New Oklahoma City Thunder arena to feature 360-degree glass curtain wall
The new home of current NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, featuring a 360-degree glass curtain wall, recently broke ground. The project team is targeting a 2028 opening for the Continental Coliseum. It will replace the Thunder’s current home, Paycom Center, which will be 26 years old in 2028. The new $900 million arena will be at least 750,000 sf.
The exterior curtain wall will provide panoramic views from all interior concourses, emphasizing transparency and connection. The west-facing main entrance, aligned with the adjacent Myriad Botanical Gardens and reflecting Oklahoma sunsets, will feature Thunder Alley—a vibrant fan activation zone at street level designed within the building’s footprint.
An elevated main entrance, situated on a grand podium, will create an inspiring sense of arrival and opens to the main concourse, fostering a welcoming atmosphere. The interior concept prioritizes basketball, with optimized sight lines and a seating design that fosters an energetic, loud, and intimate experience.
Continental Coliseum is being built on the site of a former arena and convention center that stood from 1972 to 2026. The venue will serve as a catalyst for the city’s ongoing economic and cultural renaissance, city leaders said. “This moment speaks to our aspirations as a city,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said. “Not only are we making the statement that we wish to remain a big-league city, the scale and beauty of this project also make an aesthetic statement that will resonate for generations. This is the city’s most ambitious public project in our history.”
“In 2026, we’re building a modern American downtown. What an incredible opportunity and special gift,” said Thunder chairman Clay Bennett. “This belongs to every citizen who voted yes to make this possible. This is your day. This is your building, and we are forever grateful.”
Watch the construction progress live with the team's live cam.
Owner and/or developer: Oklahoma City and PBC Sports and Entertainment, LLC
Design architect: MANICA Architecture
Architect of record: TVS
MEP engineer: SER
Structural engineer: MKA
General contractor/construction manager: Flintco|Mortenson
