OKC Paycom Center ranked among Top 50 arenas in the world

https://okcfox.com/news/entertainment/okc-paycom-center-top-50-arenas-in-the-world-pollstar-2022-year-end-top-arena-list-nba-united-states-ranking-record-breaking-luke-combs-concert-thunder-basketball-venue-elton-john-trans-siberian-orchestra-entertainment-oklahoma-december-20-2022

Looks like it is based on ticket sales and not quality of arena

(which I say without any judgment; I just assumed it was the latter when it was the former but I think either is potentially interesting although I don't personally know about Arena Culture to say whether this means anything or not)

OKC Paycom Center ranked among Top 50 arenas in the world

https://okcfox.com/news/entertainment/okc-paycom-center-top-50-arenas-in-the-world-pollstar-2022-year-end-top-arena-list-nba-united-states-ranking-record-breaking-luke-combs-concert-thunder-basketball-venue-elton-john-trans-siberian-orchestra-entertainment-oklahoma-december-20-2022

Is there a link showing the top 100?

Is there a link showing the top 100?

17797

17797

I wonder what it would take to turn into a Gainbridge Fieldhouse levels of revenue. Seems as they have about double the ticket sales. I wonder if approaching 50 concerts a year get us close. Great chart!

Also in the top 50 (#42) for the 2023 concert market in general, based on 2022 gross sales.

2023 Pollstar Concert Market Rankings (https://data.pollstar.com/Chart/2022/12/121922_cmr.chart_1030.pdf)

I'm sure the Thunder has something to do with the ticket counts. That's about 3 times that of the BOK.

Cool to see it's in the top 50 arenas in tickets....that's pretty stinking cool. If we had an NHL team or lured back the Big 12 (or maybe the SEC) BBall tourneys, that could knock it up a few spots too.

I'm sure the Thunder has something to do with the ticket counts. That's about 3 times that of the BOK.

Pollstar is a concert industry publication.

For the 2021/2022 Thunder gate receipts were a little less than twice what is shown on the Pollstar chart ($45MM v. $27MM) , so they're not included.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/381571/gate-receipts-of-the-oklahoma-city-thunder-national-basketball-association/

Nice to see Tulsa in at 80 on the list.

Doesn't the BOK usually have quite a bit more than OKC, in terms of non-NBA tickets sold?

from the list I'd say no.

Interestingly, it appears the list doesn't include NBA games (for OKC). 41 NBA games X 18000 = 738,000 tickets where OKC had been full sellouts; whereas they list OKC tickets at about half that at 348,771. I'd love to learn of their criteria, they mined their data Nov to Nov 2021-22 but you'd still expect higher counts due to the NBA.

from the list I'd say no.

Interestingly, it appears the list doesn't include NBA games (for OKC). 41 NBA games X 18000 = 738,000 tickets where OKC had been full sellouts; whereas they list OKC tickets at about half that at 348,771. I'd love to learn of their criteria, they mined their data Nov to Nov 2021-22 but you'd still expect higher counts due to the NBA.

Pollstar is not including sporting events. It's a concert industry publication, so they don't track that.

As you pointed out, Paycom's totals on the list would be much higher for the arena if they did, especially considering that the thunder is not the only non-concert gate receipts for the arena.

This chart is definitely not a "tickets sold for all events at Paycom Center" list.

The average home attendance for the Thunder for 2021-22 season was 14, 877. While including those numbers would be interesting keep in mind there are other arenas whose numbers do not include hosting NBA and NHL teams.
I hope the concert numbers continue to be robust and this is the new norm.

Doesn't the BOK usually have quite a bit more than OKC, in terms of non-NBA tickets sold?

BOK was ranked in the Top 50 from 2015-19 so either total concerts are less now or other arenas have stepped up, including Paycom. Possibly a combination of both.

I seem to remember something bout SMG bringing in a new GM when the contract was renewed a few years ago with a focus on concerts. I think they even did some acoustic treatments around that time. Of course, the pandemic wiped out the industry for a couple years.

2019 Is interesting. It's ranked by ticket sales instead of gross $$. A few more tickets were sold at BOK, but Chesapeake grossed about $3MM more:

https://data.pollstar.com/chart/2019/12/Top200Arenas_797.pdf

^^^^^^^
The most recent iteration of the ASM (previously known as SMG) agreement has performance stipulations that require a minimum number of top 50 acts annually as ranked by Pollstar.

