Toyota Center (Houston, Texas)

Toyota Center is an indoor arena located in downtown Houston, Texas. It is named after the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. The arena is home to the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association, and the former home of the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander first began to request a new arena and attempted to release the Rockets from their lease at The Summit. However, he was denied by arena owner Chuck Watson, then-owner of the Aeros, who also wanted control of a new arena. The two sides agreed to equal control over an arena in a signed deal, but the proposal was rejected by city voters in a referendum. It was not until the city and the Rockets signed an amended agreement, excluding the Aeros, that the proposal was accepted.

General information

Official website: https://www.toyotacenter.com/

Arena capacity: 18,104 spectators

Address: 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 29°45′3″N 95°21′44″W

Year of construction: October 6, 2003

Construction cost: $320 million

Seating plan of Toyota Center

For impressive views of the court and an upscale experience at a Rockets game, consider club seats on the lower level of the Toyota Center. Entertain a client over cocktails and dinner or simply bring the family for a fun night of Houston basketball.

Club Seats come with access to the Rockets Club featuring views of the court, a private bar, plasma televisions, club-only restrooms and upscale amenities. The stadium seats are extra wide with a cup holder and additional legroom for added comfort.

Clutch’s Corner

Fans seated in this section will receive a free Clutch Crown. Clutch is also guaranteed to visit this section during the game and entertain the kids and fans who are seated here.

Courtside

Rows A-D in sideline sections are courtside seats with club access, lounge access and other amenities.

Rows AA and A in baseline sections are courtside seats with club access, lounge access and other amenities.

Red Rowdies

Section 114 is made up of a fanatical group of Rockets fans known as the Red Rowdies. Visiting fans may want to avoid sitting near this section.

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Section 422:

• Clutch’s Corner Section;
• Family section with visits from the Rocket mascot, Clutch;
• Likely to be a lot of silly string and streamers to keep the kids entertained at all times!

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Sections 106, 107, 108 and 119:

• Amazing views of the action from along the sidelines of the court;
• Access to club lounge with upscale bar and dining options;
• Extra leg room when sitting in your seat.

Recommended Seats for Partying and Socializing

Section 114:

• Red Rowdies Section
• Place in the stadium designated for loud fans to be obnoxious throughout the game
• Perfect for socializing and drinking alcohol while watching the game

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Sections 409 and 426:

• Great elevated view from near mid-court;
• Small sections allow for quick trips to the concourse and not missing much of the action;
• Best views are from the rows near the front of the section.

Where to buy tickets?

If you experience problems purchasing tickets through any published means, please contact Customer Support desk.

Buy Tickets Online – www.toyotacenter.com/events.

The Toyota Center Box Office is located at Toyota Center, on the La Branch Street side of the arena.

Tickets may be purchased via phone. Please have your credit card information on hand when purchasing.

Additional information for patrons with special needs is available at the online Accessibility Guide. Toll-free numbers are valid in the US and Canada.

Like most NBA games, ticket prices at the Toyota Center vary wildly. On any given game night, you can expect to spend anywhere from $29 to $3,500 for a single game ticket (depending on where you want to sit, of course). For food, you can expect to spend as much as $20 by yourself, and more if you are with friends or family; it is an investment to attend an NBA game these days.

However, as well as the Rockets have been playing of late, and with the chance to see a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate in James Harden, in a setting like the Toyota Center, it is definitely worth the money you will spend.

How to get there?

Parking

The Toyota Tundra Garage is located at 1515 Jackson Street Houston, TX 77003.

Parking is not available for non-passholders on Houston Rockets game days.

Toyota Center features a dedicated 2,500-space, seven-story parking garage. The Toyota Tundra Garage includes a private sky bridge entrance for premium guests. Additionally, more than 10,000 total parking spots are within just a few blocks.

Details concerning accessible parking, as well as many other topics for those with special needs, can be found in our Accessibility Guide.

