Magic Fan Fest

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The arena opened as Amway Center in 2010, replacing the older Amway Arena. It was renamed Kia Center on December 20, 2023, in partnership with Kia America. The facility has hosted the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, the 2015 ECHL All-Star Game, and NCAA tournament games in 2014, 2017, and 2023. WWE held the 2016 Royal Rumble there and used the arena as the WWE ThunderDome from August 21 to December 7, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the arena hums with a low-frequency vibration before the tip-off. A sea of blue jerseys stretches from the floor seats to the upper deck, punctuated by the occasional flash of gold. As the warm-ups begin, the crowd doesn't just cheer; they sing along to the pre-game anthem, their voices echoing off the high ceiling. It feels less like a sporting event and more like a homecoming for every fan who has ever believed in the magic of Orlando.

Reader's Guide

The arena is located at the southwest corner of Church Street and Hughey Avenue in downtown Orlando. It features a centerhung display by Daktronics, the tallest in any NBA venue, with 18 high-resolution displays and over 2,100 feet of digital ribbon boards. The building includes a feature tower with LED lighting, a team store, hospitality space, a brewery, and a rooftop sky bar.

Did You Know?

• The arena cost $480 million total, including $380 million for the building and $100 million for land and infrastructure.
• The naming rights deal with Amway was worth $40 million; the company had right of first refusal from the old arena.
• The arena's design includes retractable sections to accommodate arena football, a feature not possible in the old Amway Arena.
• The art collection includes over 340 works, with 14 of 21 artists representing Central Florida.