Contrary to popular speculation, this addition was actually driven in large part by the Thunder, who want MORE concerts at Paycom rather than fewer. Preferred booking status for non-Thunder events is a perk for suite and premium seat holders.

https://twitter.com/hpeteokc/status/1631125842771230720?s=46&t=CMzRcccl0feIrDR-ZNmLbQ New scoreboard rendering (possibly)

In this PDF from Populous, it seems you can see the plan for the Loud City Signature Bar along with the confirmed scoreboard plans. Looks like everything should be complete by September. Not sure if this has been posted in here yet.

https://okc.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/431335.pdf?name=M4-VA021%20Phase%202A%20Scoreboard%20Replacement%20Fi nal%20Plans%20Presentation (https://okc.primegov.com/meeting/attachment/431335.pdf?name=M4-VA021%20Phase%202A%20Scoreboard%20Replacement%20Fi nal%20Plans%20Presentation)

^

Thanks for that. Here are some images:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scoreboard053023a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scoreboard053023b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scoreboard053023c.jpg

Long overdue. Excited for this!

Think they'll hold on to the old one for the Fairgrounds? No reason to save it for the Myriad anymore.

In this PDF from Populous, it seems you can see the plan for the Loud City Signature Bar

i believe the loud city bar has been removed from the planned upgrades

for sure the loud city opening has been removed


Item No. 4, Upper-Level Fixed Seats, $8,767:
The construction contract excluded 44 seats in Section 301 for a proposed Loud City pedestrian
opening to be completed under a separate contract. The opening has now been removed from the
Paycom Center upgrades, and 44 new seats must be added to complete the seating replacement in
that section. This item pays for the labor and material to provide 44 seats in Section 301.

If they build the new arena on the Cox site will they eventually demolish the current paycom arena or will we just be the city of twin arenas?

If they build the new arena on the Cox site will they eventually demolish the current paycom arena or will we just be the city of twin arenas?

They will almost certainly continue to operate both arenas for the foreseeable future, as they did with both the Cox and Paycom.

It would be a nice workaround for scheduling conflicts for concerts and there are some conventions that require an arena (like the FFA).

Paycom Center: Home arena of the Oklahoma City Coyotes. /s

Paycom Center: Home arena of the Oklahoma City Coyotes. /s

i mean... may not be as sarcastic as you think....

Surprising but also not surprising. Casual instagram comments not realizing that the Thunder are on the come up and could be really good soon.

^ ^ ^ Phoenix MSA has the population to support the NHL Coyotes--larger than our whole state population.

Tulsa (BOK Center, 17,099) and Oklahoma City's Paycom Center (15,152) will be evaluated if a move is considered along with other markets like Austin, Louisville and Norfolk-Virginia Beach.

Oklahoma will be evaluated for the future home of an NHL expansion or relocation franchise--doesn't mean we will land a franchise. Oklahoma City has a new arena on the horizon; also our current Paycom Center could become a temporary home. Same could be said for Tulsa's BOK Center with the Coyotes becoming the anchor tenant.

Former Mayor Mick Cornett was right about Oklahoma City-Tulsa TV market as being one which now boasts 1.3 million household viewers.

If Phoenix fails to act, no doubt Oklahoma's two metros which support NBA could support NHL as well--will be considered.

Tulsa area will show signs of more metro growth come 2026 pending some large developments, that could loom big if the NHL Coyotes arena situation isn't settled by then.

Having two large arenas right next to each other like that provides a barrier in downtown, and inhibits development and walkability. Long had we hope that the old Cox center be demolished, and that site redeveloped.

Hopefully they don't keep the Paycom center operating for that long.

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

Why on God's green earth would anyone think of something like this? This may be the least effective solution I've seen.

Why on God's green earth would anyone think of something like this? This may be the least effective solution I've seen.

Saves time and money, the current location is perfect. And its not uncommon for professional teams to play at other arenas while new ones get built. Tulsa would welcome the Thunder and would have sell out crowds.

Saves time and money, the current location is perfect. And its not uncommon for professional teams to play at other arenas while new ones get built. Tulsa would welcome the Thunder and would have sell out crowds.

Yeah, and OKC loses out on hundreds of millions in revenue. So I don't think they would do that. Just not fiscally responsible. And OKC doesn't own the hotel land.

OKC doesn't own the Thunder. Thunder owners and management will decide what it best for the franchise. They won't lose any money. And surrounding businesses don't make hundreds of millions of dollars a season because of the Thunder. Maybe a few million extra a season. And Tulsa billionaire George Kaiser (chairman of BOK) is part owner of the Thunder, so there ya go.

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

This is... not a good idea.

Paycom Center: Home arena of the Oklahoma City Coyotes. /s

Man I'd love to see it.

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

Tulsa!? Ewwww!

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

Lol. I am sure the season ticket holders since the inaugural season and all of the other downtown businesses would be totally cool with this decision. Haha.

