DOESN’T HAPPEN WITHOUT THAT KIND OF SUPPORT. THEIR BELIEF THEY HAVE INVESTED IN US AND IT ALLOWS US TO INVEST IN THIS AND THEM. SO I THINK IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE IT’S TRULY A TEAM EFFORT. SAM, I JUST CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH, PAL. JUST A REMARKABLE JOB, A REMARKABLE LEADER HAS DEVELOPED SUCH AN AMAZING CULTURE IN OUR BASKETBALL OPERATIONS. I JUST WANT US ALL TO ENJOY THIS, CELEBRATE THIS AS THIS STARTS GETTING VERTICAL, IT’S GOING TO BE EXCITEMENT EVERY DAY. AND LET’S SHARE IN IT AND BE PROUD OF IT AND LIVE UP TO IT. THUNDER UP. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO THE NEW ARENA IS SLATED TO BE COMPLETE BY LATE SUMMER 2028, AND IT WILL SLOWLY BE BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP. BUT I TALKED TO THE MAYOR, DAVID HOLT, AND HE TOLD ME THAT LOUD CITY IS GOING TO BE EVEN LOUDER, WHICH I FOUND REALLY INTERESTING. I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW THAT WAS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THEY’RE DESIGNING THE BULB, IT’S GOING TO BE MUCH STEEPER, AND SO FANS WILL FEEL LIKE THEY’RE ON TOP OF THE COURT, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN. GUYS, I CAN’T WAIT TO GO WATCH A GAME HERE AT CONTINENTAL COLISEUM. IT’S GOING TO BE GREAT. MY ONLY QUESTION RIGHT NOW IS HOW MANY MORE CHAMPIONSHIPS CAN WE WIN IN THE PAYCOM CENTER BEFORE THAT THING IS NO LONGER PLAYED? WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY GOT? THEY’RE GOING TO HAVE AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE CHANCES. I MEAN, THEY SAID LATE 20, 28. SO YOU HAVE THE 26TH THIS SEASON, 27 AND 28.
Oklahoma City breaks ground on Thunder’s new arena
Oklahoma City has officially begun construction on the Continental Coliseum, securing the Thunder’s presence in the city for the next 25 years.
Updated: 5:15 PM CDT Mar 26, 2026
Oklahoma City has officially broken ground on the Continental Coliseum, the future home of the Thunder, securing a 25-year commitment for the team to remain in the city.>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning NewsletterWATCH FULL: Thunder GM Sam Presti talks at groundbreaking of Continental Coliseum”Our fans are what have established that it’s possible to have this even happening behind us? They’re the people that have made it possible for people to say that the city of Oklahoma is home for an NBA basketball team,” said Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti. “It doesn’t happen without that kind of support. Their belief they have invested in us, and it allows us to invest in this and them. So, I think it’s really important to recognize it’s truly a team effort. Thunder up. Thank you very much.” Clay Bennett, who was a key player in bringing an NBA team to Oklahoma City, expressed his gratitude.WATCH FULL: Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett talks at Continental Coliseum groundbreaking ceremony”Sam, I just can’t thank you enough now. Remarkable job. Remarkable leader to develop such an amazing culture in our basketball operations. I just want us to enjoy the celebration. This is. This is getting vertical. It’s going to be a time every day. And let’s share in it and be proud of it and live up to it,” Bennett said.The new arena is slated to be completed by late summer 2028. Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Mayor David Holt mentioned that the placement of the seating on top of the court is sure to make Loud City louder, which he noted he didn’t even know was possible. The city hopes for many more years of history to be made right here in Oklahoma City.Top HeadlinesPerson in critical condition after shooting in northeast Oklahoma City neighborhoodNew census data shows how populations are shifting by metro area, countyAt least 4 dogs rescued after flames engulfed northwest Oklahoma City home‘Do you think because of me?’ Savannah Guthrie gives first interview since mother’s disappearance‘Cicada’ COVID-19 variant detected in 23 countries as experts monitor spread
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Oklahoma City has officially broken ground on the Continental Coliseum, the future home of the Thunder, securing a 25-year commitment for the team to remain in the city.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel | Sign up for KOCO 5’s Morning Newsletter
WATCH FULL: Thunder GM Sam Presti talks at groundbreaking of Continental Coliseum
“Our fans are what have established that it’s possible to have this even happening behind us? They’re the people that have made it possible for people to say that the city of Oklahoma is home for an NBA basketball team,” said Oklahoma City Thunder General Manager Sam Presti. “It doesn’t happen without that kind of support. Their belief they have invested in us, and it allows us to invest in this and them. So, I think it’s really important to recognize it’s truly a team effort. Thunder up. Thank you very much.”
Clay Bennett, who was a key player in bringing an NBA team to Oklahoma City, expressed his gratitude.
WATCH FULL: Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett talks at Continental Coliseum groundbreaking ceremony
“Sam, I just can’t thank you enough now. Remarkable job. Remarkable leader to develop such an amazing culture in our basketball operations. I just want us to enjoy the celebration. This is. This is getting vertical. It’s going to be a time every day. And let’s share in it and be proud of it and live up to it,” Bennett said.
The new arena is slated to be completed by late summer 2028.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Mayor David Holt mentioned that the placement of the seating on top of the court is sure to make Loud City louder, which he noted he didn’t even know was possible.
The city hopes for many more years of history to be made right here in Oklahoma City.
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