Little Caesars Arena

Lore & Background

The arena features a unique, clear plastic roofed concourse connecting it to offices and shops surrounding it. It was designed to be the flagship of a new $2.1 billion sports and entertainment district, the District Detroit, with mixed-use neighborhoods with new residential and retail outlets located around the Cass Corridor, Ford Field, and Comerica Park. However, this has yet to materialize. The lack of progress has received both local and national attention. The arena was designed by HOK, and features a unique 'deconstructed' layout. The Bell Centre in Montreal has been cited to be one of the biggest influences of the arena's design. The goal horn used at Joe Louis Arena from 1995 to 2017 was not moved to Little Caesars Arena; an amplified recording was played instead. Ahead of the 2023–24 season, a new horn matching the model previously used at Joe Louis Arena was installed, using compressed air rather than nitrogen.

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed over the hardwood floor, casting long shadows across the center court logo. A hush fell over twenty thousand fans, broken only by the squeak of sneakers on polished wood. Outside, the Detroit skyline glowed against the winter night, but inside, all eyes were fixed on the game. The air smelled of popcorn and anticipation. As the ball was tipped, the roar returned, a thunderous wave that shook the glass walls surrounding the arena.

Reader's Guide

The eight-story arena is built as a bowl, with its floor below street level with seating capacities of 19,515 for ice hockey and 20,332 for basketball. The bowl also features a 'gondola' seating level suspended above the stands. The exterior of the bowl structure is capable of displaying video projections. A practice ice rink is also inside the arena, serving as the practice facility for the Red Wings and as the home of both Little Caesars AAA Hockey Club and Little Caesars Amateur Hockey League. The arena features a centerhung scoreboard, 45 LED displays, and 16.5 million plus LEDs in and around it. The concourse remains open year-round, even if an event is not occurring inside the arena, allowing it to also be used as a venue of its own. There is also an outdoor plaza with a large video display.

Did You Know?

• The arena replaced both Joe Louis Arena and the Palace of Auburn Hills as the home of the Red Wings and Pistons, respectively.
• The arena's design was influenced by the Bell Centre in Montreal.
• The goal horn from Joe Louis Arena was not moved; a new horn using compressed air was installed before the 2023–24 season.
• The arena's concourse is a glass-roofed indoor 'street' that remains open year-round.