OKC Thunder to open new arena before 2028 season

The plan for Oklahoma City Thunder's new arena is officially underway. The project is set to absorb over $900 million in production costs, and construction will commence as soon as they choose the arena's architect.

The new venue's original deadline was June 2030, but a recent report indicates a target completion date has been determined.

New details emerge

The new arena is slated to open in time for the 2028–29 season.

"Plans have been filed to demolish the old Myriad/Cox Center/Prairie Surf Studios to make way for a new $1 billion arena. Last December, OKC voters approved a penny sales tax increase to fund the new home for the Thunder and other events. Completion of the arena is June 2028," wrote OKCTalk.com on X.

The Cox Convention Center was officially selected by the Thunder's ownership group as the location for the new arena in May. After the decision, OKC reportedly laid out seven different architecture firms. According to a report last month, the Thunder were allegedly engaged in finding an architect to complete the project.

Of the seven candidates the city can choose from, at least three firms have direct experience building some of the NBA's most celebrated arena projects, including the newly constructed Intuit Dome. The reported frontrunner to land the job may be Populous, the architecture firm responsible for maintaining the Thunder's current arena, the Paycom Center, until they enter the new arena.

Populous is active with the University of Oklahoma's athletics and has an office in Norman, Oklahoma. It is positioning itself as the most likely creator of the Thunder's nearly billion-dollar future arena. An architect is expected to be chosen before the 2024–25 NBA season starts.

Related: ESPN’s Kevin Pelton is ready to put his trust in OKC next season