Toyota Center

Houston Rockets

About Stadium

An indoor sports and entertainment facility located in downtown Houston, Texas, the Toyota Center is primarily the home of the National basketball Association’s Houston Rockets.

In 1995, Rockets’ owner Leslie Alexander started his push for a new stadium for his Rockets, and attempted to end his lease with The Summit 8 years early, but was unsuccessful.

The City of Houston paid the majority of the cost for the stadium which totaled $235 million, while the Rockets agreed to pay for any future renovations.

• Capacity: 18,055

• Opened: October 6, 2003

• Location: 1510 Polk Street
Houston, Texas 77002

History

• After much negotiating, construction finally began on the project on July 31, 2001 and lasted over two years with the stadium being finished in 2003 and opened on October 6, 2003.

• Due to the mishap with the negotiations between the team and the city pending the construction of the new arena, it’s said that the struggles hurt Houston’s chances of attracting an NHL expansion team in 1998.

• Toyota bought the naming rights to the facility in July of 2003 at a cost of $100 million.

• The venue has featured a long list of musical concerts and other forms of entertainment, including four Ultimate Fighting Championship features in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2015.

Past and Current Teams
Houston Rockets (NBA) (2003–present)
Houston Aeros (AHL) (2003–2013)
Houston Comets (WNBA) (2004–2007)