Whether it’s the action of an NBA basketball game, or the excitement of a live concert or world-class event, more than one million guests each year create memories at Ford Center.
Ford Center is conveniently located just off Interstate 40 in downtown Oklahoma City, which recently ranked No. 3 in Business Week’s forty strongest U.S.metro economies. The facility is owned by the City of Oklahoma City, and managed by SMG, the world leader in venue management, marketing and development.
Major improvements are currently underway at Ford Center. The $100 million expansion and renovation project is being funded by a 15-month sales tax that was overwhelmingly approved by Oklahoma City voters. Designed to elevate the experience of our audiences and increase the revenue generating potential of our clients, the final phase of improvements will be completed following the 2010-11 Thunder basketball season.
After breaking ground in the Spring of 1999, construction began on the new downtown arena funded by MAPS, Oklahoma City’s visionary capital improvement program to finance new and upgraded sports, entertainment, cultural and convention facilities with a one-cent sales tax. The 581,000-square-foot facility was designed to meet National Hockey League requirements. The state-of-the art venue was completed at a cost of $89.2 million and opened its doors on June 8, 2002. The Grand Opening Celebration included a dedication ceremony led by former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys, as well as a special "Open House" event for the entire community.
Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly approved a one-cent sales tax on March 4, 2008 to fund major upgrades to the Ford Center and build an off-site practice facility for an NBA franchise. The 15-month tax took effect on January 1, 2009 and will expire March 31, 2010. Plans include a new grand entrance, multistory atrium, new restaurants, clubs, concession areas, bunker suites, loge boxes, locker rooms, team offices and a family fun zone.
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Ford Center is owned by the City of Oklahoma City and managed by SMG, which since 1977 has provided management services to over 200 public assembly facilities including arenas, stadiums, theatres and performing arts centers, and convention, congress and exhibition centers. With facilities across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, SMG manages more than 11 million square feet (1.1 million square meters) of exhibition space. As the recognized global industry leader, SMG provides construction and design consulting, pre-opening services, venue management, sales, marketing, event booking, and programming. SMG also offers food and beverage operations through an in house catering company, Savor…Catering by SMG, currently servicing 65 accounts worldwide. In Oklahoma City, SMG not only manages Ford Center, but the neighborhing Cox Convention Center.
Since opening its doors, Ford Center has hosted approximately 650 events and 7 million fans. Home to the Oklahoma City Thunder (beginning with the 2008-09 NBA season), Ford Center has also served as home to the Oklahoma City Blazers (Central Hockey League), Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz (arenafootball2), and the New Orleans Hornets during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 NBA Seasons. The SMG-managed facility also plays host to major concerts, sporting events, family shows and world-class entertainment.
Ford Center has hosted numerous sold-out events, including concert performances by Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Cher, the Dixie Chicks, Eric Clapton, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Tool and more. Additionally, performances by Paul McCartney, Elton John and Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac and the Eagles, are among the top grossing shows to play Ford Center. Not surprisingly, Ford Center made Pollstar’s list of Top Ten Concert Venues for ticket sales in North America during its first year of operation. Recently ranking 25th nationally in total concert ticket sales for the first quarter of 2009, Ford Center continues to rank among the world's top venues.
Major sporting events have included both NHL and NBA preseason games, as well as the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship Midwest Regional First and Second Rounds in 2003 and 2005, and the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Wrestling Championships in 2006. The Ford Center and neighboring Cox Convention Center also hosted Oklahoma City’s first Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships in 2007 and 2009. Ford Center has also enjoyed the privilege of hosting the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional. In 2010, the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball First and Second Round is returning to Ford Center.
A number of the other major events hosted by Ford Center have also been televised nationally and/or internationally, including the All-College Basketball Classic, WWE SmackDown! and WWE RAW, the Mission Oklahoma City with Billy Graham Crusade, the And 1 Mix Tape Tour, the McDonald's All-American High School Basketball Game and several PBR and IPRA events including Bullnanza, the International Finals Rodeo and the PBR $1,000,000 Challenger Tour Championships.
Family shows and other special events have alsohad a significant presence in the Ford Center’s schedule. In fact, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey was the first event to play the Ford Center in June of 2002. The Greatest Show on Earth then returned for a series of June performances in 2004, 2006 and 2008. But, it was not the only "circus" to make repeat appearances. Cirque du Soleil presented DELIRIUM in both 2006 and 2007, and introduced Saltimbanco in 2008. The Harlem Globetrotters, Monster Jam, Sesame Street Live, Lipizzaner Stallions and The Wiggles have also made multiple appearances on the Ford Center calendar, as have holiday performances by Mannheim Steamroller, Bill Gaither and Friends, and the increasingly popular Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In 2008, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular made it's Oklahoma City debut during the shows first ever arena tour.
For the latest on upcoming events, please visit our Events Calendar,
