NBA Twitter reacts to first look at Oklahoma City Thunder's new arena.
Nearly two years since it was first voted in, the Oklahoma City Thunder finally had a chance to see what their new home will look like three years before they officially move in. Renderings were finally published at OKC's State of the City address.
The NBA champion is set to move to a new downtown OKC arena in 2028. That means only three more seasons will be played at Paycom Center. The $900 million construction cost guarantees the Thunder will stay in OKC through 2053 once it signs a new long-term lease.
The Thunder have played at Paycom Center since their relocation from Seattle in 2008. The arena opened in 2002 and is one of the smaller NBA homes. It was formerly known as the Chesapeake Energy Arena before being rebranded as Paycom Center in 2021.
After capturing an NBA championship, the Thunder should remain a title contender throughout Paycom Center's final years. When the new OKC arena opens, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren will still be under contract.
Thunder fans loved the new renders. Here's how social media reacted to the photos:
Oklahoma City has officially unveiled the first renderings of the city's new arena project 🏀
— Sports Business Journal (@SBJ) July 16, 2025
The $900M build — which is projected to open in 2028 — will be the future home of the NBA Champion Thunder.@bretjust1t takes a look 🔻https://t.co/n1tpdpMqKJpic.twitter.com/w1j9WYuLjf
OH MY GOD THEY COOKED
— ThunderChats (@ThunderChats) July 16, 2025
THE NEW OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ARENA RENDERINGS ARE HERE AND THEY ARE INSANE pic.twitter.com/3d0vHmpZ4x
The first renderings for OKC’s near 1 Billion Dollar arena that is set to open in 2028, per @SBJ. pic.twitter.com/L824wjUn1m
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) July 16, 2025
Renderings of the new Thunder arena to be built and open in 2028 from @SBJ
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) July 16, 2025
Can’t wait to be in this building pic.twitter.com/V9w6rpr8CE
Renderings of the new Thunder arena pic.twitter.com/YEG1zEt50k
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 16, 2025
First impression: the new OKC arena concept design looks incredible. pic.twitter.com/FWG6mGAFqP
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 16, 2025
A peek into the future of downtown OKC.
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 16, 2025
Preliminary conceptual designs of the Oklahoma City New Arena 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/d3hCpwMTZH
Here is the first glimpse of the new arena planned for the old Myriad/Cox Center site.
— OKCTalk.com (@OKCTalk) July 16, 2025
Construction will start in early 2026, and the project is scheduled to be complete by the summer of 2028, in time for the 2028/29 season pic.twitter.com/XVsBmFHdOd
THE NEW OKC THUNDER ARENA IS INSANE pic.twitter.com/dLiy4wu69h
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) July 16, 2025
THE NEW OKC THUNDER ARENA IS INSANE pic.twitter.com/dLiy4wu69h
— THE UNCONTESTED PODCAST (@The_Uncontested) July 16, 2025
OKC’s new arena will be more intimate, OKC Mayor David Holt said. Capacity will likely be in the 17,000s, down from 18,203 at Paycom Center.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) July 16, 2025
Really dig the OKC logo on top of the arena. pic.twitter.com/EoL1pdYLYg
— Brandon Rahbar (@BrandonRahbar) July 16, 2025
“Loud City is gonna get louder,” architect David Manica said. He mentioned how the seats are going to be pulled closer to the court, which will naturally lead to more volume. https://t.co/LE2VfN6q2W
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) July 16, 2025
Oklahoma City has released the first renderings of its new $900M arena project.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 16, 2025
Set to open in 2028, the state-of-the-art venue will be the future home of the Thunder.
(via @SBJ) pic.twitter.com/L80Kgjb6ol
Love this. Been to a few arenas with glass walls and they’re all awesome. Oklahoma’s sunset will make this even better. Utah’s is my current favorite with being able to look out and see mountains on their concourse. https://t.co/T5QCojmPcK
— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) July 16, 2025
Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett reacts to OKC New Arena preliminary design unveiling pic.twitter.com/Y89HZBNSl6
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) July 16, 2025
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: NBA Twitter reacts to first look at OKC Thunder's new arena
Category: Basketball
