Populous Selected for Paycom Center Upgrades

The City of Oklahoma City has selected global architectural design firm, Populous, to develop a master plan for the renovations at ASM Global-managed Paycom Center.  New amenities and improvements are designed to enhance the guest experience at Oklahoma City Thunder NBA games and live entertainment events.

Renovation plans are part of voter-approved Oklahoma City’s MAPS 4, a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary sales tax. The funding includes $105 million for Paycom Center enhancements and renovations. Populous previously designed and delivered the state-of-the-art MAPS 3 Oklahoma City Convention Center, a $288 million project also funded by the MAPS program that opened January 2021.

“Investing in our downtown arena more than 20 years ago proved to be a game-changing decision for Oklahoma City,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “Paycom Center, home of the Oklahoma City Thunder, serves as an economic driver and a top destination for live sports and entertainment. Our continued investment will focus first on fan amenities, and we’re excited about the new features the facility will offer to residents, visitors and event organizers.”

Construction on several initial projects is scheduled to start this year with new 300-level seats and elevators. Further upgrades scheduled for 2023 include new seating, a new scoreboard, enhanced 300-level concession areas and signature bar, and further technology and infrastructure improvements. To avoid disruptions to major events and the NBA schedule, additional upgrades will be completed through a multi-year approach, with renovations anticipated through 2028.

The downtown arena was built debt-free as part of the original MAPS program that passed by Oklahoma City residents in 1993. The facility opened its doors in 2002. Welcoming more than one million guests each year, Paycom Center upgrades will provide transformative improvements that enable the city to continue to attract top -tier concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment offerings.

Populous is a global design firm spanning four continents that works with communities of all sizes and venues of all uses. Using both technical and visionary knowledge, the firm sets the stage for the next generation of venues and design with equal parts data and an understanding of how people come together.  More than 3,000 projects fill their portfolio, including notable venues such as T-Mobile Arena, The O2 Arena, Wembley Stadium, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and more.