Architecture: Top 10 Basketball Arenas

Basketball is probably my 4th or 5th favorite sport, so I'm probably not as familiar with every stadium. However as a lifelong sports fan I am no stranger to the biggest and most iconic basketball programs and the great arenas they play in. I remember first following professional basketball in the mid 1990s during Michael Jordan's dominant years with the Chicago Bulls. I later became a fan of college basketball in 2003 when I decided to attend Indiana University. And finally I became an Indiana Pacers fan since I moved to Indy in 2010. In this post I'm going to highlight my favorite basketball areanas, both college and professional. These also happen to be the most successful and iconic basketball programs in the country.

My Top Ten Favorite Basketball Arenas

10. Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Tenants: Indiana Pacers (NBA)

Year Constructed: 1999

Capacity: 17,923

Architect: Ellerbe Becket

Significance: Although the Indiana Pacers have yet to win a championship, unlike the other teams on this list, it is still one of the best arenas. This is because of the Indiana basketball tradition, that brings out one of the most loyal of fanbases in the country. I myself have been to this stadium several times now that was once known as the Conseco Fieldhouse. The stadium itself is a very modern and comfortable enclosure. The court can be seen from every seat in the house, and it has one of the largest jumbo screens in basketball. Their dance team known as the Pace-mates, and their mascot, Boomer, makes for one of the most entertaining experiences in the game. 

9. Breslin Center

Location: East Lansing, MI

Tenants: Michigan State Spartans (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1989

Capacity: 16,280

Architect: HNTB

Significance: Since their first championship in 1979 with Magic Johnson, the MSU Spartans appeared on the radar as a new basketball power. They later hired Tom Hizzo in 1983 and the new dominant program emerged quickly after. It's stadium and environment became one of the most notorious in the Big Ten for it's extremely high energy. In 2000 the Spartans won their 2nd national title. They were then able to transfer the hardwood floor of which they won their championship at the RCA dome, to become the new floor of the Breslin Center. It is this type of creativity that makes the Breslin Center won of the best stadiums and atmospheres in all of basketball. I have seen this stadium several times having worked and visited family in Lansing, MI.

8. Hinkle Fieldhouse

Location: Indianapolis, IN

Tenants: Butler Bulldogs (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1928

Capacity: 9100

Architect: Fermor Spencer Cannon

Nickname: Indiana's Basketball Cathedral

Significance: It is known as the Cathedral of Indiana Basketball, the sixth oldest college basketball stadiums still in use. Although Butler has not won a national championship they have gone to the national championship twice and have become one of Indiana's most iconic basketball teams. The field house is national historic landmark. It was renamed from the Butler Fieldhouse to the Hinkle Fieldhouse in honor of Tony Hinkle who coached the team for 40 years. The stadium was also the home setting for the iconic 1986 film, Hoosiers. I have actually been inside this stadium several times yet have not witnessed a game there, yet.  

7. Cameron Indoor Stadium

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Tenants: Duke Blue Devils (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1940

Capacity: 9,314

Architect: Horace Trumbauer

Significance: Since the hiring of Coach Mike Kryzewski in 1980, Duke has emerged as one of the top college basketball programs in the country. They have won 5 titles since 1990 and established a modern dynasty legacy. The stadium is one of the older stadiums still in use, named after Eddie Cameron, who managed the team for 30 years, from 1926 to 1972. The court is named Coach K court, after their leader and most winning college basketball coach of all time. It's atmosphere is among the highest energy in the game.

6. United Center

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Tenants: Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL)

Year Constructed: 1994

Capacity: 20,917

Architect: Populous, WE Simpson Company

Nicknames: The Madhouse on Madison

Significance: It was built in 1994 during the Chicago Bulls rise to greatness under their superstar player Michael Jordan. The fans witnessed 3 incredible championship runs at the United Center from 1996, 1997, and 1998. The stadium quickly gained worldwide recognition for it's successful team. Besides the greatness brought on from the Bulls is the greatness brought on from their professional NHL hockey team, the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have brought  recent championships for their fans to witness in 2010, 2013, and 2015. With those two teams, especially the Bulls, United Center has been considered a house of champions. It also happens to be the largest NBA arena. 

