Toyota Center

Toyota Center sits in the eastern part of Houston's downtown business district, near the junction of Interstates 10 and 45. The building’s contemporary curvilinear design is distinct, but the defining feature is the playing surface set nearly 32 feet below street level. This depth, combined with the arena's location close to the George R.

The venue opened on October 6, 2003, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 4 of the same year. Construction had begun nearly two years earlier on July 31, 2001. The project cost $235 million, designed by HOK Sport alongside local firms Morris Architects and John Chase Architects, with structural engineering by Walter P Moore Engineers and Consultants. It replaced the Summit as the home of the Houston Rockets.

Inside, the arena hosts multiple sports. For basketball, the capacity is 18,055, a figure that has settled after several adjustments: 17,982 from 2003 to 2007, 18,430 until 2012, and 18,230 until 2015. Hockey events draw 17,800 spectators, while concerts can fill up to 19,000 seats. The playing surface is natural hardwood for basketball and ice for hockey.

The arena has hosted significant events, including the NBA All-Star Games in 2006 and 2013. The 2006 game saw the Eastern Conference defeat the Western Conference 122–120, with LeBron James named MVP. The Latin Grammys were held here in 2008. The venue opened with a Fleetwood Mac concert. In April 2026, an $180 million expansion project, 'Toyota Center Reimagined,' was approved, with construction expected to begin after the 2025-2006 season and open by Fall 2027.