The Best Basketball Stadiums in the World

Doubtlessly, the best basketball stadiums are found in the United States, the home of basketball!

Are you a fan of the NBA? Do you love this exciting sport that’s so popular around the world? Then take a look at this list of the best basketball stadiums in the world!

Which are the best basketball stadiums?

Although there are some fantastic basketball stadiums across Europe and even in Asia, the truth is that the best are in the United States, the home of basketball. Take a look at some of these incredible stadiums below.

1. Barclays Center (Brooklyn Nets)

It might not be as well known as some other stadiums, but it makes the list as the most modern and technological stadium there is. You really have to admire its futuristic design, both inside and out. It opened in 2012 and is built on an old railroad network in Brooklyn, New York.

When hosting basketball games, it has a capacity of more than 17,000. It’s also used for ice hockey games (16,000 capacity) and music concerts (19,000 capacity).

2. Madison Square Garden (New York Knicks): one of the best basketball stadiums in the world

Everybody has already heard of Madison Square Garden, one of the most important sports venues on the planet. As well as being home to the New York Knicks, this stadium has also hosted boxing matches and music concerts.

MSG, which you can see in the header photo, is located in the heart of Manhattan and opened in 1968 atop Pennsylvania station. When hosting basketball games, the stadium has a capacity of almost 20,000 spectators (slightly fewer for hockey).

3. American Airlines Arena (Miami Heat)

Just one of many basketball stadiums that bear the name of a sponsor. The American Airlines Arena is in downtown Miami, next to Biscayne Bay. It opened in 1999 and has capacity for just over 19,000 spectators.

Funnily enough, the stadium is often confused with the American Airlines Center, the home of the Dallas Mavericks. When both teams played in the 2006 NBA Finals, all games were played at the American Airlines Arena. As a result, thee matches earned the nickname “the American Airlines Series”.

4. One of the best basketball stadiums in the world: United Center (Chicago Bulls)

The Chicago Bulls are one of the most famous teams in the NBA, and their stadium is also sponsored by an airline, United Airlines. It boasts the title of being the largest closed arena in the United States, with almost 1,000,000 square feet and a capacity for more than 21,000 people.

The United Center replaced the old Chicago Stadium in 1994 and is also home to the Chicago Blackhawks, the local hockey team. On one of the outer sides of the United Center, you’ll find a statue of Michael Jordan.

5. Oracle Arena (Golden State Warriors)

This stadium is located in Oakland, California, and was first built in 1966. In the 1990s, the complex was partly demolished to make it more modern and better suit the needs of the NBA. After an investment of $121 million and more than 12 months of work, the Warriors were able to return to their home for official matches in 1997.

The Oracle Arena has a capacity of almost 20,000 spectators for basketball games. The stadium has also held hockey games (the local team is the California Golden Seals) and concerts by artists such as Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Aerosmith, and U2.

6. TD Garden (Boston Celtics)

Another of the best basketball stadiums in the world, located in the North End neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. Known as The Garden, it has a capacity for 18,000 people for NBA games and slightly less for the NHL.

It opened in 1995 to replace the legendary Boston Garden. The initials TD relates to The Toronto-Dominion Bank, the team’s main investor, and sponsor.

There are of course other stadiums that didn’t quite make the list but which are worth noting: Staples Center (Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers), Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Indiana Pacers), Moda Center (Portland Trail Blazers ), Philips Arena (Atlanta Hawks), Little Caesars Arena (Detroit Pistons), FedEx Forum (Memphis Grizzlies), AT & T Center (San Antonio Spurs), and Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings).