Kaseya Center

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

In 1997, the owners of the Miami Heat threatened to move to Broward County unless they were given the $38 million parcel of land for the new arena by Alex Penelas, then-mayor of Miami-Dade County. The agreement provided that the county receive 40% of annual profits of the arena, which was above $14 million. Construction began on February 6, 1998. The arena was designed by Arquitectonica and 360 Architecture. Kaseya Center opened as the American Airlines Arena on December 31, 1999, and its construction cost was $213 million. Architectural design team members included George Heinlein, Cristian Petschen, Reinaldo Borges, and Lance Simon. The arena's opening was inaugurated with a concert by Gloria Estefan. Two days later, on January 2, 2000, the Miami Heat played its first game in the new arena by defeating the Orlando Magic 111–103. As part of its sponsorship arrangement, American Airlines had a giant aircraft painted atop the arena's roof, with an American Airlines logo in the center. The arena also has luxury skyboxes called 'Flagship Lounges'. Until the date that the arena was renamed in 2020–2021, the arena used the 1967-2013 logo of American Airlines. The arena was sometimes referred to as 'Triple-A' or 'A3' (A cubed). The arena is known for its unusual scoreboard, designed by artist Christopher Janney and installed in 1998 as part of the original construction. Drawing on the underwater anemone forms, the scoreboard also changes colors depending on the atmosphere. In 2013, the Miami Heat paid rent on the arena for the first time pursuant to the percentage rent agreement with the county; the payment was $3.32 million. On September 10, 2019, American Airlines said that it would not renew its naming rights upon expiration at the end of 2019. The American Airlines Arena court decals were removed from the Heat's floor before the 2020–21 season and replaced temporarily with the logo of team/league vehicle sponsor Kia Motors. In March 2021, FTX acquired the naming rights to the arena in a $135 million, 19-year agreement. The NBA approved the deal in early April, and the arena was renamed FTX Arena in June 2021, just after the Miami Heat were defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2021 NBA playoffs. As part of the bankruptcy of FTX, the naming rights agreement was terminated effective January 2023. After three months under the temporary name of

In Their Own Story

The arena has witnessed historic turning points, such as the Heat's 2012 championship victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and their dramatic Game 6 comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in 2013. In October 2024, the court was dedicated to Pat Riley for his role in acquiring LeBron James and Chris Bosh in 2010 and securing three titles. The venue also hosted the 2023 NBA Finals where the Denver Nuggets defeated the Heat for their first championship. Beyond basketball, it has seen mixed martial arts history with UFC 42: Sudden Impact in 2003 and subsequent events like UFC 287 in 2023 and UFC 299 in 2024. The arena even served as a hub for WTVJ's Downtown Miami Studios from 2001 to 2011, while its Waterfront Theater hosted the 2020 NFL Honors.

Reader's Guide

The arena has capacity for 19,500 people, including 2,105 club seats, 80 luxury suites, and 76 private boxes. Additionally, for more intimate performances, The Waterfront Theater, the largest indoor theater in Florida, is within the arena complex, seating between 3,000 and 5,800 patrons. The theater can be configured for concerts, worship events, family events, musical theatre shows and other stage productions. American Airlines, which has a hub at Miami International Airport, maintains a travel center at the venue. The arena is directly served by the Miami Metrorail at Government Center station via free transfers to Metromover Omni Loop, providing direct service to Freedom Tower station and Park West station stations, within walking distance. It is also within walking distance from the Historic Overtown/Lyric Theatre station. The arena has 939 parking spaces, with those spaces reserved for premium seat and Dewar's 12 Clubhouse ticket holders during Heat games. ParkJockey manages the arena's on-site parking. For concerts in an arena configuration, end stage capacity is 12,202 for 180° shows, 15,402 for 270° shows, and 18,309 for 360° shows. For center stage concerts the arena can seat 19,146.

Did You Know?

• The arena's scoreboard was designed by artist Christopher Janney and installed in 1998 as part of the original construction.
• The arena was sometimes referred to as 'Triple-A' or 'A3' (A cubed).
• The Waterfront Theater within the arena complex is the largest indoor theater in Florida.
• The arena hosted the 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2023 NBA Finals.
• The arena's opening was inaugurated with a concert by Gloria Estefan on December 31, 1999.