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— CH. 1 · ORIGINS AND CONSTRUCTION —

Delta Center

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
6 sections

  • Ground broke on the 22nd of May 1990 for a project that would cost ninety-three million dollars. Utah businessman Larry H. Miller led the private financing effort to replace the demolished Salt Palace arena. The new venue opened its doors on the 4th of October 1991 just in time for late-October basketball games. It was designed as a twenty-thousand-seat home for both the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. The first game played inside the building occurred on the 16th of October 1991 when the Golden Eagles faced the Peoria Rivermen. That home team lost the match four goals to two.

  • Delta Air Lines acquired naming rights shortly after the opening to create the Delta Center name. In 2006 Delta declined to renew their agreement following a corporate bankruptcy filing. A new deal emerged with EnergySolutions on the 20th of November 2006 before a home game against the Toronto Raptors. Two stickers covered the old court logos until official replacements arrived in December of that year. Fan reactions turned negative quickly leading to nicknames like "the Chernobowl" or "the Fallout Shelter." Team owner Larry H. Miller defended the hazardous waste disposal company partnership as a financial winner. On the 15th of April 2010 the basketball court received his name over a year after his death. Vivint secured ten-year naming rights starting the 26th of October 2015 from Lehi. Delta returned as sponsor on the 14th of January 2023 under a ten-year deal effective July 1.

  • The venue hosted figure skating and short track speed skating during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Officials renamed it Salt Lake Ice Center for the duration of those Games due to sponsorship rules. The arena also held the 1999 U.S. Figure Skating Championships prior to the Olympic event. Future plans expect the facility to host ice hockey during the 2034 Winter Olympics. This dual-purpose capability highlights its adaptability beyond standard professional sports schedules. The structure has served as a critical hub for international winter competition twice already.

  • A roof damaged by severe winds associated with the Salt Lake City Tornado of the 11th of August 1999 required repairs costing three point seven five seven million dollars. Plans to renovate and upgrade the arena were announced the 21st of September 2016 by the Jazz organization. Construction began at the conclusion of the 2016, 17 Utah Jazz basketball season and finished in fall 2017. That major project cost one hundred twenty-five million dollars. Ryan Smith acquired the Jazz and arena from the Miller family in December 2020. On the 18th of April 2024 Smith announced acquisition of Arizona Coyotes operations for a new Utah Mammoth team. Further renovations began in April 2025 expected to continue until October 2027. These upgrades include adding new risers to maintain proximity to the playing surface and eliminate single-goal-view seats.

  • An NBA Players Poll taken by Sports Illustrated on the 11th of February 2008 called it "the most intimidating arena in the NBA." Twenty percent of the vote came from two hundred forty current NBA players. Many commentators referred to the venue as the Decibel Center during that era. During Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals a decibel meter installed at floor level read over one hundred ten decibels. That noise level was close to the sound generated by a jet takeoff. NBC's Hannah Storm called the Delta Center one of the loudest places in sports during those same finals.

  • Oingo Boingo became the first headlining act to play the Delta Center on the 24th of October 1991. The arena held Utah's first UFC event on the 6th of August 2016 for Rodriguez versus Caceres. A pay-per-view event followed on the 20th of August 2022 featuring Usman against Edwards. Professional Bull Riders hosted an event there in 1999 and returned in 2024 for their Unleash the Beast Series tour. WWE broadcast Saturday Night's Main Event from the venue on the 1st of November 2025 via Peacock. CM Punk faced Jey Uso for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at that wrestling show. Punk won the title after the match concluded.

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Common questions

When did the Delta Center open in Salt Lake City?

The Delta Center opened its doors on the 4th of October 1991. The venue was designed as a twenty-thousand-seat home for both the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles.

Who funded the construction of the Delta Center project?

Utah businessman Larry H. Miller led the private financing effort to replace the demolished Salt Palace arena. Ground broke on the 22nd of May 1990 for a project that would cost ninety-three million dollars.

What happened to the naming rights agreement between Delta Air Lines and the Delta Center?

Delta Air Lines acquired naming rights shortly after the opening but declined to renew their agreement following a corporate bankruptcy filing in 2006. A new deal emerged with EnergySolutions on the 20th of November 2006 before a home game against the Toronto Raptors.

How loud is the Delta Center during NBA games compared to other venues?

An NBA Players Poll taken by Sports Illustrated on the 11th of February 2008 called it the most intimidating arena in the NBA. During Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals a decibel meter installed at floor level read over one hundred ten decibels.

When did the Delta Center host events during the 2002 Winter Olympics?

The venue hosted figure skating and short track speed skating during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Officials renamed it Salt Lake Ice Center for the duration of those Games due to sponsorship rules.