5. Rupp Arena

Location: Lexington, KY

Tenants: Kentucky Wildcats (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1974

Capacity: 23,500

Architect: Ellerbe Becket

Significance: It is home to one of the most successful college basketball programs in the country. Since it's construction in 1974, the Kentucky Wildcats have gone on to add 4 more national championships to their grand total of 8. The stadium is named after their legendary head coach Adolph Rupp who coached the team for over 40 years, brought them 4 championships, and is the 4th most winning coach of all time. The stadium is a homage to his honor as well as the successful tradition of Kentucky basketball. It is also the 2nd largest college basketball stadium after the Syracuse Carrier Dome. 

4. Staples Center

Location: Los Angeles, California

Tenants: Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), Los Angeles Clippers (NBA), Los Angeles Kings (NHL)

Year Constructed: 1999

Capacity: 19,060

Architect: NBBJ

Significance: It is perhaps one of the busiest arenas in all professional sports as it is home for 3 major sports franchises, the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Kings (NHL). Outside the stadium is a busy plaza with statues of Lakers legends; Magic Johnson and Karim Abdul Jabbar as well as hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Since it's construction in 1999, the LA Lakers re-emerged as their former dominant selves. The team went on to win 5 championships in a decade, led by Coach Phil Jackson, and their superstar duo of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal. The arena is one of the most entertaining atmospheres in the league and is often loaded with LA celebrities. 

3. Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall

Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Tenants: Indiana Hoosiers (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1971

Capacity: 17,222

Architect: Eggers & Higgens

Nicknames: The Carnegie Hall of Basketball

Significance: It is a Midwestern gem, the iconic home of the legendary Indiana Hoosiers. Before the stadium was built the Hoosiers had already established themselves as a national power house thanks to two champions won by head coach Branch MaCracken in 1940 and 1953 (of which the court at Assembly Hall is named after). However upon Bob Knight's arrival in 1971 the program reach an even higher standard with 3 additional championships in 1976, 1981, and 1987. During his 30 years coaching for IU at Assembly Hall, Bob Knight became one of the all time winningest coaches in basketball history under only Coach K of Duke and Jim Boeheim of Syracuse. In the 2000s post Knight era, the Hoosier program has continued to expand with new renovations to it's stadium including a new jumbo screen. I have been to this stadium multiple times and can say it's environment truly lives up to it's reputation. It is an incredible atmosphere and a proud gem of Indiana culture.   

2. Allen Fieldhouse

Location: Lawrence, KS

Tenants: Kansas Jayhawks (NCAA)

Year Constructed: 1955

Capacity: 16,300

Architect: Charles L. Marshall 

Nickname: The Phog

Significance: It is one of the most historically significant college basketball arenas in action, home to the successful Jayhawks program. The stadium is named after Dr. Forrest Phog Allen, who coached at Kansas for nearly 40 years. The court has a special significance being named after James Naismith who is credited with inventing the game of basketball and founding Kansas' basketball program. The arena is often claimed to be one of the loudest centers in all of college basketball. The program has 3 national championships and is always in contention for more. I have actually seen this stadium when I visited my cousin who once lived in Lawrence.

1. Madison Square Garden

Location: New York City, NY

Tenants: New York Knicks (NBA), St. Johns Red Storm (NCAA), New York Rangers (NHL) 

Year Constructed: 1968

Capacity: 19,812

Architect: Charles Luckman Associates
Nickname: The Mecca, The Garden, The World's Most Famous Arena

Significance: It is one of the oldest active professional venues in Ne w York City and the 2nd oldest in the NBA. It's current building is actually the 4th venue to bear it's name, located in the heart of New York City near the Empire State Building. It i a multi-purpose arena used by the New York Knicks, the St. Johns Red Storm, the New York Rangers. It has been home to many significant sporting tournaments and famous boxing matches such as Ali vs Frazier. Aside from sports it is also one of the busiest music arenas, with the 4th highest selling tickets in the world. It's basketball audience has overseen 2 New York Knicks championships. I myself have set foot inside the incredible Madison Square Garden and understand how this historic-culture venue is considered the worlds most famous arena.