October 1st marked a milestone. It’s been 15 years since Orlando’s downtown got a new cultural and economic anchor with the opening of what is now known as Kia Center. In that time, the arena has done much more than host sporting events and concerts, it’s become a catalyst for revitalization, identity, and opportunity.
Since opening in 2010, the arena has hosted an impressive variety of events, NBA and ECHL games, NCAA March Madness, WWE spectacles as well as countless sell out concerts by some of the world's biggest performers all totaling more than 3.250 events! That breadth of programming has drawn nearly 20 million guests, locals and visitors alike, downtown, boosting foot traffic, and keeping the area lively beyond traditional business hours, all while generating $6.5 billion in economic output.
The venue also consistently earned praise for fan experience. Recently, Kia Center ranked among the top five arenas in the U.S. for fan satisfaction which is the highest among NBA arenas. This type of recognition helps elevate Orlando’s reputation as an entertainment city.
Strong fan sentiment teamed with around 225 events annually contributes to surrounding restaurants, bars, hotels, and the wider downtown “ecosystem." Every event is a moment when the surrounding neighborhoods benefit from increased spending, visitation, and visibility.
Fifteen years in, the Kia Center isn’t just a building, it’s a symbol and engine of downtown Orlando, since opening the venue has created more than 4,070 jobs. As we celebrate this anniversary, we would also like to say a thank you to the venue and the many teams of people who work inside it as they continue to help shape a vibrant, mixed-use, inclusive downtown.