Media poll: Ranking NBA arenas from best to worst (2024)

Share of the vote: 74.86 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1995

Capacity: 19,156

Who plays there: Boston Celtics and Bruins (NHL)

TD Garden, which underwent a $70 million renovation in 2014, was narrowly voted the NBA’s top arena and received six first-place votes among media members in our HoopsHype media poll.

Share of the vote: 71.43 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 18,937

Who plays there: Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, Kings (NHL), Sparks (WNBA)

Crypto.com Arena also received six first-place votes among media members in our HoopsHype media poll.

Formerly known as Staples Center, the arena will be an official venue during the 2028 Summer Olympics and has hosted the NBA All-Star Games in 2004, 2011 and 2018.

Share of the vote: 70.29 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1968

Capacity: 19,812

Who plays there: New York Knicks, Rangers (NHL), St. John’s (NCAA)

Madison Square Garden, known as “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” finished third in the poll despite receiving 12 first-place votes – the most of any building.

MSG is the NBA’s oldest arena, and recently underwent a $1 billion renovation in 2013.

“It’s the best place to play in the world,” Spurs five-time championship coach Gregg Popovich said before facing the New York Knicks on Nov. 8. “I actually mentioned that when we came to shootaround. I said you guys are now in the best arena to play basketball you’ll ever be in. Some of those guys already agreed. Some said such and such. It’s a special place.”

What makes it the best in Popovich’s eyes? “Because it is,” he replied. “Some things, words don’t describe it. You just walk in there, the lights go on, and it’s a different ball game. You get a little bit of electricity going through your back.”

Share of the vote: 54.10 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2019

Capacity: 18,064

Who plays there: Golden State Warriors

Chase Center, the league’s most expensive arena to build at $1.4 billion, received three first-place votes from media members in our poll.

The arena will host the NBA All-Star Game and the WNBA’s Golden State expansion team in 2025.

Share of the vote: 46.48 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1994

Capacity: 20,917

Who plays there: Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks (NHL)

The United Center, the NBA’s largest arena, received two first-place votes in our poll. Among its features is an iconic statue of Michael Jordan outside the building.

Share of the vote: 42.10 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2016

Capacity: 17,608

Who plays there: Sacramento Kings

The Golden 1 Center is home of Sacramento’s trending “Light the beam” celebration after every Kings home win.

The arena received three first-place votes in our poll and was named the Sports Facility of the Year by Sports Business Journal in 2017.

Share of the vote: 40.38 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2012

Capacity: 17,732

Who plays there: Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty (WNBA)

Barclays Center received one first-place vote in our media poll.

The arena’s opening in 2012 marked the return of a professional sports team to Brooklyn, which had not had one since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1957. One of the most recognizable features of the arena is the 40/40 Club.

Share of the vote: 37.71 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 19,800

Who plays there: Toronto Raptors, Maple Leafs (NHL)

Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as Air Canada Centre, was voted as high as second overall by two NBA writers.

The arena’s existence over the first 10 years of operation resulted in an estimated economic benefit of $2.4 billion.

Share of the vote: 35.24 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2018

Capacity: 17,341

Who plays there: Milwaukee Bucks and Marquette Golden Eagles (NCAA)

Fiserv Forum’s $1.2 billion arena received one first-place vote in our media poll.

Share of the vote: 30.86 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 17,923

Who plays there: Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever (WNBA)

Gainbridge Fieldhouse received four second-place votes in our media poll and will host the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

“Indiana’s daytime natural lighting makes it one of my favorite arenas in the league,” one NBA beat writer told HoopsHype. Another writer noted the arena’s delicious ice cream, milkshakes and popcorn.

Share of the vote: 28.38 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2001

Capacity: 20,000

Who plays there: Dallas Mavericks and Stars (NHL)

American Airlines Center received three third-place votes in our media poll.

The Mavericks’ lease on American Airlines Center runs through 2031, and once it runs out, owner Mark Cuban has considered a new arena to replace it.

Share of the vote: 27.81 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 19,600

Who plays there: Miami Heat

Kaseya Center received two fourth-place votes in our media poll.

After changing names multiple times over the past few years, the arena reached a 17-year naming rights deal with Kaseya.

