T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri is an indoor arena located in the heart of downtown Kansas City. The arena, which opened in 2007, hosts concerts, sporting events, family shows, and other entertainment events throughout the year.
Quick Answers
T-Mobile Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. It opened in 2007 and can seat over 19,000 people for concerts and sporting events. The arena has over 650,000 square feet of space and hosts around 175 events per year. Some key quick facts about T-Mobile Center:
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- Opened: 2007
- Seating capacity: 19,000+ for concerts
- Size: Over 650,000 square feet
- Hosts: Concerts, sporting events, family shows
- Notable events: Big 12 Basketball Tournament, NHL exhibition games, concerts by major artists
- Operator: AEG Facilities
So in summary, T-Mobile Center is an indoor arena located in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. All events held at the venue take place inside the arena.
Background on T-Mobile Center
T-Mobile Center was built as a replacement for the city’s previous indoor arena, Kemper Arena. The need for a new state-of-the-art venue was driven by the desire to attract major concerts, sporting events, and conventions to downtown Kansas City.
Some key facts about the development and construction of T-Mobile Center:
- Construction began in 2005 after voters approved a ballot measure supporting the new arena.
- It was designed by the architectural firms Populous and Rafael Architects.
- The $276 million project was financed through public funding from taxes, bonds, and other sources.
- Occupies a 15 acre site in downtown Kansas City adjacent to the Kansas City Convention Center.
- Has over 650,000 square feet of floor space.
- Took just under 3 years to complete construction.
- Officially opened in October 2007.
The arena was originally known as the Sprint Center when it first opened. In 2020, it was renamed T-Mobile Center under a new naming rights agreement with T-Mobile US after they acquired Sprint. The name change took effect in October 2020.
Venue Layout and Design
As an indoor arena, all of the seating and event facilities are contained within the enclosed structure of T-Mobile Center. The venue was specifically designed to accommodate major concerts, sports competitions, and other events.
Some key details about the layout and design:
- Over 19,000 person seating capacity for concerts depending on stage setup.
- For basketball games, seating capacity is around 18,500.
- 70 luxury suites and 2 party suites.
- Over 350 concession points of sale.
- State-of-the-art sound system and lighting capabilities.
- Dedicated loading bays to move equipment and sets in and out easily.
- Backstage facilities for event performers and crew.
- Multiple locker rooms for athletic competitions.
- Modern technology like high-speed WiFi throughout arena.
The arena bowl features multiple seating tiers and minimal distance between the furthest seats and the stage or central floor area. This provides good views for spectators. The below table summarizes some key stats about the arena’s size and capacities:
Category | Statistic |
---|---|
Opened | 2007 |
Seating capacity (concerts) | 19,000+ |
Seating capacity (basketball) | 18,500 |
Suites | 70 luxury, 2 party |
Concession stands | Over 350 |
Loading bays | Dedicated bays |
Backstage facilities | Multiple rooms |
Locker rooms | Multiple rooms |
Notable Events Hosted
Here are some of the major events that have taken place inside T-Mobile Center since it opened:
- Concerts – Performers like Paul McCartney, Beyonce, Bruno Mars, Eagles, Foo Fighters, and many more have held concerts at the arena.
- NBA/NHL Exhibition Games – The arena has hosted preseason games for the NBA and NHL over the years.
- NCAA Basketball Tournaments – NCAA March Madness tournament games have been played at the venue multiple times.
- U.S. Figure Skating Championships – The arena hosted this national figure skating competition in 2009.
- Big 12 Basketball Tournament – This major college basketball conference tournament is frequently held at T-Mobile Center.
- Family shows – Events like Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, and circus performances have taken place in the arena.
In addition, T-Mobile Center is home to the Kansas City Mavericks ice hockey team and frequently hosts MMA and boxing matches. The venue is actively booked throughout the year for major tours, sports competitions, and other specialty events that require an indoor arena.
Noteworthy Arena Features
T-Mobile Center has a number of noteworthy features that allow it to accommodate major indoor events:
- 360-degree seating bowl layout with excellent sightlines throughout the arena.
- State-of-the-art sound system using JBL loudspeakers for quality concert audio.
- Advanced theatrical lighting systems including over 400 lights and effects.
- 14 digital video screens including 6 primary scoreboard screens and ribbon boards.
- 70 private luxury suites for VIP guests.
- Dedicated locker rooms, training rooms, and interview rooms for athletic competitions.
- Onsite broadcast facilities to support TV broadcasts.
- Convenient attached parking garage with over 1,500 spaces.
These features and amenities make it a highly modern, flexible, and accommodating venue capable of hosting virtually any type of indoor event from concerts to sports to family entertainment and more.
Operators and Ownership
T-Mobile Center is owned by the city of Kansas City, Missouri and county of Jackson, who financed its construction. However, the facility is operated and managed through a public-private partnership with AEG Facilities.
AEG Facilities is part of AEG Worldwide, a subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group. They are a leader in owning, operating, and managing major venues across North America and globally. Under contract with the city, AEG Facilities handles:
- Booking events and managing event calendar
- Operations, maintenance, upgrades
- Food and beverage, merchandise, and sponsorships
- Marketing and promotions
- Staffing, security, ushers
So in summary, T-Mobile Center is a city/county-owned venue but AEG Facilities handles the day-to-day operations, management, and event booking as contracted by the city and county government owners.
Location and Transportation Access
T-Mobile Center enjoys a prime location in the heart of downtown Kansas City. Some details about its location and transportation access:
- Address: 1407 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106
- Located adjacent to the Kansas City Convention Center
- Walking distance from hotels, restaurants, bars, and attractions in downtown Kansas City
- Directly connected to a public parking garage with over 1,500 spaces
- Accessible via multiple highways including I-670, I-35, and I-70
- Within 0.5 miles of 3 stops on the KC Streetcar line
- About 10 minutes driving distance from Kansas City International Airport
- Served by public bus routes, taxis, rideshares, and an onsite box office for tickets
So attendees can access T-Mobile Center conveniently by car, public transit, walking from nearby hotels and parking garages, and other options. Its downtown location makes it highly accessible.
Conclusion
In summary, T-Mobile Center in Kansas City is an indoor arena located in the heart of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The over 650,000 square foot venue opened in 2007 and can accommodate well over 19,000 people for concerts and major indoor events. With excellent sightlines, state-of-the-art amenities, and a prime location, T-Mobile Center hosts hundreds of events each year spanning concerts, sports, family shows, and more. While the city and county own the venue, management and operations are handled by AEG Facilities. T-Mobile Center’s downtown location and modern indoor design make it a premier destination for major indoor events in Kansas City and the Midwest region.