With the ongoing NBA playoffs, homecourt advantage plays an important role in the hype and cheer for your favorite team as fans from around the world gather in one place.
NBA arenas are where the energy and passion of hometown basketball fans are gathered in the ultimate sports experience.
With the start of the NBA playoffs, we take a closer look at one of the best NBA arenas in the league.
These areas are not only a venue to gather for NBA players to play while fans cheer for them; other arenas also reflect the city, its culture, and the fans that make this venue for basketball alive.
So, whether you are a diehard fan or a casual spectator, read on as I explore all of the insanely amazing arenas in the NBA and find out which ones are the best!
The 29 Best NBA Arenas In Basketball
There are 29 NBA arenas in the league, and if you’re wondering why it only has 29 arenas despite having 30 NBA teams, it is that both Los Angeles teams share the same arena.
They are the only franchises that play in a single arena; the rest of the NBA teams have their own. So, here are your 29 best NBA arenas ranked from the most popular to the least one.
1. Staples Center / Crypto.com Arena [Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers]
If we are talking about one of the most iconic and popular arenas in the NBA, there is nothing we can think of more than the Staples Center.
Located in downtown Los Angeles, this has been the arena for the league’s legendary superstars. However, its name was recently changed to Crypto.com arena.
From the showtime Lakers led by Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar to the 3-peat led by the dynamic duo of Shaq and Kobe, as well as the champion run by Anthony Davis and LeBron, a Lakers game is always fun to watch.
Unlike any other arena, the Staples Center is the only NBA arena used by the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers.
This NBA arena is popular because it transforms into something new after either team plays. In addition, they have wonderful amenities and family-friendly activities you can do inside the building.
Staples Center consistently ranks on top because they always have a superstar player on their roster. On occasions when the team struggled, they still supported each other through tough times.
Rightfully so, the Los Angeles Lakers eventually captured the 2020 NBA Championship. It was the first for many and the fourth one of LeBron James.
On the other hand, the Los Angeles Clippers always had that potential in them, as they never ran out of superstars.
However, injuries to key superstars like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have derailed their championship hopes for many years.
2. TD Garden [Boston Celtics]
TD Garden has been home to the Boston Celtics fans since 1995. Although not much was written in the history as it was not the place where Larry Bird and Bill Russel won their respective championships.
Still, the TD Garden has got to be one of the most popular ones, not because of its history but for its fans.
Even in this new Boston Garden arena, fanfare within the area is still amazing. The magnitude during playoff games is borderline unbearable.
Still, the Boston Garden is among the best NBA arenas if you’re after its amenities and the crowd. During the playoffs, you will realize why it is one of the most iconic arenas the sport has ever seen.
3. Madison Square Garden [New York Knicks]
Home of the New York Knicks, the Madison Square Garden is called “The Mecca of Basketball” for a reason. The Madison Square Garden is also home to different New York sports teams.
One thing to know about this NBA arena is it’s not only popular in the country but in almost all sports in the world.
You’ll soon find out why this arena is popular. From the number of artists and actors in the venue and even to the most diehard Knicks fan, Spike Lee.
A trip here would mean seeing one of your favorite Hollywood actors in the arena is likely. Madison Square Garden has one of the craziest atmospheres in the NBA.
4. United Center [Chicago Bulls]
The United Center might be known as the home of the Chicago Bulls, but it doesn’t get any better than that when your name is associated with the greatest basketball player to ever live, Michael Jordan.
MJ, Scottie Pippen, and the rest of the Chicago Bulls squad enjoyed their second three-peat here. In addition, it is one of the largest arenas, with a seating capacity of 23,000.
Well, if you have the greatest player of all time, then you’d be hard-pressed not to accommodate thousands of fans in attendance.
The United Center has enjoyed its fair share of NBA games, especially in the NBA finals, wherein the MJ-led Bulls got their second 3-peat. It is also the largest arena in the NBA regarding seating capacity.
5. American Airlines Arena [Miami Heat]
With a seating capacity north of 21,000, the American Airlines Arena is one big arena. It doesn’t get any better than that because you are near Miami Beach.
Jimmy Butler and the rest of the Miami Heat have enjoyed much success over the past few years.