Share of the vote: 25.33 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2017

Capacity: 20,332

Who plays there: Detroit Pistons and Red Wings (NHL)

Little Caesars Arena is one of only four arenas with a capacity of 20,000 fans or more and received one second-place vote in our media poll.

“Little Caesars Arena has the best media dining in the league and not a bad seat either,” one veteran NBA beat writer told HoopsHype.

Share of the vote: 24.76 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1996

Capacity: 20,478

Who plays there: Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers (NHL), Wings (NLL)

The Wells Fargo Center received one third-place vote in our media poll and holds the second-highest fan capacity for NBA games.

Share of the vote: 22.48 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2004

Capacity: 18,119

Who plays there: Memphis Grizzlies and University of Memphis Tigers (NCAA)

One media member voted for FedExForum as his favorite arena in the league.

“Memphis has the best media seat in the league,” that NBA beat writer told HoopsHype. “They still have you at the scorer’s table. I look forward to going to that arena every year.”

FedExForum was the first arena to utilize new see-through shot clock units so fans behind the basket could see the game without interference.

Share of the vote: 21.14 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1995

Capacity: 19,393

Who plays there: Portland Trail Blazers and Winterhawks (CHL)

The Moda Center received two fifth-place votes in our media poll and cracked the NBA’s Top 10 fan capacity.

Share of the vote: 18.86 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1990

Capacity: 18,798

Who plays there: Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx (WNBA)

The Target Center is the NBA’s second-oldest arena, behind Madison Square Garden, and received one second-place vote in our media poll.

Share of the vote: 18.48 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 19,520

Who plays there: Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Mammoth (NLL)

Ball Arena received two fifth-place votes in our media poll.

Share of the vote: 18.10 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2002

Capacity: 18,203

Who plays there: Oklahoma City Thunder

Paycom Center received one fourth-place vote in our media poll.

Share of the vote: 16.19 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 16,600

Who plays there: Atlanta Hawks

State Farm Arena received one fourth-place vote in our media poll and has the NBA’s lowest fan capacity at 16,600.

Share of the vote: 15.24 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1994

Capacity: 19,432

Who plays there: Cleveland Cavaliers and Monsters (AHL)

The arena’s “Humongotron” scoreboard is the fourth-largest scoreboard of NBA arenas.

“Great food, environment and game experience,” one NBA beat writer who voted the arena fourth overall told HoopsHype. “The recent changes help.”

Share of the vote: 15.05 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2010

Capacity: 18,846

Who plays there: Orlando Magic, Solar Bears (ECHL), Predators (NAL)

Amway Center was voted as high as fifth overall by one media member in our poll.

Share of the vote: 14.67 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1991

Capacity: 18,306

Who plays there: Utah Jazz

Delta Center, which has hosted the 1993 and 2023 NBA All-Star Weekends, received four seventh-place votes from media members.

Share of the vote: 7.43 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1992

Capacity: 18,422

Who plays there: Phoenix Suns and Mercury (WNBA)

Footprint Center, which hosted the 1995 and 2009 NBA All-Star Games, was voted as high as ninth overall by one media member in our poll.

Share of the vote: 6.10 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2002

Capacity: 18,418

Who plays there: San Antonio Spurs

The Frost Bank Center was voted as high as seventh overall by one writer in our poll.

Share of the vote: 5.90 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1999

Capacity: 16,867

Who plays there: New Orleans Pelicans and Louisiana VooDoo (AFL)

The Smoothie King Center was voted as high as sixth overall by one NBA writer in our poll.

The arena hosted the NBA All-Star Games in 2014 and 2017 and has the second-lowest NBA fan capacity.

Share of the vote: 5.14 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2005

Capacity: 19,077

Who plays there: Charlotte Hornets

Spectrum Center, which hosted the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, was voted as high as sixth overall by two NBA writers in our poll.

Share of the vote: 2.86 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 1997

Capacity: 20,356

Who plays there: Washington Wizards, Capitals (NHL), Georgetown Hoyas (NCAA)

Capital One Arena, which hosted the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, has the third-highest fan capacity in the league at 20,356.

One media member voted the arena as high as 11th in our poll.

Share of the vote: 2.67 percent of maximum amount possible

Opening: 2003

Capacity: 18,055

Who plays there: Houston Rockets

Only five media members voted for Houston’s Toyota Center, which was the lowest total of the poll.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.