Home to the Home to the Oklahoma City Blazers (Central Hockey League), Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (arenafootball2), and since serving as a temporary home for the New Orleans Hornets (2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA Seasons), Ford Center has become the official home to the NBA in Oklahoma City (beginning with the 2008-09 NBA season). The SMG-managed facility also plays host to major concerts, family events, ice shows, sporting events and the latest in show stopping entertainment.

While it is managed by SMG, the Ford Center is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and was the premier project of its visionary capital improvement program (MAPS) to finance new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural and convention facilities with a one-cent sales tax. Since opening in 2002, a number of improvements have been made to the facility including new restaurants, speakers, video boards and security features. Then, on March 4, 2008, Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly approved another temporary one-cent sales tax, which is expected to generate $121.6 million over 15 months to fund several major upgrades to the Ford Center. Plans include a grand entrance, multistory atrium, new restaurants, clubs, concession areas, bunker suites, loge boxes, roof top gardens, locker rooms, a warm-up basketball court, team offices and a 12,000-square-foot family fun zone. Visit www.okc.gov/FordCenter to learn more.

Current facts and stats are listed below.

Opening Date: June 8, 2002 Construction Start: Spring 1999 Cost: $89 million Architect: The Benham Companies Funding: As the premier project of MAPS, Oklahoma City's visionary capital improvement program to finance new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural and convention facilities, the Ford Center was publicly financed by a temporary one-cent sales tax. Owner: The City of Oklahoma City Management Company: SMG Tenants: Oklahoma City Blazers Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz NBA in Oklahoma City Total Square Feet: 586,000 Height: 108 ft. from ground level to roof (exterior) 130 ft. from arena floor to roof (interior) Arena Floor: 22 feet below street level 34,074 square feet (144'x 260') 11 miles of pipe (used to make ice) Elements: Brick Concrete Structural Steel 95,000 square feet 53,000 cubic feet 7,700 tons (2,100 in the roof, 5,500 in reinforcing) Seating Capacities: Arena Football Basketball Concert (Center Stage) Concert (End Stage) Concert (Theatre Style) Hockey 17,868 19,599 19,711 19,231 4,961 18,036 Capacities by Section: Lower Level (Section 100) Club Seats (Section 200) Upper Level (Section 300) 6,300 plus 3,380 7,700 Private Suites: 49 (20 built-out during initial bid) Party/Rental Suites: 7 Restaurants/Clubs: Sunset Bistro Victory Bar & Buffet York Icehouse Concession Stands: 23 plus numerous portable stands for specialty vendors Escalators: 8 Elevators: 6 Passenger, 2 Freight Restrooms: Men's Fixtures Women's Fixtures 48 Total (including 12 Family Restrooms) 145 256 Scoreboards: Centerhung Endzone video boards 360-degree LED ribbon board 8 sides (4 video screens) 16,000 lbs (8 tons) 2 1 Capacities by Section: Lower Level (Section 100) Club Seats (Section 200) Upper Level (Section 300) 6,300 plus 3,380 7,700 TV Monitors: More than 200