AT&T Center

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Before this facility opened, the Spurs played at the Alamodome, a football-first venue built in 1993 that offered poor sightlines and a cavernous feel. Dissatisfaction grew as the team's deep playoff runs conflicted with convention schedules, prompting a campaign for a dedicated arena. The new plan, approved by Bexar County voters on November 2, 1999—the same day the Spurs received their first championship rings—shifted construction from an Alamodome-adjacent site to one next to the Freeman Coliseum. Rick Pych led development as Chief Development Officer. Unlike most dual-sport arenas, this facility was primarily designed for basketball, though it accommodated the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League (2002–2020) with a capacity limit of 16,151 due to asymmetrical seating and obstructed views on the west end. From 2003 to 2017, it also hosted the WNBA's San Antonio Stars.

In Their Own Story

Ground was broken in August 2000, with Minneapolis-based Ellerbe Becket and local firm Lake/Flato designing a structure that introduced South Texas vernacular. The arena opened in 2002, hosting NBA Finals games in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2014, and 2026. Spurs championships were won on this floor in 2003, 2005, and 2014, while the New York Knicks became the first visiting team to win a title there in 2026. Significant moments include Dirk Nowitzki’s final NBA game on April 10, 2019, where he was moved to tears by a sold-out crowd after a 94–105 loss. Black Sabbath played their final U.S. show here on November 12, 2016. The venue also hosted UFC events, including the record-setting decision-heavy card on July 20, 2019, and Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva on September 13, 2025.

Reader's Guide

Located adjacent to the Freeman Coliseum, Frost Bank Center offers a basketball-centric layout with 2,018 club seats and 50 luxury suites. For concerts or gatherings, capacity expands to 19,000. The arena features 32 bathrooms and underwent $101.5 million in renovations starting summer 2015, funded by a 2008 tax increase originally intended for other projects. Upgrades included a new scoreboard, updated televisions, a state-of-the-art sound system, and Wi-Fi covering about 90% of the venue. The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo is held annually in February, forcing the Spurs and Rampage on the famous "Rodeo Road Trip." Beyond basketball, the parking lot hosts monthly autocross competitions by the San Antonio Sports Car Association. In November 2024, plans emerged for a new downtown district including another arena, with public funding approved in November 2025 targeting a 2032 opening.

Did You Know?

• The arena's naming rights deal with SBC Communications was signed in July 2000 for $41 million over 20 years.
• Bexar County voters approved the funding plan on November 2, 1999, coinciding exactly with the Spurs receiving their first NBA championship rings.
• For ice hockey games, the seating capacity drops to a maximum of 16,151 due to asymmetrical arrangements and obstructed upper-level views on the west end.
• The venue hosted its first Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live event over the weekend of July 27–28, 2019.
• On September 22, 2023, the building signage was updated to reflect the new name, Frost Bank Center, following AT&T's decision not to renew its contract in 2021.