List of NBA Team and Arena Names

Nothing is quite as exhilarating as watching an NBA game live and at the team’s respective arena.  However, with 30 franchise NBA teams spread across six different divisions and two respective conferences, it can be difficult to remember all the team and arena names. 

That is why, below, we have compiled a full list of NBA team and arena names to serve as a reference for the next time you are looking to attend a live NBA game.

As the NBA started in 1946, it has grown in popularity and is one of the biggest and most successful sports organizations in the world.  And with NBA players typically signing contracts in the tens-of-millions of dollars per year, the question of arena and team franchise costs is an important piece of the overall equation. 

In the 2021-22 NBA season, there are currently 30 NBA teams.  These 30 teams are evenly divided within two conferences, the Eastern and the Western, respectively.  Looking even further, these teams are divided into six respective divisions, with each conference housing three separate divisions.

In a regular NBA season, each team will play a total of 82 games.  The top eight teams, based on total wins and losses, will enter the NBA playoffs.  Seeding is determined by the total wins versus losses by a respective franchise team, and the top seeded team will face off against the lowest seeded team in a best of 7 matchup.

Similarly, the second seeded team will face off against the seventh seeded team, with the third seed facing off against the fourth seeded.  While having a better overall record in the regular season will position a team to face off against a lower seeded team, the true advantage comes from having an additional game played at the higher seeded teams home arena.

So, without further ado, below is the full list of all NBA teams and their respective stadium and arena names.

Atlanta Hawks

• Team Name – Atlanta Hawks
• Arena Name – State Farm Arena
• Arena Capacity – 18,118
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Atlanta, Georgia
• History of the Atlanta Hawks – the Atlanta Hawks are a part of the NBA’s eastern Conference Southeast Division.  The team was established as the Buffalo Bison’s in 1946 in Buffalo, New York.  Soon thereafter, the. Team moved to Moline, Illinois where they were renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.  In 1949, they joined the NBA and moved to Milwaukee where they changed their name to the Hawks.  In 1955 they moved to St. Louis and in 1968 they moved to Atlanta.
• History of State Farm Arena – State Farm Arena opened in 1999 at a cost of $213.5 million.  It is owned by the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority and is operated by the Hawks.  The arena is used by the Atlanta Hawks and for concerts and events.

Boston Celtics

• Team Name – Boston Celtics
• Arena Name – TD Garden
• Arena Capacity – 18,624
• Arena Opening – 1995
• Team Location, Boston, Massachusetts
• History of the Boston Celtics – founded in 1946 as one of the NBA’s original eight teams, the Boston Celtics are tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most NBA Championships won, with 17.  They also hold the record. For most wins of any NBA team and are one of the only teams still playing in their original city.
• History of TD Garden – TD Garden is named after its sponsor TD Bank.  It opened in 1995 as a replacement for the original Boston Garden and is located directly above the MBTA’s North Station.  It is the most visited sports and entertainment arena in New England, with over 3.5 million visitors per year.

Brooklyn Nets

• Team Name – Brooklyn Nets
• Arena Name – Barclays Center
• Arena Capacity – 17,732
• Arena Opening – 2012
• Team Location – Brooklyn, New York
• History of the Brooklyn Nets – the Brooklyn Nets are a part of the Eastern Conference’s Atlantic Division.  They are one of two NBA teams located in New York City.  The team was established in 1967 and played in New Jersey as the New Jersey Americans before relocating to Long Island, New York in 1968 and changing their name to the New York Nets.  In 1977, the team returned to New Jersey, playing as the New Jersey Nets before moving to Brooklyn in 2012.
• History of Barclays Center – Barclays Center is an indoor arena in Brooklyn and hosts both the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Liberty of the WNBA.  The arena is a part. Of the 4.9-billion-dollar future business and residential complex known as Pacific Park and is accessible via the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R, W subway routes and directly above the LIRR’s Atlantic Terminal.

Charlotte Hornets

• Team Name – Charlotte Hornets
• Arena Name – Spectrum Center
• Arena Capacity – 19,077
• Arena Opening – 2005
• Team Location – Charlotte, North Carolina
• History of the Charlotte Hornets – the Charlotte Hornets are a part of the NBA’s Eastern Conference within the Southeast Division.  The team is owned by Michael Jordan and were established in 1988 as an expansion team.  In 2002, the team relocated to New Orleans, being known as the New Orleans Hornets.  In 2004, the NBA established the Charlotte Bobcats.  In 2014, the Bobcats were renamed the Charlotte Hornets and acquired all official history of the Hornets with the New Orleans team being renamed the Pelicans.
• History of Spectrum Center – Spectrum Center is an indoor arena in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina and is owned by the city of Charlotte and operated by the Charlotte Hornets.  The arena seats 19,077 for NBA games and can be expanded to 20,200 for college basketball games.