Directions

Traveling Us-59 N

Toyota Center:

• Exit Gray Ave / Pierce Ave and proceed north to Gray Street;
• Gray Street west to San Jacinto Street north;
• San Jacinto Street north to Leeland Street east;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit Gray Ave / Pierce Ave and proceed north to Gray Street;
• Gray Street west to San Jacinto Street north to McKinney Street;
• McKinney Street east for surface lot parking or to Avenida de las Americas for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit Polk St and proceed north on Chartres Street to Capitol Street;
• Capitol Street west for surface lot parking or to Avenida de las Americas for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Traveling Us-59 S

Toyota Center:

• Exit Jackson St and proceed south to Congress Street;
• Congress Street west to Fannin Street;
• Fannin Street south to Leeland Street;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit Jackson St and proceed south to Congress Street;
• Congress Street west to La Branch Street;
• La Branch Street south to surface lot parking or McKinney Street for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• McKinney Street east to Avenida de las Americas south;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Traveling I-45 N

Toyota Center:

• Exit Houston Ave / Memorial Dr and proceed north to Memorial Dr;
• Memorial Drive east onto Rusk Street;
• Rusk Street east to Fannin Street;
• Fannin Street south to Leeland Street;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit Houston Ave / Memorial Dr and proceed north to Memorial Dr;
• Memorial Drive east onto Rusk Street;
• Rusk Street east to surface lot parking or Avenida de las Americas for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Traveling I-45 S

Toyota Center:

• Exit McKinney St and proceed east to Fannin Street;
• Fannin Street south to Leeland Street;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit McKinney St and proceed east;
• McKinney Street east to surface lot parking or Avenida de las Americas for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Traveling I-10 E

Toyota Center:

• Exit I-45 S Galveston;
• Exit McKinney St and proceed east to Fannin Street;
• Fannin Street south to Leeland Street;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit Smith Street and proceed south to McKinney Street;
• McKinney Street east to surface lot parking or Avenida de las Americas for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Traveling I-10 W

Toyota Center:

• Exit US-59 S Downtown;
• Exit Hamilton St and proceed south to Congress Street;
• Congress Street west to Fannin Street;
• Fannin Street south to Leeland Street;
• Leeland Street east to Tundra Parking Garage or surface lot parking.

George R. Brown Convention Center / Discovery Green:

• Exit US-59 S Downtown;
• Exit Hamilton St and proceed south to Congress Street;
• Congress Street west to La Branch Street;
• La Branch Street south to surface lot parking or McKinney Street for Convention Center Parking Garage;
• McKinney Street east to Avenida de las Americas south;
• Avenida de las Americas south for Convention Center Parking Garage.

Public Transportation

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas operates various routes near and around Toyota Center. For information concerning these services, contact METRO or online at www.ridemetro.org.

For guests with disabilities, METRO offers 100 percent accessibility on its buses. METRO also provides paratransit service, via METROLift, for those who cannot physically ride one of its fixed routes. For detailed information about these services, contact METRO by phone or via email.

Uber

We have also partnered with Uber to make it easier for you to arrive at the game on time! Our Uber Zone is along Bell St. in front of the Bell St. Entrance for pickup and drop-off.

Preferred Restaurants & Hotels

​On behalf of the Tilman J. Fertitta family, below are some recommended Landry’s Inc. restaurants and hotels while visiting downtown Houston.

Grotto

1001 Avenida De Las Americas
Houston, Texas 77010

Enjoy authentic Italian cuisine in a warm, entertaining atmosphere that will transport you to the cozy setting of a trattoria in the Old Country. At Grotto, everything is homemade on premise. The constantly evolving menu is based on season and availability of superb ingredients, yet Grotto always offers the classics that patrons have been enjoying for years.

Mccormick & Schmick’s

1201 Fannin Street
Houston, Texas 77002

McCormick & Schmick’s menu is printed twice daily, featuring the signature “Fresh List” highlighting an impressive number of fresh seafood varieties, in addition to aged steaks, poultry, entrée salads and pasta. McCormick & Schmick’s commitment to local freshness is apparent in the seasonally inspired dishes and regionally inspired preparations offered.

The Post Oak Hotel At Uptown Houston

1600 West Loop South
Houston, Texas 77027

The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston is the city’s only AAA Five-Diamond destination boasting elegant accommodations masterfully blended with extensive conference space, prominent office space, designer fashion, signature dining and sophisticated amenities all in one tower.