However, it sent shockwaves worldwide when LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to join Dwyane Wade en route to four straight finals appearances and two back-to-back championships.
Since taking up his residency, this NBA arena has enjoyed 3 NBA championships to its name.
6. Bankers Life Fieldhouse [Indiana Pacers]
While they may not be as popular as the previously mentioned NBA arenas, the Bankers Life Fieldhouse is 6th on our list for many reasons.
One, it is located in the heart of Indiana, which makes it the best spot for fans to come and watch games. Second, it is surrounded by plenty of restaurants, bars, and a center for activities.
The only problem is that Indiana hasn’t fared since Paul George left.
However, the city is optimistic as Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner are steadily improving and are a force to be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.
7. Fiserv Forum [Milwaukee Bucks]
Fiserv Forum opened in 2018, and much to the delight of fans and its owners, it has enjoyed plenty of success since its creation.
Led by the Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks have enjoyed the eastern conference’s first-seed appearance and have been dominant in its conference.
The arena is still young but went into a frenzy when the Milwaukee Bucks captured the 2021 NBA finals defeating Phoenix Suns.
Lastly, the Fiserv Forum is the smallest arena next to the Smoothie King Center.
8. American Airlines Center [Dallas Mavericks]
If we’re talking about the American Airlines Center, we would most likely talk about Dirk Nowitzki. It is not to be confused with American Airlines Arena.
Since billionaire Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks, everything went right for the franchise, including the arena. If you want to watch games while eating a sumptuous meal, we suggest you do it here.
The arena is packed with restaurants and bars serving wonderful dishes and drinks. The atmosphere around the arena is pretty intense, and the crowd is almost always full in attendance.
9. Scotiabank Arena [Toronto Raptors]
Formerly known as Air Canada Centre, Scotiabank Arena is a famous NBA arena for being the home of the Toronto Raptors and the most popular rapper, Drake.
There’s always Drake in plain sight in Scotiabank Arena; combined with the fanfare, it doesn’t get any better when you watch their NBA games.
With a seating capacity north of 19,000, the Air Canada Centre is one of the bigger arenas in Canada.
Apart from its almost nonexistent history due to lack of success, everything took a turn for the better when the franchise finally won in 2019, led by Kawhi Leonard.
10. Chesapeake Energy Arena [Oklahoma City Thunder]
Oklahoma City and its fans are among the best fanbases the NBA has seen. Although the city was only awarded its first NBA team a few decades ago, it enjoyed success.
One reason for their success was Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and James Harden. The franchise drafted three superstar players and made it to the 2012 NBA finals.
The Chesapeake Energy Arena might be new, but the crazy fanfare around the city might give you ideas on where to spend your holidays watching NBA games.
11. Moda Center [Portland Trail Blazers]
Moda Center is the home of the Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard. It is one of the most popular NBA arenas, as you will be greeted by over 70+ food vendors nearby.
Portland is a small city, but don’t let it fool you. Once playoffs time starts, you will soon realize this has to be one of the best fanbases the sport has ever seen.
They have a very supportive fanbase, a testament to Damian Lillard’s wish to stay with the franchise and win it all for the fans. Let’s hope Damian Lillard can carry the franchise on its shoulders.
12. AT&T Center [San Antonio Spurs]
Like its legendary superstar Tim Duncan, AT&T Center doesn’t need all the bells and whistles to entice fans to watch a basketball game.
Why? One of the reasons is that they have one of the most dedicated and supportive fans the league has ever seen.
Only a few teams can do what San Antonio Spurs have done over the years: to be a consistent perennial contender in the western conference.
They have won 5 NBA championships, led by the famous trio of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Tim Duncan.
13. Amway Center [Orlando Magic]
The Amway Center might not have had much success for quite some time, but this arena remains well-loved by many because of its state-of-the-art features.
This arena features luxurious suites, fine-dining restaurants, and various areas wherein kids can play while adults go for a drink. The Amway Center has the largest scoreboard in the league too!
It’s just a shame that the team hasn’t reciprocated its fans with the best basketball in recent years.
14. Pepsi Center [Denver Nuggets]
Called the Mile High Center, the Pepsi Center has long been associated with friendly fans and an enormous fanbase.