Chicago Bulls

• Team Name – Chicago Bulls
• Arena Name – United Center
• Arena Capacity – 20,917
• Arena Opening – 1994
• Team Location – Chicago, Illinois
• History of the Chicago Bulls – the Chicago Bulls compete in the NBA within the Eastern Conference Central Division.  Founded in 1966, the Chicago Bulls play in Chicago’s West Side shared with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.  The Chicago Bulls saw great success in the 1990’s, being led to multiple NBA Championships by Michael Jordan.
• History of Unite Center – United Center is named after the Bulls corporate sponsor United Airlines, which has a hub at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.  With a capacity of nearly 21,000, it is the largest arena by capacity in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers

• Team Name – Cleveland Cavaliers
• Arena Name – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
• Arena Capacity – 19,432
• Arena Opening – 1994
• Team Location – Cleveland, Ohio
• History of the Cleveland Cavaliers – the Cleveland Cavaliers play within the NBA’s Eastern Conference and in the Central Division.  The team began as an expansion team in 1970 and home games were originally held at Cleveland Arena and then Richfield Coliseum.
• History of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – home to both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League, the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse opened in October of 1994 as part of the Gateway Sports and Entertainment Complex with adjacent Progressive Field.  The arena was purchased by Dan Gilbert in 2005 and renamed Quicken Loans Arena after his mortgage company Quicken Loans, which was renamed to Rocket Mortgage.

Dallas Mavericks

• Team Name – Dallas Mavericks
• Arena Name – American Airlines Center
• Arena Capacity – 19,200
• Arena Opening – 2001
• Team Location – Dallas, Texas
• History of the Dallas Mavericks – the Dallas Mavericks play in the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division.  As of December 2019, the Mavericks have sold out 731 consecutive games, which is the longest current sellout streak in any North American major league sport.  The team is currently owned by the famous Mark Cuban.
• History of American Airlines Center – American Airlines Center is named after the corporate sponsor American Airlines and opened in 2001 at a cost of $420 million.  It is used by both the Dallas Mavericks and the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

Denver Nuggets

• Team Name – Denver Nuggets
• Arena Name – Ball Arena
• Arena Capacity – 19,520
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Denver, Colorado
• History of the Denver Nuggets – the Denver Nuggets compete in the NBA as a member of the Western Conference Northwest Division.  Originally. Founded as the Denver Larks in 1967, they changed their name to the Rockets for the. First season.  In 1974, the team changed their name again to the Nuggets.
• History of Ball Arena – Ball Arena, previously known as Pepsi Center, is a multi-purpose arena located in Downtown Denver.  Opened in 1999, it is the home arena for the Denver Nuggets, the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL, and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League.

Detroit Pistons

• Team Name – Detroit Pistons
• Arena Name – Little Caesars Arena
• Arena Capacity – 20,332
• Arena Opening – 2017
• Team Location – Detroit, Michigan
• History of the Detroit Pistons – the Detroit Pistons play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Central Division.  Founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons in 1937, they would join the NBA in 1949 and moved to Detroit in 1957.
• History of Little Caesars Arena – Little Caesars Arena is in Midtown Detroit and opened in 2017 at a cost of $862.9 million.  The arena features unique, clear plastic roofed concourse which connects it to nearby offices and shops.

Golden State Warriors

• Team Name – Golden State Warriors
• Arena Name – Chase Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,064
• Arena Opening – 2019
• Team Location – San Francisco, California
• History of the Golden State Warriors – the Golden State Warriors are part of the NBA’s Western Conference Pacific Division.  Founded in 1946 in Philadelphia, the Warriors moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and were known as the San Francisco Warriors.  In 1971, the team changed its name to the Golden State Warriors.
• History of the Chase Center – the Chase Center is an indoor arena in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco.  Home to the Golden State Warriors, the Chase Center opened in 2019 and also includes the Warriors’ practice facility.

Houston Rockets

• Team Name – Houston Rockets
• Arena Name – Toyota Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,055
• Arena Opening – 2003
• Team Location – Houston, Texas
• History of the Houston Rockets – the Houston Rockets are part of the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division.  They play in Downtown Houston and were established in 1967 as the San Diego Rockets.  In 1971, the team relocated to Houston.
• History of Toyota Center – Toyota Center is an indoor arena and is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota.  The arena began construction in 2001 and was opened in October of 2003 at a cost of $235 million, with the city of Houston paying the majority of the costs.  Toyota would pay $100 million for the naming rights.