I say demolish the current Paycom center and Marriot hotel on that site and rebuild a brand new arena. Thunder contracts with city of Tulsa and play at the BOK Center for 2 seasons while new arena in Oklahoma City is constructed.

Yes, because we want to make sure and preserve a low/no paying tenant in the Cox Center. LOL. Let's keep the older cheaper one and tear down the newer nicer one. Makes perfect sense.
This is a made up solution only Tulsans can dream of. Never would happen.

Do we know what the specs are for the new scoreboard? Just curious how it compares in size / resolution to the current one,

Hopefully, the stat board will show more than points and fouls.

This is a really stupid question, but here we go: Let's say someone has had the same tickets for five years in the current arena in section 101, Row J, seats 1 & 2. When the new arena is built, how would the process of selling tickets work? Would they work with the current season ticket holders to get them close to where they were, would it start all over again? I am sure there is an example out there, I am just to lazy to find it.

This is a really stupid question, but here we go: Let's say someone has had the same tickets for five years in the current arena in section 101, Row J, seats 1 & 2. When the new arena is built, how would the process of selling tickets work? Would they work with the current season ticket holders to get them close to where they were, would it start all over again? I am sure there is an example out there, I am just to lazy to find it.

I don't have any specific information on how they would do it, but I imagine they will do everything they can to keep long term season ticket holders happy. I seriously doubt it would start over. I'm guessing they would at least base it on the current priority systems they use each year for season ticket holders looking to upgrade.

I don't have any specific information on how they would do it, but I imagine they will do everything they can to keep long term season ticket holders happy. I seriously doubt it would start over. I'm guessing they would at least base it on the current priority systems they use each year for season ticket holders looking to upgrade.

Yeah, I image season ticket holders would get to choose new seats first in a new arena.

Yeah, I image season ticket holders would get to choose new seats first in a new arena.

usually the way this is done, yet. it typically goes based upon how long you have been a season ticket holder, or if they do accrued points for priority, or something like that. having never been a Thunder Season ticket holder, i dont' know how they do it, but i have seen it done both ways with other professional sports franchises to determine their tenure order. Hopefully we won't fall into the PSL method of doing things, because that is just awful for fans.

IMO, Keep both the Paycom Center and the new Oklahoma City Thunderdome development.

Make the new arena multipurpose for NBA-NHL/AHL. Transition Paycom for more toward concerts, large gatherings for
the new convention center complex and indoor large rodeo events.

The only downside to that is that we'd probably still have all the "superblocks". Granted, if a new arena goes on the Cox site, it could be done is such a way to make it less of a barrier and more pedestrian friendly, even for downtown visitors that aren't going to a game. But, like all of this right now, it's kind of hard to have an opinion because we'd don't really know what kind of arena development we're talking about.

The Paycom isn't going anywhere after the new arena is built. The Myriad block is going to allow for a new arena and a lot of other development (leaving room for expansions like the Paycom had done over the years....and every other arena in the country).

Demoing one is a massive cost to the city as we lose the benefit of having plots of land in the core of downtown, ready to absorb any new arena construction for all time. While it's there, we have the benefit of having a 1st and 2nd arena to work TOGETHER and not against each other. We can host the Big 12 Basketball Men's AND Women's tournaments next door to each other in top class conditions for BOTH groups. Graduation season means we have the ability to host multiples at the same time. If we have a second tier of a sport come in like not the NHL, then the Paycom is where they will play to save money. Concerts/Events that want the space but the lower cost can go to the Paycom and not feel like second class citizens like they did at the Myriad.

The list of benefits goes on and on, but that ability to not have to go scope and purchase land for the next area (which will never end) is monumental. There's no barrier today and there won't be a barrier tomorrow. That grid on the Myriad's land isn't being restored and we're not missing anything by not having it, nor do we gain much getting it back (there's no demand for it either).

To have a new arena on the Ford site and keep Paycom and Cox would be horrible superblocks. No one wants that.

To have a new arena on the Ford site and keep Paycom and Cox would be horrible superblocks. No one wants that.

No one is saying having 3. The Cox site is going to be demo sooner rather than later. Paycom is not going anywhere for 20-30 years period. New Arena will go on the Cox site (Ford site isn't even an option for this as that will become a completely different development) and just because you have an arena doesn't make it a super block. and to think that Bricktown/downtown businesses only make a few million per season bc of the Thunder FAR UNDERESTIMATES the impact the NBA has in the area. Hotels, restaurants, retail, parking, Will Rogers airport flights all significantly improve based on the Thunder home games.

After I posted about Paycom staying put after the new arena opens, I talked to a couple of people in the know and it sounds like there are multiple developers competing to redevelop the Paycom site.

