Frost Bank Center

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Lore & Background

The journey to this arena began with frustration at the Alamodome, a football stadium that forced fans into poor sightlines while curtailing half the floor for basketball. The Spurs and Bexar County partnered to build a facility adjacent to the Freeman Coliseum, prioritizing an intimate basketball atmosphere over cavernous capacity. Ground was broken in August 2000, with the arena opening in 2002, two years after the franchise had already won its first championship in 1999. Architect Ellerbe Becket designed the structure alongside local firm Lake/Flato, blending modern NBA standards with South Texas vernacular. The facility was engineered to host the Spurs, a new IHL team (the Rampage, who later joined the AHL in 2005), and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo simultaneously, solving the scheduling nightmares of the past. Rick Pych led the development as Chief Development Officer, guiding the project from voter approval in November 1999 to its grand opening.

In Their Own Story

On October 1, 2016, the arena hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions, showcasing its versatility beyond basketball. The building has witnessed historic sporting moments, including the Spurs' 2003, 2005, and 2014 NBA Finals victories on their home floor. In a poignant moment for rival fans, Dirk Nowitzki played his final NBA game here on April 10, 2019, moving to tears as a sold-out crowd congratulated him despite his team's 94–105 loss. The venue also hosted the New York Knicks to win their first visiting championship at the site in 2026. Music history was made when Black Sabbath played their final U.S. show here on November 12, 2016. Even the Rampage left a mark; after losing intern Jessica Redfield in the Aurora theater shooting, the team renamed the press box in her honor in 2012.

Reader's Guide

Visitors arrive at an arena designed primarily for basketball, though it accommodates NHL-sized ice rinks with a reduced capacity of 16,151 due to asymmetrical seating. The west end upper-level seats offer obstructed views, which were deemed unnecessary when the Rampage played there as crowds stayed under 7,000. For concerts or large gatherings, the capacity expands to 19,000. Fans can access 32 bathrooms and enjoy state-of-the-art sound systems installed during a $101.5 million renovation project that began in summer 2015. This upgrade also brought improved Wi-Fi covering 90% of the venue and new scoreboards. The building is easily recognized by its signage, updated to Frost Bank Center in late September 2023. It sits near the Alamodome and Freeman Coliseum, continuing a legacy of hosting the annual Stock Show & Rodeo in February.

Did You Know?

• The arena opened in 2002 as the SBC Center after a $41 million naming rights agreement signed in July 2000.
• Rick Pych led the development of the facility, which was funded partly by a $28.5 million contribution from the Spurs organization.
• The venue hosted its first Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live event on July 27 & 28, 2019.
• Black Sabbath played their final show in the United States at this arena on November 12, 2016.
• The press box was renamed the 'Jessica Redfield Press Box' in 2012 to honor a former team intern killed in the Aurora theater shooting.

Origins and Naming Evolution

The arena's identity has shifted three times since its conception. SBC Communications secured naming rights in July 2000 with a 20-year, $41 million agreement involving Bexar County, the Spurs, and the Stock Show & Rodeo. The venue opened as the SBC Center in 2002. When SBC rebranded to AT&T Inc. in November 2005, the arena officially became the AT&T Center in January 2006. On July 2, 2021, it was announced that AT&T would not renew its contract. Following this expiration, Frost Bank was named the new sponsor on August 3, 2023. The official name change to Frost Bank Center took effect on September 22, 2023, with immediate updates to digital platforms and physical signage shortly thereafter.

Design Philosophy and Architectural Vision

Designed by Minneapolis-based Ellerbe Becket in partnership with local firm Lake/Flato, the arena introduced a South Texas vernacular while addressing the specific failures of the Alamodome. Unlike the previous football-centric venue, this facility was built for basketball intimacy, featuring 2,018 club seats and 50 luxury suites on lower levels to maximize revenue. While it can host ice hockey, the asymmetrical seating limits capacity to 16,151, with all upper-level sets on the west end having obstructed views. This design choice meant that for Rampage games, which drew fewer than 7,000 fans, the obstructed upper sections were simply not needed. The construction was funded by county bonds supported by a hotel-occupancy and car-rental tax increase, plus a $28.5 million contribution from the Spurs.

Tenant History and Community Legacy

Since opening in 2002, the arena has hosted three major professional teams: the San Antonio Spurs (NBA), the San Antonio Stars (WNBA) from 2003 to 2017, and the San Antonio Rampage (AHL) for 18 years until 2020. The facility also anchors the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, which requires the Spurs and Rampage to take a 'Rodeo Road Trip' every February. The building has hosted numerous UFC events, including the record-breaking 'Noche UFC: Lopes vs. Silva' on September 13, 2025, and multiple WWE pay-per-views like Royal Rumble (2007) and Hell in a Cell (2018). A unique tribute to community loss occurred in 2012 when the Rampage renamed their press box after Jessica Redfield, a former intern killed in the Aurora theater shooting.

Modernization and Financial Framework

The original $175 million project was approved by Bexar County voters in November 1999, coincidentally on the day the Spurs received rings for their first NBA championship. Years later, to keep pace with modern standards, the Bexar County Commissioners Court authorized up to $101.5 million in renovations on December 9, 2014. These improvements, which began in summer 2015 after the Spurs' season ended, included a new scoreboard, updated televisions, and enhanced Wi-Fi covering 90% of the venue. The funding for these upgrades came from a 2008 tax increase originally intended for the Tobin Center, Mission Reach expansion, and rodeo grounds. Rick Pych served as Chief Development Officer throughout the initial construction phase, overseeing the transition from referendum to opening.