Indiana Pacers

• Team Name – Indiana Pacers
• Arena Name – Gainbridge FieldHouse
• Arena Capacity – 17,923
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Indianapolis, Indiana
• History of the Indiana Pacers – the Indiana Pacers are part of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Central Division.  First established in 1967, they became part of the NBA in 1976.  The Pacers are named after Indiana’s history with pace cars and the racing industry.
• History of Gainbridge FieldHouse – Gainbridge FieldHouse opened in 1999 and replaced the Marker Square Arena.  Home to both the Indiana Pacers and the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, the arena also hosts college basketball games, concerts, and hockey events.

Los Angeles Clippers

• Team Name – Los Angeles Clippers
• Arena Name – Staples Center
• Arena Capacity – 19,068
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Los Angeles, California
• History of the Los Angeles Clippers – the Los Angeles Clippers are part of the NBA’s Western Conference Pacific Division.  They share their arena with the Los Angeles Lakers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.  The Clippers plan to move into their own arena in 2024.  Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, they relocated to San Diego in 1978 and to Los Angeles. In 1984, without the approval of the NBA.
• History of the Staples Center – the Staples Center is a multi-purpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles.  The arena opened on October 17, 1999, and beginning on December 25, 2021, the arena will be known as Crypto.com Arena.

Los Angeles Lakers

• Team Name – Los Angeles Lakers
• Arena Name – Staples Center
• Arena Capacity – 19,068
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Los Angeles, California
• History of the Los Angeles Lakers – the Los Angeles Lakers are part of the NBA’s Western Conference Pacific Division.  They share their arena with the Los Angeles Clippers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.  They are one of the NBA’s most successful and storied franchises, winning a total of 17 NBA Championships.  They began in 1947 and played in Minneapolis, Minnesota and were known as the Minneapolis Lakers, they would relocate to Los Angeles before the 1960-61 NBA season.
• History of the Staples Center – the Staples Center is a multi-purpose arena in Downtown Los Angeles.  The arena opened on October 17, 1999, and beginning on December 25, 2021, the arena will be known as Crypto.com Arena.

Memphis Grizzlies

• Team Name – Memphis Grizzlies
• Arena Name – FedEx Forum
• Arena Capacity – 17,794
• Arena Opening – 2004
• Team Location – Memphis, Tennessee
• History of the Memphis Grizzlies – the Memphis Grizzlies play in the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division.  The Grizzlies are the only team in any major professional North American sports leagues based in Memphis.  Originally known as the Vancouver Grizzlies, the team joined the NBA in the 1995-96 season and moved to Memphis after the 2000-01 season.
• History of FedEx Forum – FedEx Forum is located in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.  Home to both the Memphis Grizzlies and the NCAA Division I men’s basketball program of the University of Memphis.  Built at a cost of $250 million of public bonds and is owned by the City of Memphis.  Naming rights were purchased by FedEx at a. cost of $92 million.

Miami Heat

• Team Name – Miami Heat
• Arena Name – FTX Arena
• Arena Capacity – 19,600
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Miami, Florida
• History of the Miami Heat – the Miami Heat are part of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division.  Began in 1988-89 as an expansion team, the Heat would find success in the 1990’s under former head coach Pat Riley.
• History of the FTX Arena – formerly known as the American Airlines Arena, the arena is located in Miami, Florida along the Biscayne Bay.  Construction began in 1998 and replaced the Miami Arena.  FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, acquired the naming rights to the arena in 2020 for $135 million.

Milwaukee Bucks

• Team Name – Milwaukee Bucks
• Arena Name – Fiserv Forum
• Arena Capacity – 17,500
• Arena Opening – 2018
• Team Location – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• History of the Milwaukee Bucks – the Milwaukee Bucks play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Central Division.  Founded in 1968 as an expansion team, the Bucks were named for the official state wild animal, which are known to be good spirited, good jumpers, fast and agile.
• History of Fiserv Forum – Fiserv Forum opened on August 26, 2018, and is located in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Named for Fiserv, a financial services technology company, which purchased the naming rights for 25-years.