So, the new arena will likely be constructed on the Cox site (along with associated entertainment uses), Paycome will be razed and redeveloped and I imagine the old Fred Jones Ford site will be developed about the same time.

How is that handled when it is city owned property? Sent out for RFP? Is the site itself sold off to a developer?

How is that handled when it is city owned property? Sent out for RFP? Is the site itself sold off to a developer?

There would have to be an RFP process for the Paycom site since it's owned by the City.

You guys (bombermwc and jdross1982) summed up the advantages OKC will have keeping Paycom Center
and building the new arena on the 4-square block old cox PSM site.

The Big XII conference basketball (Men & Women) can host both tournaments. We will have enough quality hotels downtown and eating places in Bricktown as well as the hotels themselves to pull off the Big XII (Baylor, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia).





.

You guys (bombermwc and jdross1982) summed up the advantages OKC will have keeping Paycom Center
and building the new arena on the 4-square block old cox PSM site.

The Big XII conference basketball (Men & Women) can host both tournaments. We will have enough quality hotels downtown and eating places in Bricktown as well as the hotels themselves to pull off the Big XII (Baylor, BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia).


.


with no OU and KC being the legacy host .. i doubt big 12 basketball ever returns to OKC

When is this new arena supposed to be constructed?

with no OU and KC being the legacy host .. i doubt big 12 basketball ever returns to OKC

Exactly. OKC will be lucky if we ever get the Big XII Baseball Tournament back here. Though I'm guessing that at least softball will probably stay.

When is this new arena supposed to be constructed?

My understanding is it should go to vote in December. Thunder signed a new lease through 2026. If it passes, I would guess it would be several years and they might have to extend the lease until the new arena is built.

Demoing one is a massive cost to the city as we lose the benefit of having plots of land in the core of downtown, ready to absorb any new arena construction for all time. While it's there, we have the benefit of having a 1st and 2nd arena to work TOGETHER and not against each other. We can host the Big 12 Basketball Men's AND Women's tournaments next door to each other in top class conditions for BOTH groups. Graduation season means we have the ability to host multiples at the same time. If we have a second tier of a sport come in like not the NHL, then the Paycom is where they will play to save money. Concerts/Events that want the space but the lower cost can go to the Paycom and not feel like second class citizens like they did at the Myriad.

These are interesting ideas, for sure, but maintaining an arena without an anchor tenant for graduations and some concerts is a massive cost as well. It will definitely feel 2nd class unless it is maintained and updated to first class standing. And if it is possible to upgrade and maintain Paycom as a first class arena, then there's no need for a new one, right?

Given the fact that they have already pulled back on some upgrades and maintenance on Paycom with eyes to a new arena, I would imagine that over that 20-30 year period it's going to feel more and more like a bigger myriad than a first class arena for graduations. Hopefully, the new arena is where the concerts go, anyway. That should be a consideration in design and I imagine the logistics will be so much better that many touring productions today would never pick a maybe slightly cheaper night at Paycom over a modern and up to date facility.

The Thunder is not a hinderance to scheduling the events you mention into the arena they play in. It's only like 45 nights max, depending on the preseason schedule. It's not even a hindrance to adding an NHL team, which I imagine would definitely not want to play in "arena B". So, the current arena basically has 320 nights without the Thunder. With another arena that would be 685 nights of two 18k arena's across the street from each other to book. I really don't think there's that much demand. We'd basically be paying to maintain a mostly dark building and whatever might get booked there is only taking events away from the building we just spent hundreds of millions of dollars to build.


The list of benefits goes on and on, but that ability to not have to go scope and purchase land for the next area (which will never end) is monumental. There's no barrier today and there won't be a barrier tomorrow. That grid on the Myriad's land isn't being restored and we're not missing anything by not having it, nor do we gain much getting it back (there's no demand for it either).

I'm sure there'd be some benefits, especially in the short term, but if the new arena is built as disposable and in such a way that it can not be upgraded and maintained at first class level in the future, necessitating a completely new arena in 20 years, then it will be very short sighted, imo.

I can understand the need for a new arena, but I can't understand the concept of spending a lot of money to maintain a 2nd 18k first class arena, or holding it together with duct tape, just as a placeholder.

Every time the subject of scheduling around the Thunder comes up, I have to remind people that the Staples Center (now Crypto.com) in L.A. hosts the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, Avengers (now defunct but operated for years) and Kings plus has scores of concerts and events. That's 2 NBA teams, 1 NHL, 1 WNBA, 1 arena football, and about 10x the events (including the Grammys for the last 20 years) Paycom hosts.

They need to figure out something to do with the small piece of land between paycom and omni. I know they cancelled the original plans because of the new arena but just some basic landscaping would make it look so much better. Right now its just weeds and storage containers.