It’s a new era for both Oklahoma City and its world champion basketball team.
After announcing a 15-year partnership with Continental Resources that included the naming rights to the new arena that is slated to open in Downtown Oklahoma City in the summer of 2028, the city held a groundbreaking event earlier today.
At the event, speeches were given by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti and others, with The Suave Report’s own Addam Francisco getting access to Chris Semrau, the GM of the Paycom Center and MANICA Architecture’s David Manica for some details on the new arena.
Continental Coliseum, which is planned to be ready for the 2028-29 NBA season, is set to give the Oklahoma City Thunder a state-of-the-art arena to play in after legislation to secure public funding via a penny tax for the arena was voted through by the people of Oklahoma City in 2023.
MANICA Architecture, which was crucial in the design and construction of the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center in Downtown San Francisco, the Las Vegas Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and is involved in the design process of the soon-to-be-announced Chicago Bears stadium, has a track record of building high-quality venues.
The project is an exciting step in OKC becoming a “big league city,” a phrase commonly used by Holt during the process of trying to secure the public’s vote back in 2023.
Since the Thunder came to Downtown Oklahoma City, the area has been rejuvenated into one of the most rapidly growing economic venues in the state of Oklahoma, and with a brand new, high-quality arena, that is sure to continue.
