The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. The Rockets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The Rockets play their home games at the Toyota Center, located in downtown Houston.
Quick Answers
- The Houston Rockets home arena is the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
- The Toyota Center has been the home of the Rockets since 2003.
- The Toyota Center seats 18,055 for basketball games.
- In addition to hosting the Rockets, the Toyota Center is also home to the Houston Aeros of the AHL.
- The Toyota Center is located at 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002.
History of Home Arenas
The Houston Rockets have played in three different home arenas since entering the NBA as an expansion team in 1967:
Sam Houston Coliseum (1967-1971)
The Rockets played their first four seasons at the Sam Houston Coliseum. The Coliseum had a capacity of 9,300 for basketball games. It was located on the fairgrounds of the Sam Houston Park near downtown Houston. The Rockets shared the arena with various events held at the park.
Hofheinz Pavilion (1971-1975)
In 1971, the Rockets moved into Hofheinz Pavilion on the campus of the University of Houston. The capacity of Hofheinz Pavilion was 16,000 for basketball. The Rockets played home games at Hofheinz Pavilion for four seasons while their permanent arena was under construction.
The Summit (1975-2003)
The Summit, later known as Compaq Center, was an indoor arena built specifically for the Rockets in 1975. For 28 seasons, The Summit was home to the Rockets. At the time it opened, it was one of the first indoor arenas built specifically for an NBA team. The capacity was 16,611 for basketball. In 2003, the Rockets moved to the newly built Toyota Center.
Toyota Center
The Toyota Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It has been the home of the Houston Rockets since 2003. Some key facts about the Toyota Center:
- Arena capacity for basketball games: 18,055
- Address: 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002
- Opened in October 2003
- Owned by Harris County-Houston Sports Authority
- Operated by Clutch City Sports & Entertainment
- Cost approximately $235 million to build
- Also home to the Houston Aeros (AHL)
- Hosts over 150 events per year including concerts and other sporting events
Arena Features
The Toyota Center boasts excellent amenities for fans, players, and event performers:
- Multiple locker rooms for sports teams
- Modern sports medicine and training facilities
- Luxury suites and club seating areas
- In-arena wi-fi connectivity
- 3,600 club seats
- 101 luxury suites
- Variety of food concession stands and restaurants
- Team store and gift shops
- Cutting edge sound and lighting systems
Major Events Hosted
In addition to being the full-time home for the Rockets and Aeros, some major events that have taken place at Toyota Center include:
- NBA All Star Game (2006, 2013)
- NBA Finals (1981, 1986, 1994, 1995)
- Women’s Final Four (2008)
- WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
- UFC fights
- Concerts by major touring acts
Getting to Toyota Center
The Toyota Center is located in downtown Houston, making it easily accessible for fans:
Driving and Parking
- Over 15,000 parking spaces in surrounding parking garages
- Adjacent to Interstate 69 and Interstate 45 for vehicular access
- Pay parking in Toyota Tundra Garage and GreenParking Lots (rates vary)
Public Transportation
- Metro Light Rail Line has a stop at the arena entrance
- Metro Bus Lines serving Toyota Center:
- 6, 11, 61, 63, 102, 108, 131
Ride Sharing
Easy drop-off/pick-up access for services like Uber and Lyft.
Places to Stay Nearby
There are many great hotel options near the Toyota Center for when you are catching a Rockets game or event:
Hotel | Distance from Arena |
---|---|
Hilton Americas-Houston | Connected via Skybridge |
Four Seasons Houston | 0.1 miles |
Hampton Inn Downtown | 0.3 miles |
Hotel ICON | 0.4 miles |
Courtyard Marriott Downtown | 0.4 miles |
Magnolia Hotel | 0.4 miles |
Places to Eat Nearby
There are also great dining options around Toyota Center including:
- Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse – Upscale steakhouse connected to arena
- The Breakfast Klub – Popular local breakfast spot 0.3 miles away
- El Tiempo Cantina – Tex-Mex restaurant 0.4 miles away
- Finn Hall – Food hall with variety of cuisines 0.5 miles away
- Grimaldi’s Pizzeria – New York-style pizza 0.5 miles away
- Jinya Ramen Bar – Japanese ramen noodle restaurant 0.6 miles away
Things to Do Near Toyota Center
Toyota Center is situated right in the heart of downtown Houston. There are many attractions and things to do within walking distance:
- Discovery Green – 12-acre public park 0.2 miles away
- George R. Brown Convention Center – 0.3 miles away
- Minute Maid Park – Home of MLB’s Houston Astros 0.5 miles away
- Toyota Center Tours – Get an insider’s view of the arena
- Downtown Aquarium – Restaurant and aquarium 0.6 miles away
- Houston Zoo – 4 miles away
- Space Center Houston – NASA space center 23 miles away
Conclusion
The Toyota Center has been the state-of-the-art home arena for the Houston Rockets since 2003. Located right in the heart of downtown Houston, it provides easy access and an exciting game-day environment for fans. With a capacity of over 18,000 for basketball games, the Toyota Center gives the Rockets one of the best home court advantages in the NBA. It has excellent facilities for players and fans alike, and has hosted many major sporting events over the years. The arena’s downtown location next to public transportation and hotels gives fans ultimate convenience. Catching a Rockets game at the Toyota Center is a thrilling experience.