DESCRIPTION: Anchor to more than $8 billion in redevelopment, T-Mobile Center is Kansas City’s award-winning home for live entertainment and sports. Since opening in 2007, the arena has generated more than $1.01 billion in economic impact for the Kansas City area.
ADDRESS: 1407 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, Mo.
LOCATION: Downtown
PHONE: 816-949-7100
WEBSITE: www.tmobilecenter.com
HIGHLIGHTS:
HOURS: The Price Chopper Box Office at T-Mobile Center is open on event days starting at 10 a.m. Visit t-mobilecenter.com for current box office hours.
ADMISSION: Ticket prices vary by event. Visit t-mobilecenter.com for information on purchasing tickets.
ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: More than one million guests attend events at T-Mobile Center each year.
HISTORY: The arena was developed through a public/private partnership between the city of Kansas City, Mo., and Anschutz Entertainment Group. AEG operates some of the world's finest arenas, including STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and London's world-class arena, The O2.
The venue was designed by a collaboration of KC-based architect firms called the Downtown Arena Design Team, including representatives from Populous, Ellerbe Becket, 360 Architecture and Rafael Architects. The CBE portion of the complex was designed by ESI Design, best known for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio.
In August 2004, citizens approved a ballot initiative to fund the arena through hotel, motel and rental car fees. Construction broke ground in June 2005 and was completed fall 2007. A special performance by Elton John on Oct. 13, 2007, was the first publicly-ticketed event. In its first 60 days of operation, Sprint Center welcomed more than 400,000 guests at 38 events.
Now known as T-Mobile Center, the venue has hosted the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship in each year of operation with the exception of 2009. The championship is slated to remain in Kansas City through 2025. T-Mobile Center has also hosted the first and second rounds as well as Midwest Regional of the NCAA Men’s Championship, regional rounds of the NCAA Women’s Championship, NCAA Women’s Volleyball Final Four and countless first class concerts and family shows.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: T-Mobile Center’s 14 concession areas feature a variety of food and drinks. Before or after a show, check out the restaurants at the adjacent Kansas City Power & Light District, where the dining options range from an Irish pub to steaks and seafood.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES: The hands-on, high-energy exhibits at The College Basketball Experience recreate the intensity of a college basketball game.
DID YOU KNOW: The arena’s “glass bowl” exterior is made up of more than 2,200 panes of glass, each weighing between 700-750 pounds.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Take the MAX to the Arena stop or take the Kansas City Streetcar to the Power & Light stop (14th & Main).
PARKING: More than 20,000 parking spots are within 10 blocks of the arena. For a map of available downtown parking, visit T-Mobile Center’s website. When purchasing tickets at the Price Chopper Box Office at T-Mobile Center during non-event hours, 15-minute parking is available in the parking lot near Oak Street.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Shani Tate Ross, Vice President of tickets sales, marketing and communications, 816-949-7100 or stateross@tmobilecenter.com