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Team Name – Minnesota Timberwolves
• Arena Name – Target Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,978
• Arena Opening – 1990
• Team Location – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• History of the Minnesota Timberwolves – the Minnesota Timberwolves are part of the NBA’s Western Conference Northwest Division.  Founded in 1989 and owned by Glen Taylor who also owns the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, the Timberwolves have. Played their home games at Target Center since 1990.
• History of the Target Center – the Target Center is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  It hosts both the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.  The naming rights are renewed every five years.

New Orleans Pelicans

• Team Name – New Orleans Pelicans
• Arena Name – Smoothie King Center
• Arena Capacity – 16,867
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – New Orleans, Louisiana
• History of the New Orleans Pelicans – the New Orleans Pelicans play in the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division.  Established as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002-03 season after being relocated from Charlotte.  Due to damages suffered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the team temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City.  In 2013, the franchise announced they would rename themselves as the Pelicans.
• History of Smoothie King Center – Smoothie King Center is located in New Orleans Central Business District and opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena.  Completed at a cost of $114 million, a 10-year agreement was reached to rename the arena in 2014.

New York Knicks

• Team Name – New York Knicks
• Arena Name – Madison Square Garden (MSG)
• Arena Capacity – 19,812
• Arena Opening – 1968
• Team Location – New York City, New York
• History of the New York Knicks – officially named the New York Knickerbockers, the Knicks play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.  One of two New York City team’s, they are located in the original city in which they were founded.  Established in 1946, the Knicks are one of the most storied NBA franchises.
• History of Madison Square Garden – Madison Square Garden, better known as MSG or The Garden, is located in Midtown Manhattan and is situated atop Pennsylvania Station.  Close to other famous landmarks in New York City, MSG hosts the Knicks, and the NHL’s New York Rangers.

Oklahoma City Thunder

• Team Name – Oklahoma City Thunder
• Arena Name – Paycom Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,203
• Arena Opening – 2002
• Team Location – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• History of the Oklahoma City Thunder – the Oklahoma City Thunder play in the NBA’s Western Conference Northwest Division.  The only major sports team based in Oklahoma, the team was originally established as the Seattle Supersonics in the 1967-68 NBA season.  The team would relocate in 2008.
• History of Paycom Center – Paycom Center is in Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and was formerly known as the Ford Center, the Oklahoma City Arena, and the Chesapeake Energy Arena.  In 2021, Paycom announced naming rights of the arena for a 15-year period.

Orlando Magic

• Team Name- Orlando Magic
• Arena Name – Amway Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,846
• Arena Opening – 2010
• Team Location – Orlando, Florida
• History of the Orlando Magic – the Orlando Magic are part of the NBA’s eastern Conference Southeast. Division.  Established in 1989 and one of two NBA teams located in Florida.  The magic name is an ode to nearby Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom.
• History of Amway Center – Amway Center is located in Downtown Orlando and is home to. The Orlando Magic, the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, and the Orlando Predators of the National Arena League.

Philadelphia 76ers

• Team Name – Philadelphia 76ers
• Arena Name – Wells Fargo Center
• Arena Capacity – 20,478
• Arena Opening – 1996
• Team Location – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• History of the Philadelphia 76ers – the Philadelphia 76ers play for the NBA’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.  Founded in 1946, the team was originally known as the Syracuse Nationals.  The 76ers are one of the oldest NBA franchises and have a variety of famous players on their alumni roster.  After starting in Syracuse, the team would relocate to Philadelphia in the 1964-65 season.
• History of the Wells Fargo Center – the Wells Fargo Center is located in Philadelphia and is home to the 76ers, the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.  The arena is located in the southwest corner of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex and also includes the Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and Xfinity Live!.

Phoenix Suns

• Team Name – Phoenix Suns
• Arena Name – Footprint Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,055
• Arena Opening – 1992
• Team Location – Phoenix, Arizona
• History of the Phoenix Suns – the Phoenix Suns play in the NBA’s Western Conference Pacific Division.  The only team in the Pacific Division not located in California, the Suns began as an expansion team in 1968 and currently have the seventh best all-time winning percentage and also have 10 Hall of Famers who played for them.
• History of Footprint Center –  Footprint Center is located in Phoenix, Arizona and is a sports and entertainment complex.  Opened in 1992, at a cost of $89 million, the arena is home to the Phoenix Suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury.