Some of its concessions are top-notch compared to other NBA arenas in the league, and the bright lights and wonderful games make it more enticing to watch their games.
Overall, Nikola Jokić and the rest of the Denver Nuggets are making a run in the western conference racking up 50+ wins in consecutive seasons. Let’s hope the two-time MVP can carry this momentum moving forward.
15. Chase Center [Golden State Warriors]
The Chase Center is one of the newest arenas in the league, and it didn’t take too long before the fans were delighted with its impressive specifications, especially the oversized jumbotron.
It’s the new headquarters for the four-time NBA champions Golden State Warriors and has been one of the driving forces as the team currently has the best home record in the NBA.
Let’s hope Steph Curry and Klay Thompson will bring their team to another NBA title.
16. Toyota Center [Houston Rockets]
Toyota Center is one of the newest arenas in the NBA after Yao Ming dominated the league and retired due to injuries.
Tracy McGrady carried the torch en route to being named NBA All-Star multiple times. Toyota Center wasn’t a popular arena even before James Harden won the MVP.
However, this is notable because it has one of the coolest scoreboards in the league.
17. Vivint Smart Home Arena [Utah Jazz]
Located in Salt Lake City, the Vivint Smart Home Arena is one of the few arenas that were improved and facelifted to accommodate fans with comfy seats and great arena activities.
While it took a while before the renovation was finished, the new look Vivint Smart Home Arena showed plenty of optimism to fans, and its young core made waves around the league.
Despite trading their two superstars, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, the team still showed promise with its young core racking wins here and there.
Utah Jazz is still left with plenty of players that are good in their own right. Hopefully, it can translate into wins next season.
18. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse [Cleveland Cavaliers]
Formerly known as the Quicken Loans Arena or the Q, the arena took a facelift and was named the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It is one of the largest NBA arenas in the league, capable of accommodating more than 20,000 fans in attendance.
While they have been abysmal since Kyrie and LeBron James left, the addition of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland’s resurgence can make this city proud for future generations.
19. FedEx Forum [Memphis Grizzlies]
As the only arena named “Forum,” the FedEx Forum has been a pleasant addition to its people since it finished construction in 2004.
It has a huge glass entrance and a practice court on the right that allows you to witness some of your favorite NBA players doing their warmup sessions.
FedEx Forum has been a steady arena for the Memphis Grizzlies, and with Ja Morant at the helm, the future looks bright for this city and its people.
20. Smoothie King Center [New Orleans Pelicans]
The Smoothie King Center is home to the New Orleans Pelicans. Regarding seating capacity, the smallest arena in the NBA can only accommodate up to 16,867 fans.
Although it has a small seating capacity, it can get loud in an instant, especially when playoffs time comes. It is a solid arena with lots of concessionaires.
The Smoothie King Arena might have a small capacity, but when the playoffs time comes, it can be extended up to 18,000, making it one of the best crowds.
21. Capital One Arena [Washington Wizards]
Capital One Arena has shown its age in recent years. While some arenas are slowly renovating their own, the Capital One Arena isn’t renovating anytime soon.
Partly, one of the reasons it has a lackluster attendance is not only its dated arena, but the team has also been piling up losses ever since John Wall left the franchise.
Still, there is plenty of optimism in the capital as the recently acquired Kristaps Porzingis is showing why he is one of the best big men in the league.
22. Wells Fargo Center [Philadelphia 76ers]
Situated in the city of brotherly love, the Wells Fargo Center has been the home of the Philadelphia 76ers for years, and like many arenas, they are also in a constant rebuild.
From Allen Iverson to Joel Embiid, Wells Fargo Center has had its fair share of highs and lows since its construction in 1996.
With Joel Embiid at the helm and James Harden playing the best basketball of his life, let’s hope they make a deep playoff run this year to show their fans why they deserve to be here.
23. Golden 1 Center [Sacramento Kings]
Formerly known as the Arco Arena and Sleep Train Arena, the Golden 1 Center has been the home of the Sacramento Kings in recent years.
There was no optimism in the city as the team struggled mightily to compete in the west, especially with the roster they had.
