It’s awesome to watch your favorite NBA teams battle it out against opponents in their home arenas. It’s hard not to notice the love, passion and thrill inside which is an incomparable feeling even if you only witnessed it once.
It’s hard to compare each experience, but each arena is different from the others. Today, we will be ranking all 30 NBA team’s arenas from worst to first.
30. Madison Square Garden (New York Knicks)
As James Dolan continues to be the worst owner in the NBA today, we’ll give the title for the worst NBA arena to the Knicks. The face recognition technology they use to ban certain people may be a bit too much.
29. Smoothie King Center (New Orleans Pelicans)
While the Pelicans are striving on the court, the same can’t be said about their arena. Built in 1999, their home arena feels old and outdated. It also hurts that their owner is blatantly treating them as little brothers compared to the much more profitable New Orleans Saints.
28. Target Center (Minnesota Timberwolves)
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The second oldest arena in the league behind MSG, the renovations they did in 2017 were somehow unfelt by fans as the arena still feels outdated by today’s standards. Plus, the team hasn’t made any significant strides since KG left in 2007.
27. Capital One Arena (Washington Wizards)
Located at the heart of Washington, D.C., this arena has not changed a lot since the team was called Bullets. Fans felt like diversity is lacking in surrounding areas due to businesses being shut down in the last couple of decades.
26. Barclays Center (Brooklyn Nets)
Barclays’ low ranking isn’t about its modernity. The design of the arena has drawn flak due to its irrelevance to New York infrastructure. One look at it and you may have thought that this arena hosts a football team from Europe.
25. Rocket Morgage Fieldhouse (Cleveland Cavaliers)
While the Cavs’ arena has seen some success in recent years, most of its magic faded ever since LeBron left the team to seek greener pastures a long time ago. The lighting is somewhat darker than in most arenas.
24. Amway Center (Orlando Magic)
Fans of this team have suffered from multiple losing seasons since Amway opened its doors in 2010. Now the team has a good young core, maybe they can entice back their supporters to show up to the games.
23. State Farm Arena (Atlanta Hawks)
The Hawks generally suffer due to their lack of success on the court compared to other popular pro sports teams in the city. Sure, Trae Young has been nice, but they need more to create interest in this arena.
22. Delta Center (Utah Jazz)
Built in 1991, it’s baffling that the team hasn’t built a new arena for the Jazz. There’s nothing much to preserve in terms of success as the team hasn’t won a single championship throughout their existence in the league.
21. Toyota Center (Houston Rockets)
While this arena had some memorable moments such as Yao Ming’s dominance, T-Mac’s 13 points in 33 seconds, and James Harden’s MVP season, it generally feels that something is still missing for the team. Maybe renaming it can finally get the team over the hump?
20. Paycom Arena (Oklahoma City Thunder)
This arena felt like it peaked when they still had Durant and Westbrook on the team. While the Thunder now have a nice young core, the excitement never really returned inside the arena.
19. Spectrum Center (Charlotte Hornets)
While Spectrum Center deserves to be much lower in this ranking due to the team’s awful performance on the court, they get a pass because they’ve been great hosts for NCAA tournaments in recent years.
18. Intuit Dome (Los Angeles Clippers)
The Clippers will finally have their own arena in 2024 and will no longer share with their much popular sibling, the Lakers. We’re just trusting Steve Balmer’s crazy optimism that he’ll make this new arena over the top and futuristic.
17. Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers)
There’s nothing much to like for this arena and for the team in general. The Pacers haven’t made some significant strides in recent years and their attendance is one of the worst in the league.
16. Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Pistons)
Being one of the newer arenas in the league, the attendance has suffered tremendously due to the team’s incompetence in building a contender in recent years. People of Detroit love the Pistons and the team should also return the favor by assembling a competitive team.
15. Moda Center (Portland Trail Blazers)
Portland loves the Blazers whether they are good or bad but with Damian Lillard now gone, it’s understandable that the passion for the team will come down within the next few years.
14. Frost Bank Center (San Antonio Spurs)
Ever since the big three of Duncan-Parker-Ginobili retired, it’s understandable that the attendance has gone down in recent years. With the arrival of Victor Wembanyama, tickets are now selling like crazy and Spurs fans are as loud as ever.
13. Scotiabank Arena (Toronto Raptors)
Scotiabank Arena’s attendance has been one of the best in the league even though the team has suffered numerous of heartbreaks over the years. It also helps that this is the only NBA team located in Canada and they have all the country cheering for them.
12. American Airlines Center (Dallas Mavericks)
Owner Mark Cuban built this arena at the heart of downtown Dallas. The prime location really helped with the attendance as everybody in the city is aware whenever the Mavs are in town. In addition, buying a ticket means you could see Luka and Kyrie play.
11. FedEx Forum (Memphis Grizzlies)
Memphis really loves their Grizzlies. From the grit-n-grind era up to Ja Morant’s arrival, fans are lining up to see their beloved stars. The arena has an electric atmosphere inside that can’t be explained.
10. Footprint Center (Phoenix Suns)
This arena is home to one of the most passionate fanbases in the league. It doesn’t matter if the team is struggling or not, their fans will defend them with their life. As the Suns are considered one of the favorites to win the title next season, expect this place to be loud.
9. Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia 76ers)
The basketball tradition in Philadelphia has been one of the driving forces for their outstanding attendance throughout the years. The experience whenever you watch the team play is surreal and you can definitely feel the vibe inside Wells Fargo.
8. Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings)
Golden 1 Center was one of the loudest and most innovative arenas last season. It helps that the team ended their 16-year playoff drought. Plus, the team’s gimmick to “Light the Beam” has been well received by fans of the team.
7. Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee Bucks)
The arena’s vibrant energy is solely due to the team’s success in recent years. Giannis Antetokounmpo elevated this Bucks team since his arrival in 2013. It’s one of the most modern arenas in the league as it was opened to the public in 2018.
6. Ball Arena (Denver Nuggets)
Even though the arena changed names in 2020, Ball Arena is still fondly called Pepsi Center by folks in Denver. The location of this arena is close to the city’s entertainment district and there are lots of activities to do for fans after watching the unassuming Nikola Jokic torch opponents after every game.
5. Kaseya Center (Miami Heat)
Everybody who’s attended a Miami Heat game will tell you that the atmosphere and vibe inside the arena is superb. Miami’s diversity has been lauded and watching the team play makes you feel that you are one with the crowd.
4. TD Garden – (Boston Celtics)
Whenever you step foot on TD Garden, the team’s rich history instantly hits you right off the bat. From all the numbers hanging up the rafters and the passionate fan base, you could immediately feel the pride people have for the Celtics.
3. United Center (Chicago Bulls)
You know it’s a great arena when one of the main attractions is located outside – Michael Jordan’s iconic statue. While the team has struggled in recent years, the United Center still remains one of the most iconic arenas in the NBA solely due to MJ being the GOAT in basketball.
2. Chase Center (Golden State Warriors)
Who doesn’t love the Warriors? Steph Curry is the best shooter in the world and the team has won four championships in the last eight years. The vibe inside the arena is electric, loud and upbeat. If you want to have a great time, then Chase Center won’t disappoint you.
1. Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles Lakers)
Formerly called Staples Center, this arena is the best in the NBA due to the fact that not only you are cheering for the Lakers, but you can also see several Hollywood royalties on the sidelines watching the game. It also holds as Kobe Bryant’s de facto memorial since his untimely death in 2020.