Portland Trail Blazers

• Team Name – Portland Trail Blazers
• Arena Name – Moda Center
• Arena Capacity – 19,441
• Arena Opening – 1995
• Team Location – Portland, Oregon
• History of the Portland Trail Blazers – known as the Blazers, they play within the NBA’s Western Conference Northwest Division.  Established in 1970, the team has a loyal following and from 1977 through 1995, the team sold out 814 consecutive games.
• History of the Moda Center – the Moda Center is an indoor sports arena in Portland, Oregon.  Owned by Vulcan Inc., a holding company by the estate of Paul Allen, the primary tenant is the Portland Trail Blazers, who are also owned by the Allen estate.  The arena cost $262 million to build and came from the City of Portland, Allen’s. personal wealth, and $155 million in bonds.  The name Moda comes from Moda Health, an Oregon-based health insurance provider and is signed for a 10-year deal.

Sacramento Kings

• Team Name – Sacramento Kings
• Arena Name – Golden 1 Center
• Arena Capacity – 17,583
• Arena Opening – 2016
• Team Location – Sacramento, California
• History of the Sacramento Kings – the Sacramento Kings play in the NBA’s Western Conference Pacific Division.  The only major league team located in Sacramento, the team began in Rochester, New York as the Rochester Seagrams.  Joining the NBA in 1948, they renamed to the Rochester Royals.  They relocated in 1957 to Cincinnati and in 1972 to Kansas City, Missouri, and lastly to Sacramento after the 1984-85 NBA season.
• History of the Golden 1 Center – the Golden 1 Center is located in downtown Sacramento.  It is a publicly owned arena and is part of the entertainment district called Downtown Commons (DoCo).  In 2015, Sacramento-base Golden 1 Credit Union acquired naming rights for the arena for $120 million over 20-years.

San Antonio Spurs

• Team Name – San Antonio Spurs
• Arena Name – AT&T Center
• Arena Capacity – 18,418
• Arena Opening – 2002
• Team Location – San Antonio, Texas
• History of the San Antonio Spurs – the San Antonio Spurs play in the NBA’s Western Conference Southwest Division.  The Spurs are one of four former ABA teams to remain intact.  The Spurs are one of the most successful sports franchises in North America.
• History of AT&T Center – the AT&T Center is located on the east side of San Antonio, Texas.  It was opened in 2002 at a cost of $175 million.  Originally known as SBC Center, through a name change, the arena began to be known as AT&T Center and naming rights were purchased for $41 million through 20-years.

Toronto Raptors

• Team Name – Toronto Raptors
• Arena Name – Scotiabank Arena
• Arena Capacity – 19,800
• Arena Opening – 1999
• Team Location – Toronto, Ontario
• History of the Toronto Raptors – the Toronto Raptors are the only Canadian professional basketball team in the NBA.  They play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division.  Founded in 1995 as part of the NBA’s expansion into Canada, the team has been relatively successful since acquiring Vince Carter in 1998.
• History of the Scotiabank Arena – Scotiabank Arena is located in the South Core district of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  Home to the Raptors and the NHL’s Maple Leafs, the arena is over 665,000 square feet and owned by the Maple Leaf Sports &. Entertainment Ltd. Company.  It is the busiest arena in Canada and the 13^th busiest arena in the world.  It also happens to be the most photographed location in Canada.

Utah Jazz

• Team Name – Utah Jazz
• Arena Name – Vivint Arena
• Arena Capacity – 18,306
• Arena Opening – 1991
• Team Location – Salt Lake City, Utah
• History of the Utah Jazz – the Utah Jazz play. In the NBA’s. Western Conference Northwest Division.  Established in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, the team would move to Salt Lake City in 1979. 
• History of Vivint Center – Vivint Center is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Home to the NBA’s Jazz, the arena opened in 1991 as the Delta Center, which has a hub in Salt Lake City International Airport.  In October of 2015 the arena was renamed to Vivint Arena with a 10-year naming rights contract.

Washington Wizards

• Team Name – Washington Wizards
• Arena Name – Capital One Arena
• Arena Capacity – 20,356
• Arena Opening – 1997
• Team Location – Washington, D.C.
• History of the Washington Wizards – the Washington Wizards play in the NBA’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division.  Established in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, they were renamed to the Chicago Zephyrs the following season.  In 1963, the team relocated to Baltimore, Maryland and took the name the Baltimore Bullets.  In 1973, the team renamed to the Capital Bullets as they moved to the Washington metropolitan area and then to the Washington Bullets and in 1997, they landed on the Washington Wizards.
• History of the Capital One Arena – the Capital One Arena is an indoor arena in Washington, D.C. and is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood.  The arena is situated atop the Gallery Place rapid transit station.  The arena is believed to be the catalyst for the areas growth and was mostly privately funded at a cost of $200 million.  In 2017, the naming rights to the arena were awarded to Capital One.