SAP Center at San Jose

Lore & Background

Plans for a San Jose arena began in the mid-1980s, when a group of local citizens formed Fund Arena Now (FAN). The group contacted city officials and pursued potential sponsors and partners from the NHL and NBA. In the late 1980s, mayor Tom McEnery met with FAN, and subsequently a measure to allocate local taxes for arena construction came up for a public vote on June 7, 1988, passing by a narrow margin. The arena was principally designed by Denver architect Charles Sink, a senior partner of Sink Combs Dethlefs. In 1991, soon after construction began, the NHL granted an expansion franchise to San Jose. After it was discovered that the arena would not be suitable for NBA or NHL use as originally designed, the Sharks requested an upgrade to NHL standards, including the addition of luxury suites, a press box, and increased seating capacity. In 1993, the arena was completed and initially named the 'San Jose Arena'. For the 1996–97 NBA season, the arena served as home to the Golden State Warriors while their regular home court in Oakland (now known as Oakland Arena) was under renovation. In 2001, naming rights were sold to Compaq, and it was renamed 'Compaq Center at San Jose'. After HP purchased Compaq in 2002, the arena was renamed 'HP Pavilion'. In late April 2007, it was announced that the HP Pavilion at San Jose would be receiving several building improvements, including a new center-hung LED video display system from Daktronics. In June 2013, German software company SAP purchased the naming rights to the facility in a five-year deal worth US$3.35 million per year. The arena was renamed 'SAP Center at San Jose' upon approval by the San Jose City Council. In September 2022, a new center-hung system from Daktronics that doubled the surface of the old video display system was debuted ahead of the 2022-23 NHL season. In April 2023, construction was announced on a new 10,000-square-foot penthouse lounge, with seven suites and three rows of regular seating being converted to accommodate the project. With the new premium seating completed, the arena's total attendance capacity for hockey games changed from 17,562 to 17,435. In August 2025, it was announced that the Sharks would sign an extension keeping them at the arena until 2051, with several upgrades planned for the arena totalling $425 million. Further upgrades announced in February 2026 include an expansion t

In Their Own Story

The lights dimmed over the ice as the crowd fell into a hushed reverence. A single spotlight hit center ice where the puck waited for faceoff. The air was thick with anticipation, smelling faintly of cold air and excitement. In the lower bowl, fans leaned forward in unison, eyes locked on the teal jerseys skating out. It was just another night until the first hit rang off the boards, triggering a roar that shook the rafters.

Reader's Guide

SAP Center is located in San Jose, California. It is the home of the San Jose Sharks (NHL). The arena has hosted numerous events including the 1996 United States Figure Skating Championships, the 47th National Hockey League All-Star Game in 1997, the 1999 NCAA Women's Final Four, ArenaBowl XVI in 2002, the 2007 USA Gymnastics Visa Championships, UFC 139 on November 19, 2011, Intel Extreme Masters Season IX – San Jose in 2014 and Intel Extreme Masters Season X – San Jose, introductory media activities for Super Bowl 50, games 3, 4, and 6 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals, the USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016, West Regional semifinals and finals of the 2002, 2007, and 2017 NCAA men's basketball tournaments, first- and second-round games of the 2010, 2013, and 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournaments, and the Golden State Valkyries' first playoff game on September 17, 2025. Mixed Martial Arts events have included Strikeforce events from 2006 through 2012, Bellator MMA events from 2015 to 2018, and UFC events from 2011 to 2014. The arena also hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions on September 18, 2016, the US Figure Skating Championships in 1996, 2012, 2018, 2021, and 2023, WWE pay-per-views including Royal Rumble (1998), SummerSlam (2001), The Great American Bash (2007), Payback (2017), and TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2018), and All Elite Wrestling's Forbidden Door (2026) on June 28, 2026. In 2026, it will host the CrossFit Games. Beginning in 2026, SAP Center will be home to San Jose's team in the Professional Women's Hockey League.

