Toyota Center
In May 1995, several Texas sports teams including the Houston Rockets proposed legislation to dedicate state tax revenue for new arenas. The bill failed in the Texas House of Representatives that same month. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced he would continue studying the possibility of constructing a new arena in downtown Houston. He stated the 20-year-old Summit arena was too outdated to be profitable. The Summit's management claimed they could renovate the building for a small part of the cost of a new arena. The Rockets began talks with the city of Houston on a possible location for an arena. They also negotiated with Houston Aeros and Summit owner Chuck Watson to release them from their contract with the Summit which ran until 2003. As negotiations continued into 1996, a panel appointed by Houston mayor Bob Lanier reported that building a new arena was essential to keep pro sports in Houston. After Watson rejected a contract buyout proposal of $30 million, the Rockets filed a legal challenge against their lease stating the need to be able to buy out of the lease. However, the city of Houston filed a counterclaim to force the Rockets to stay at the Summit saying if the Rockets did not honor their contract then they might have no incentive to honor any new agreement with the city of Houston to play in a new downtown sports arena. The validity of the lease was eventually upheld and in April 1997, Lanier announced that the Rockets and Watson would have to agree to share control of the new arena equally or lose access to it altogether. After both parties agreed to the terms, a bill that authorized increased taxes to pay for a new arena was signed into law in July by then-Governor George W. Bush.
Construction began on the 31st of July 2001 when a groundbreaking ceremony was held. A building formerly owned by Houston Lighting and Power Company was demolished to make way for the arena. Two streets were closed for the duration of the construction. Morris Architects designed the building while Hunt Construction was contracted to build the arena. At the request of Alexander, the arena was built below street level so fans would not have to walk up stairs to reach their seats. To sink the arena, $12 million was spent to excavate dirt over four months which was the largest excavation in Houston history. Concrete was poured for the foundation throughout the summer of 2002 and structural work began in October. The roof was set on in December as work continued inside with a peak workforce of 650. In September 2003, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the official opening of the arena. The total cost of construction was $235 million with the city paying $182 million and the Rockets adding $43 million for additions and enhancements. The city of Houston bought the land for the arena and an adjoining parking garage near the George R. Brown Convention Center and paid for it by selling bonds and borrowing $30 million.
The arena can seat 18,104 for a basketball game, 17,800 for ice hockey games, and 19,300 for concerts. Prices for courtside seats to a Rockets game in the new arena were raised by as much as 50% compared to prices in the team's old home while upper-deck seat prices were lowered. It has 103 luxury suites and 2,900 club seats including Sections 105, 109 Frost Bank West Club and Sections 118, 122 Frost Bank East Club. The Rockets East & West Clubs feature upscale concessions, extra wide seats, full private bar featuring premium wine and beverage selections and concierge service. The adjacent 2,500-space Toyota Tundra garage is connected to the arena by a private skybridge that can be accessed by Suite, Court-side and Club Seat holders. Additionally, the floor level features three separate private club lounges for access from court-side seat holders and floor seat concert goers. Lexus Lounge and Golden Nugget Club are on the west side of the floor level and the Bogarts Platinum Lounge is located on the east side of the floor level. All feature upscale amenities including multiple flat screen televisions, private bar, restrooms, and plush seating. The Lexus Lounge has its own pool tables and all three court-side lounges feature numerous private court-side suites. Toyota Center also features the Sterling Vineyards Red & White Wine Bistro located on the lower suites level on the south side of the arena. Levy Restaurants manages concession services at the arena offering fast food on the main concourses while also catering a VIP restaurant for Suite and Club Seat holders.
In July 2003, the arena was named Toyota Center. The logo of the company was placed on the roof of the building as well in other prominent places inside the arena. The company was given a dominant presence in commercials shown during broadcasts of games played in the arena. Toyota paid US$100 million for the naming rights. This financial agreement marked a significant branding strategy implemented upon the arena's opening. The deal ensured that the Japanese automobile manufacturer received extensive visibility throughout the facility and during media coverage of events held there. The placement of their logo on the roof made it visible from a distance while interior placements reinforced brand recognition for every attendee entering the space. This sponsorship arrangement became a model for future arena naming deals across the United States.
