The Arena Arms Race Isn't Just Football
NFL stadiums get the most attention for renovations, but NBA and NHL arenas are investing just as aggressively. The 2025-26 season brought new buildings, major overhauls, and technology upgrades across both leagues. If you're planning to visit an arena this season, some of these changes will directly affect your experience.
New Arenas
Intuit Dome (NBA: Clippers), Inglewood, CA
The Clippers finally have their own building, and Steve Ballmer went all out. Intuit Dome opened with a double-sided halo video board, a dedicated "wall" section designed for the loudest fans, and a completely cashless, app-driven concession system. No more standing in line. You order on your phone and pick up at a window.
- Capacity: 18,000
- Standout feature: The "Wall" section behind one basket. Standing room, no seats, designed to be loud
- Food: Fully app-based ordering. Some fans love it, some find it frustrating
- Verdict: The tech is impressive. The atmosphere is still building. Give it a season
UBS Arena (NHL: Islanders), Elmont, NY
The Islanders moved from Barclays Center (which was a terrible hockey venue) to UBS Arena at Belmont Park. The building was designed specifically for hockey, which makes a huge difference in sightlines and atmosphere. The LIRR connection from Penn Station makes getting there from Manhattan straightforward.
- Capacity: 17,255
- Improvement over Barclays: Night and day. Actual hockey sightlines
- Getting there: LIRR to Elmont station. About 30 minutes from Penn Station
- Food: Strong New York deli and pizza options inside
Major Renovations
Crypto.com Arena (NBA/NHL: Lakers, Clippers alumni, Kings), Los Angeles
With the Clippers gone to Intuit Dome, the arena has more scheduling flexibility and invested in upgrades. New premium seating sections, expanded concourse areas, and improved food options. The building feels less cramped now that it's hosting fewer events.
- What changed: New club sections, wider concourses, upgraded food vendors
- Impact: More space per event, better flow on the concourse
Wells Fargo Center (NBA/NHL: 76ers, Flyers), Philadelphia
Philly's arena went through a significant renovation cycle. New seats throughout the lower bowl, expanded food hall areas, and better connectivity. The 76ers' potential move to a new downtown arena has been debated for years, so these upgrades signal the building will be in use for a while.
- What changed: Lower bowl seating replaced, new food options, improved Wi-Fi
- Impact: Noticeably more comfortable lower bowl experience
Scotiabank Arena (NBA/NHL: Raptors, Maple Leafs), Toronto
Toronto's arena invested in premium spaces and technology. New club areas, expanded suites, and a completely rebuilt app experience for in-arena ordering and wayfinding. The building's Union Station connection remains one of the best transit setups in pro sports.
- What changed: New premium club spaces, rebuilt mobile app, upgraded Wi-Fi
- Impact: Better experience in premium sections. General admission mostly unchanged
Technology Upgrades Across Both Leagues
App-Based Everything
The trend that started in the NFL has fully reached NBA and NHL arenas. Most venues now support:
- Mobile ticketing (paper tickets are basically gone)
- In-seat food and drink ordering through the arena app
- Real-time wayfinding and wait-time estimates for concession stands
- Digital wallet payments only at many newer venues
The convenience is real, but some fans find it annoying to need a phone for everything. Most arenas still accept physical credit cards at concession stands even if they're "cashless."
Video Boards
The video board arms race continues. Bigger screens, higher resolution, and more creative uses of LED throughout the arena. Notable upgrades:
- Ball Arena in Denver installed a new center-hung scoreboard with 40% more screen area
- Bridgestone Arena in Nashville upgraded the ribbon boards around the arena
- TD Garden in Boston replaced the main video board with a higher-resolution display
Wi-Fi and Connectivity
Arena Wi-Fi has been a joke for years, but the investments are finally paying off. Most NBA and NHL arenas now support Wi-Fi 6E or 7, which means mobile ordering and social media actually work during sold-out games. That wasn't true two years ago at a lot of venues.
Food Program Changes
Several arenas expanded or overhauled their food programs:
- Chase Center added more rotating local vendor spots
- Fiserv Forum expanded the Deer District outdoor food options
- FedExForum brought in more Memphis BBQ vendors
- T-Mobile Arena added a taco-focused food hall on the 200 level
The general trend: local over national. Arenas are figuring out that fans would rather eat food from a local restaurant than from Aramark. That's good news for everyone.
What This Means for Your Visit
Arena upgrades affect your wallet and your experience. Better apps mean less time in line. Local food partnerships mean better food. New seating options in the mid-tier premium range give you more choices between nosebleeds and luxury suites.
Before you buy tickets, check the arena's page on VisitYourTeam. We update venue info as changes roll out through the season. Compare any two arenas with the Compare Teams tool, or check the cost rankings for NBA and NHL to plan around your budget.