Barclays Center

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Lore & Background

The arena was conceived by Bruce Ratner via his company, Forest City Realty Trust. He acquired the New Jersey Nets basketball team in 2004 for $300 million for the purpose of moving them to the Pacific Park development on Brooklyn's Prospect Heights. The arena was initially projected to open in 2006, but controversies involving local residents, the use of eminent domain, potential environmental impact, lack of continued public financing, and a major economic downturn delayed the project. On May 12, 2009, the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division ruled unanimously in favor of Bruce Ratner's firm, upholding the use of eminent domain. Russian businessman Mikhail Prokhorov agreed to a $200 million deal on September 23, 2009, to become a principal owner of the Nets and a key investor in the Brooklyn arena. Groundbreaking for construction occurred on March 11, 2010, and the arena opened on September 21, 2012, which some 200 protesters also attended. The first event held at the Barclays Center was a sold-out Jay-Z concert on September 28, 2012. The New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) announced on October 24, 2012, that the franchise would move to Barclays Center in 2015. On June 21, 2018, the Islanders announced that they would begin to play a portion of their home schedule at Nassau Coliseum until the completion of UBS Arena. On September 18, 2019, Joseph Tsai completed his purchase of the Nets and Barclays Center, becoming the full owner. Tsai also purchased the WNBA's New York Liberty in 2019 and relocated the team to the Barclays Center in 2020.

In Their Own Story

Construction officially began with a groundbreaking on March 11, 2010, after Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Abraham Gerges struck down property owner challenges. The first concrete was poured into the foundation on June 29, 2010, and vertical construction started on November 23, 2010. While originally projected to open in 2006, legal hurdles and economic slumps pushed the timeline back significantly. Even with a 20-year naming rights deal with Barclays Bank for $400 million signed in 2007 (later renegotiated to $200 million due to the economy), the path was difficult. The arena finally welcomed its first event, a Jay-Z concert, on September 28, 2012, attended by some 200 protesters. On October 24, 2012, the New York Islanders announced their move to the venue in 2015, though capacity issues led to poor sight lines for hockey fans and an eventual return to Nassau Coliseum starting in the 2018–19 season.

Reader's Guide

Barclays Center is located at Atlantic Avenue, next to the Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center subway station and directly above the LIRR's Atlantic Terminal. The arena opened on September 28, 2012. It is home to the Brooklyn Nets (NBA) and the New York Liberty (WNBA). The arena also hosts concerts, conventions and other sporting and entertainment events. For Liberty games, ticket sales will initially be capped at about 8,000. In July 2021, it was announced that SeatGeek would take over ticketing duties for Barclays Center events beginning with the 2021–22 Brooklyn Nets season.

Did You Know?

• The arena opened on September 21, 2012, with a sold-out Jay-Z concert on September 28, 2012 as its first event.
• Barclays Bank agreed to a 20-year naming rights agreement for $400 million in 2007, later renegotiated to $200 million due to the economic slump.
• The New York Islanders played at Barclays Center from 2015, but began playing a portion of their home schedule at Nassau Coliseum in 2018–19.
• According to Billboard magazine, Barclays Center passed Madison Square Garden as the highest-grossing venue in the US for concerts and family shows between November 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013.