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All sources

46 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webEnergy Solutions Arena (formerly the Delta Center)FFKR Architecture
  2. 2webWayne Clark Peterson, P.E.ASHRAE, Utah Chapter
  3. 3webSmith Entertainment Group unveils one-of-a-kind vision for Delta Center remodel • Utah News DispatchAlixel Cabrera — 2025-04-30
  4. 4newsWill Delta Center Pack in the Fans? Ticket Sales Say YesLex Hemphill — September 29, 1991
  5. 5newsTruss Erection System Scores at Utah ArenaRichard Sandomir — Engineering News-Record vol. 226 — October 21, 1991
  6. 6newsThe Delta Center is back: Utah Jazz, airline announce long-term naming rights agreement for downtown arenaAndy Larsen — January 14, 2023
  7. 7newsEagles DisappointKurt Kragthorpe — October 17, 1991
  8. 8newsGolden Eagles Jazz up Delta CenterDick Rosetta — October 17, 1991
  9. 9newsKnicks Win to Spoil Jazz DebutSteve Luhm — October 24, 1991
  10. 10newsOrlando Ousted in OTTim Turner — June 9, 1996
  11. 11newsA Real Twister: 1 Year Later: A Whirlwind of Memories; Salt Lake City Recalls Devastating Tornado that Changed Lives ForeverJim Woolf — August 10, 2000
  12. 12newsPalace Earsplitting But Not DeafeningPatti T. Fricks — May 11, 1991
  13. 13newsDelta Center's Out, EnergySolutions Arena Is InNovember 20, 2006
  14. 14newsMarjorie Cortez: EnergySolutions Arena? It's a mouthfulMarjorie Cortez — November 21, 2006
  15. 15newsUtah Understands HoffaMike Koreen — November 21, 2006
  16. 16webSports Facilities ReportsWashington State Legislature
  17. 17newsArena's new name a winner, Miller saysMike Gorrell — November 21, 2006
  18. 18webKirilenko to face Kobe again2006-11-30
  19. 19newsSponsorship Pulls Arena Into Nuclear DebateMartin Stolz — 2006-12-11
  20. 20newsIn Utah, the Half-Life of Arena Naming RightsRichard Sandomir — November 29, 2006
  21. 21newsJazz honor late owner Miller, rename home floorNBA Media Ventures, LLC — April 15, 2010
  22. 22newsLHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah JazzBill Lea — Utah Jazz — October 26, 2015
  23. 23webLHM Sports & Entertainment Introduces Vivint Smart Home Arena for the Utah Jazz: Vivint signs multi-year naming rights agreement for downtown facilityBerkshire Hathaway — October 26, 2015
  24. 24news$125 Million Arena Transformation to BeginUtah Jazz — September 21, 2016
  25. 25webNBA approves sale of Jazz to Utah technology entrepreneurDecember 18, 2020
  26. 26webSources: Coyotes players told of relocation to UtahEmily Kaplan — 2024-04-13
  27. 27newsGary Bettman says there are plans to increase capacity at the Delta Center in Utah to 17,000Sportsnet — April 18, 2024
  28. 28webOlympic hockey at the Delta Center? Here are the venue changes for the 2034 Winter Games2024-10-09
  29. 29webThe Delta Center is teed up for major changes. Here's what could come, and when.
  30. 30webWhat's going on with the Utah Hockey Club team name and the Delta Center renovations?
  31. 31webChris Armstrong Gives Update On Utah Hockey Club Name, Delta Center Renovations
  32. 32webSmith Entertainment Group Begins Delta Center Renovations
  33. 33webSmith unveils plans for redesigned Delta Center, 450-stall parking garage outside
  34. 34webSmith Entertainment Group Unveils Next Steps on the Transformation of the Delta Center into a World-Class, Dual-Sport Venue
  35. 35magazineSi Players Nba PollFebruary 11, 2008
  36. 36reportOfficial Report of the XIX Olympic Winter GamesSalt Lake Olympic Committee
  37. 37newsSalt Lake Ice CenterOctober 31, 2001
  38. 38newsUFC Fight Night results: Yair Rodriguez scores decision win in dizzying boutBrent Brookhouse — August 7, 2016
  39. 39newsUFC 278 results highlights: Leon Edwards stuns Kamaru Usman with last-minute knockout to claim world titleShakiel Mahjouri — August 20, 2022
  40. 40newsUFC 291 results, highlights: Justin Gaethje uses brutal head kick to knock out Dustin Poirier, win BMF beltBrian Campbell — July 30, 2023
  41. 41webUFC 307: Pereira vs Rountree Jr. UFC2024-08-08
  42. 42webPBR | Professional Bull Riders
  43. 43web2000 PBR Bud Light Cup Series
  44. 44webWWE RAW returning to Salt Lake City for first time since 2020Jeff Tavss — 2023-07-07
  45. 45webThe Return Of WWE SmackDown In Salt Lake City2025-11-01
  46. 46newsElfman Makes Delta Center Roll in Rock-Concert DebutLori Butters — October 24, 1991