Did You Know?

• In 2006, SAP Center sold the most tickets (633,435) to non-sporting events of any venue in the Western United States, and the fourth highest total in the world.
• The arena was originally named 'San Jose Arena' when it opened in 1993.
• The Sharks were granted an expansion franchise in 1991, after construction on the arena had begun.
• The arena's nickname is 'The Shark Tank'.

Origins and Architectural Evolution

The journey of this iconic venue began in the mid-1980s when a grassroots group called Fund Arena Now mobilized to bring professional sports to San Jose. Their efforts culminated in a narrow public vote victory on June 7, 1988, which authorized local tax funding for construction. Designed by Denver architect Charles Sink of Sink Combs Dethlefs, the facility faced immediate hurdles once the NHL granted an expansion franchise to the city in 1991. The original blueprints proved insufficient for professional hockey standards, prompting the San Jose Sharks to request significant upgrades, including luxury suites and a press box. Completed in 1993 as the 'San Jose Arena,' it quickly established itself as a premier multi-purpose indoor space. Over the decades, its identity has shifted through various naming rights deals, evolving from the Compaq Center and HP Pavilion to its current moniker, the SAP Center at San Jose, reflecting the changing technological landscape of Silicon Valley while maintaining its core function.

The Shark Tank Legacy

As the primary home of the National Hockey League's San Jose Sharks since opening, this arena has earned the formidable nickname 'The Shark Tank.' The facility played a pivotal role in the franchise's history, notably hosting games three, four, and six of the historic 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. During that series, the venue witnessed the Pittsburgh Penguins claim the championship trophy after Game Six, marking the Sharks' first-ever appearance in the finals. Beyond hockey, the arena demonstrated its versatility by serving as a temporary home for the Golden State Warriors during the 1996–97 NBA season while their Oakland facility underwent renovations. More recently, the venue hosted the inaugural playoff game of the WNBA's Golden State Valkyries in September 2025. In August 2025, the Sharks secured a long-term future at the location by signing an extension through 2051, ensuring that this historic 'Tank' remains the heartbeat of professional hockey in San Jose for generations to come.

A Global Stage for Diverse Events

Beyond its role as a sports arena, this facility has established itself as one of the world's busiest venues for non-sporting events. In 2006 alone, it sold over 633,000 tickets for concerts and shows, ranking fourth globally behind only Madison Square Garden, Manchester Arena, and Scotiabank Arena. The venue has hosted a staggering array of high-profile competitions, including the 1997 NHL All-Star Game, multiple NCAA Women's Final Fours, and five editions of the US Figure Skating Championships. It has also been a cornerstone for combat sports, hosting numerous Strikeforce events starting in 2006, Bellator MMA fights, and several UFC cards beginning with UFC 139 in 2011. Wrestling fans have seen major pay-per-view spectacles like WWE's SummerSlam and the first All Elite Wrestling event, Forbidden Door, take place within its walls. Additionally, it served as a media hub for Super Bowl 50 and is slated to host the prestigious CrossFit Games in 2026.

Modernization and Future Upgrades

The arena has undergone continuous transformation to meet modern entertainment standards, with significant investments in technology and infrastructure. In late April 2007, a new center-hung LED video system from Daktronics was installed, followed by a massive upgrade in September 2022 that doubled the display surface area to over 9,300 square feet. Recent renovations have focused on premium experiences; construction announced in April 2023 converted existing seating into a new 10,000-square-foot penthouse lounge, slightly reducing hockey capacity to 17,435. Looking ahead, the August 2025 announcement of a massive $425 million upgrade plan signals an ambitious future. These improvements will modernize elevators, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and emergency systems while revamping concourses and locker rooms. Further plans revealed in February 2026 include expanding the team store, increasing lower bowl seating, creating outdoor connected spaces, and overhauling suites across every level to ensure the venue remains competitive well into the next century.

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