The arena's first event was a Fleetwood Mac concert on the 6th of October 2003. Many concerts have taken place in Toyota Center including performances by Beyoncé, Prince, Lady Gaga, Tool, Duran Duran on their Astronaut tour, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Tina Turner, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Bruno Mars, Christina Aguilera, P!nk, Andrea Bocelli, Muse, High School Musical The Concert, Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses, Coldplay, RBD, Laura Pausini, Alanis Morissette, Matchbox Twenty, Fiona Apple, Nickelback, Depeche Mode, Bon Jovi, Enrique Iglesias, Katy Perry, Drake, Travis Scott, Cher, Britney Spears, Kanye West and Jay-Z, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, One Direction, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, Carrie Underwood, Rammstein, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Melanie Martinez, Twenty One Pilots, Sabrina Carpenter, Blackpink, G-Dragon, Panic! At The Disco, Harry Styles, Enhypen, Garth Brooks with Trisha Yearwood, and many more. On the 23rd of July 2016, Hillsong UNITED performed in the arena and the performance was recorded and released as Empires. The current attendance for a concert held at the arena was set on the 20th of November 2008 when Metallica played to a sold-out crowd of 17,962 during the Death Magnetic tour.
In 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022, it played host to a UFC event. UFC 69:Shootout took place Saturday, the 7th of April 2007 with an attendance of 15,269. UFC 136:Edgar vs. Maynard III occurred Saturday, the 8th of October 2011 drawing 16,164 fans. UFC 166:Velasquez vs. dos Santos III happened Saturday, the 19th of October 2013 with 17,238 attendees. UFC 192:Cormier vs. Gustafsson was held Saturday, the 3rd of October 2015 attracting 14,622 spectators. UFC Fight Night:Bermudez vs. The Korean Zombie took place Saturday, the 4th of February 2017 with 8,119 people in attendance. UFC 247:Jones vs. Reyes occurred Saturday, the 8th of February 2020 with 17,401 fans present. UFC 262:Oliveira vs. Chandler happened Saturday, the 15th of May 2021 drawing 16,005 spectators. UFC 265:Lewis vs. Gane was held Saturday, the 7th of August 2021 with 16,604 attendees. UFC 271:Adesanya vs. Whittaker 2 took place Saturday, the 12th of February 2022 with 17,872 people watching. On the 21st of August 2010, it played host to Strikeforce: Houston. The arena has hosted a number of WWE events including No Mercy in 2005, Vengeance: Night of Champions, the 2009 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, two editions of TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2010 and 2013), Night of Champions 2015, NXT TakeOver: WarGames 2017, Survivor Series 2017, Elimination Chamber 2019, as well as various episodes of Raw and SmackDown. WWE also held their first live show in front of fans for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with the 16th of July 2021 episode of SmackDown at Toyota Center. On the 30th of December 2024, the arena hosted the final episode of Raw on the USA Network.
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Common questions
When was the Toyota Center officially opened?
The Toyota Center held its official opening ribbon-cutting ceremony in September 2003. The arena began construction on the 31st of July 2001 and received its name from Toyota in July 2003.
Who paid for the construction of the Toyota Center?
The city of Houston paid $182 million toward the total construction cost while the Rockets added $43 million for additions and enhancements. The total cost of construction reached $235 million with the city funding land acquisition through bonds and borrowing $30 million.
What is the seating capacity of the Toyota Center for basketball games?
The Toyota Center can seat 18,104 spectators for a basketball game. It holds 17,800 people for ice hockey games and 19,300 attendees for concerts.
How much did Toyota pay for the naming rights to the Toyota Center?
Toyota paid US$100 million for the naming rights to the arena. This financial agreement placed the company logo on the roof and ensured extensive visibility throughout the facility during media coverage.
When was the first concert held at the Toyota Center?
The first event at the Toyota Center was a Fleetwood Mac concert on the 6th of October 2003. Metallica set the current attendance record for a concert on the 20th of November 2008 with a sold-out crowd of 17,962.