However, this year, the Sacramento Kings improved by leaps and bounds en route to making the NBA playoffs for the first time in 17 years.
24. Talking Stick Resort [Phoenix Suns]
The Talking Stick Resort, or the Talking Stick Arena, might be known as the primary arena when hosting WWE, but this arena is the home of Phoenix Suns.
Over the last few years, the Suns enjoyed deep playoff runs with Chris Paul and Devin Booker at the helm.
With the addition of Kevin Durant, the arena’s seating capacity is always jampacked and fully booked every game. The addition of Kevin Durant should translate to more playoff wins.
25. State Farm Arena [Atlanta Hawks]
Formerly known as Phillips Arena, it went into a major facelift, and once it was done, the management decided it would take a new name from its major sponsor, State Farm.
While there’s not much to look forward to in Atlanta, the State Farm Arena has been one of the few surprises this year due to the addition of All-Star Dejounte Murray.
His addition sparked new life in the area, and overall attendance has steadily improved.
One notable feature is a scoreboard stretching from one free-throw line to another.
The arena has its fair share of ups and downs but nothing more memorable than the 2007 to 2017 seasons, where they enjoyed 10 straight playoff appearances and a 60-win season in the 2014-2015 season.
26. Spectrum Center [Charlotte Hornets]
Situated in downtown Charlotte, the Spectrum Center is home to the Charlotte Hornets and Jordan himself.
There’s not a lot of history behind this arena, as the Charlotte Hornets have been consistently struggling since Jordan was at the helm.
Despite having promising pieces like Lamelo Ball and Miles Bridges, it hasn’t been great with the franchise and is constantly marred with poor performances and low attendance numbers.
Hopefully, Michael Jordan can do something about the team and turn it around, as they have all the tools to become the best team in the league.
27. Barclays Center [Brooklyn Nets]
The Barclays Center opened in 2012, so you can enjoy a sleek and modern arena down in Brooklyn.
A basketball game here is quite expensive, and the allure of expensive concessions and Brooklyn Vendors made this arena popular outside of Madison Square Garden.
While it’s shocking, they traded their superstar duo Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and they got promising players looking for a change in scenery for a bigger role.
Hopefully, they can carve out an identity of their own so Barclays Center can be back and alive once again, cheering for their favorite players.
28. Target Center [Minnesota Timberwolves]
Target Center has been the home of the Minnesota Timberwolves for many years. From the days of Kevin Garnett up until now, it has aged beautifully well.
While it was renovated the previous year with new facilities, hospitality areas, and such, Target Center remains one of the league’s lowest-ranked NBA arenas.
Well, let’s hope rising star Anthony Edwards along with Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert, can turn things around, as they have the potential to wreak havoc in the western conference.
29. Little Caesars Arena [Detroit Pistons]
Well, it doesn’t help when you are situated in one of the most dangerous cities in the country. Rightfully, Little Caesars Arena has been consistently ranked as the lowest arena in the league.
There’s not much to enjoy in Little Caesars Arena, the team is consistently struggling in the eastern conference, and the only good piece they have is Cade Cunningham.
Aside from Cade, there’s not much the Detroit Pistons have to show for it. Even some players don’t want to play for this franchise because of the stigma surrounding the city of Detroit.
Why Are NBA Arenas Important For NBA Games?
Aside from the business side of things, NBA arenas are important because it is where the fans meet their idols, and it is the area where they get a chance to cheer for their hometown team.
While everyone is fortunate to have their own NBA arena, few people can watch a game. Ticket prices are always subject to change depending on several factors.
However, how people look at it is that an NBA arena is a haven for them to enjoy and watch the action live. It’s a step away from the hustle and bustle of working.
NBA teams are constantly visiting each NBA arena. So, if you have a favorite player from the opposite team, you can meet them at your home team’s NBA arena.
Conclusion
Almost all NBA teams have their respective arenas. Regardless of their specifications, it is the area where hometown fans get to see up close and personal with their home team and their idols.
In addition, these are also places wherein hometown people get to meet each other and have the best time of their lives.
Like the Boston Garden, NBA arenas have many fun games wherein people can bond and have fun. This article should summarize all of the arenas each NBA team has.