Upcoming games
Schedule data syncs from our events feed. Ticket links go to SeatGeek.
No upcoming games currently listed for Paycom Center.
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Paycom Center fills early.
Getting there
Paycom Center sits in downtown Oklahoma City at Reno Avenue and Robinson, immediately adjacent to the Cox Convention Center and a short walk from the Bricktown entertainment district. There is no commuter rail in Oklahoma City, but the OKC Streetcar runs a downtown loop with stops at the arena and Bricktown. Driving uses I-40 (Reno or Robinson exits) or I-235 into downtown; the arena's surrounding garages and Bricktown lots absorb most game-day demand. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Rideshare drop-off zones are signed off Reno and Robinson. Confirm bag and entry rules on the Thunder's official site before going.
The neighborhood
Paycom Center anchors the south end of downtown Oklahoma City — Bricktown, the city's restaurant-and-bar entertainment district built around a restored 1898 commercial-warehouse block and its canal, sits a short walk east across the BNSF rail line. Bricktown is the canonical OKC pre-game neighborhood, with a riverwalk-style canal, water taxis, restaurants, and the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (Triple-A) one block east. North of the arena, downtown's office towers and the Myriad Botanical Gardens anchor the immediate civic core. Scissortail Park, a large new urban park, sits immediately south of the arena and connects to the Oklahoma City Boulevard corridor. Travelers can pair a Thunder game with a walk along the Bricktown canal, a meal at one of the Bricktown restaurants, or a visit to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum a short ride north.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Bricktown immediately east of the arena houses the densest pre-game cluster. Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse (the canonical Bricktown sit-down steakhouse named for the Oklahoma-raised Yankee), Bricktown Brewery (the local craft brewery's flagship taproom), and Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill (the country-music-themed venue) anchor the Bricktown options. Cattlemen's Steakhouse in Stockyards City a short ride west is the historic Oklahoma steak destination — open since 1910. Bunker Club in the Plaza District is the local craft-cocktail standby a short ride north. Empire Slice House is the destination pizza spot in the Plaza. For BBQ, Iron Star Urban Barbeque on Western Avenue is the city's contemporary BBQ standby. Pre-game crowds at Bricktown restaurants build quickly within an hour of tipoff.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive 60–90 minutes before tipoff — downtown traffic flows in via I-40 and surface-street ingress points can stack up on weekend games, especially with the Thunder back in playoff contention. The arena underwent multiple renovation phases in the late 2010s that modernized concourses, added new clubs, and rebuilt the main entry. The Thunder's game-night production is loud — Oklahoma City fans consistently rank among the league's loudest road environments for visitors. Mobile-only tickets and cash-free concessions are the modern norm; download tickets in advance. The Thunder publish current bag policy and door-open times on their official site — these change season to season, so check before traveling. Voters approved a successor arena downtown in late 2023; Paycom Center will remain the Thunder's home through the end of the decade at minimum.
Best games to catch
Thunder–Mavericks has emerged as the strongest Western Conference rivalry post-Luka, with playoff history layered over the in-region matchup. Thunder–Nuggets, Thunder–Timberwolves, and Thunder–Warriors round out the Western Conference draws. Visits from the Lakers and Celtics typically peak demand. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team to a championship-contender Western Conference identity, Thunder home games against fellow contenders (Nuggets, Timberwolves, Warriors) consistently sell as the hardest tickets. The Thunder's promotional calendar — fan giveaways, themed City Edition jersey nights, Native Heritage Night — is published on the team site and varies year to year. Playoff games at Paycom Center are consistently among the loudest postseason atmospheres in the NBA.
What to know
The arena opened in June 2002 as the Ford Center, was renamed the Oklahoma City Arena briefly in 2010 during a sponsorship gap, became the Chesapeake Energy Arena in 2011, and was renamed Paycom Center in 2021 after a naming-rights deal with the Oklahoma City-based payroll-software company. The building was originally built without a major-league tenant — Oklahoma City acquired the temporary Hornets (displaced by Hurricane Katrina) for the 2005–2007 seasons, then secured the Seattle SuperSonics' relocation in 2008 to become the Thunder. The Thunder reached the NBA Finals in 2012 and have been a perennial Western Conference fixture in the years since, with the current Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led core arguably the strongest in franchise history. Oklahoma City voters approved a successor downtown arena in December 2023, funded by an extension of the MAPS sales-tax program — construction is expected to deliver a new arena before the end of the decade, with Paycom Center remaining the Thunder's home in the meantime.
Frequently asked questions
What time do doors open at Paycom Center?
Doors typically open about 90 minutes before tipoff for Thunder games, sometimes earlier for premium-ticket holders or special events. Check the arena's official event page for the specific game's door time.
How do I get to Paycom Center without a car?
The OKC Streetcar runs a downtown loop with stops at the arena and Bricktown. From most downtown hotels, the arena is within easy walking distance. There is no commuter rail in Oklahoma City.
Where can I park near Paycom Center?
The arena's surrounding downtown garages and Bricktown lots absorb most game-day demand. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Confirm current rates and availability before driving in.
Is Paycom Center the same as Chesapeake Energy Arena?
Yes — the arena was renamed Paycom Center in 2021 after Paycom acquired naming rights from Chesapeake Energy. It is the same downtown OKC arena home to the Thunder; previous names include Ford Center, Oklahoma City Arena, and Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Is OKC getting a new arena?
Yes — Oklahoma City voters approved a successor downtown arena in December 2023, funded by an extension of the MAPS sales-tax program. Construction is expected to deliver the new building before the end of the decade. Paycom Center remains the Thunder's home in the meantime.
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