The 700,000-square-foot tower embraces every desire of savvy business and leisure travelers alike. Add commanding views of downtown Houston, the unmatched culinary excellence of Mastro’s, the two-story Rolls-Royce showroom and direct helicopter pad access, The Post Oak Hotel is sure to satisfy even the most discerning taste.

The Westin Houston Downtown

1520 Texas Avenue
Houston, Texas 77002

A refreshing stay awaits you at The Westin Houston Downtown. The hotel is situated in the heart of the city, just across the street from Minute Maid Park and within walking distance of the George R. Brown Convention Center and Toyota Center. Spacious, pet-friendly rooms and suites offer everything you need to unwind and revive your mind, body and spirit.

Where to eat?

The Toyota Center has a multitude of concessions options; there is something here for virtually everyone’s tastes. Upscale hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, French fries, and tacos are found at multiple stands throughout each of the concourses, and these are above and beyond the traditional stadium fare, and should prove to be more than satisfying. There are also several alcoholic beverage options on each level as well, including beer, wine, and frozen margaritas.

However, the above is all a prologue to the new “star” concessions attraction at the Toyota Center. A new food “conveyance system” has been unveiled this season, and it is truly a game changer for sports fans: the Grub Tub! This is a truly monumental achievement in game time dining; in essence, the Grub Tub is a standard 32-ounce souvenir cup, but instead of a plastic lid, a bowl of food sits atop it, which the straw pokes through.

The ingenious design of the Grub Tub allows for the one-handed consumption of every manner of stadium food – hot dogs, French fries, nachos, popcorn, or hot wings; all are available as options. Gone are the Neanderthal days of scooting through an aisle to your seat and spilling food on your fellow fans! The Toyota Center is the first stadium in the NBA to offer this option.

Atmosphere

The Toyota Center is a great venue for basketball. The arena pays homage to the team’s glory-filled past, while remaining firmly entrenched in the present day. Nods to the great Rockets teams of the past are scattered throughout the venue, especially as the Rockets are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a franchise this season.

Chants of “Red Nation” and “Clutch City” abound from the opening tip to the final buzzer. The stadium PA announcer plays perfectly to the crowd, virtually mumbling the opposing players’ names while boisterously shouting out the Rockets’ names as they score.

The atmosphere is also greatly enhanced on the periphery of the game action, namely by the Rockets Power Dancers – the Houston Rocket’s award-winning dance troop – and Clutch “The Rockets Bear,” the team’s oft-hilarious mascot. Kids of all ages will enjoy the perfectly choreographed dance routines and the antics of the beloved mascot.

Neighborhood

The Toyota Center is right in the heart of Houston’s downtown area. Within walking distance is Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, and BBVA Compass Stadium, home of the Houston Dynamo and Texas Southern Tigers football team. Also within shouting distance is the George R. Brown Convention Center, as well as literally dozens of hotels and restaurants.

If you’re looking for ways to spend the afternoon before or after a Rockets game, you really would have a hard time finding a better place to spend it than in Houston’s Museum District. This area is home to nearly 20 museums, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and Houston Children’s Museum. Hermann Park is also one of the great green spaces in the entire state, and is home to the Houston Zoo.

You can also while away your time at the Houston Galleria, just down the road off I-35. This mammoth shopping mall is home to an ice skating rink, as well as dozens of high-end shopping and dining experiences.

Fans

Since the days of Calvin Murphy, Hakeem Olajuwon, and the Houston Summit, Rockets fans have been considered among the most loyal in the NBA. Houston fans have seen some great years, including the team’s back-to-back title winning seasons in 1994 and 1995, as well as some lean years, but Red Nation has always come out to support its team.

Rockets fans have proven to be knowledgeable about the game, and respectful of eras past. During any game, you’ll find fans decked out in Olajuwon, Drexler, Yao, and Harden jerseys. Also, everywhere you look, you’ll see red and gold.

During their 50th anniversary season, the team retired Hall of Famer Yao Ming’s jersey, and is conducting a series of bobble-head nights to honor greats of the past. They have also commissioned a coffee table book celebrating the team’s history.

Arena interior

The arena can seat 18,104 for a basketball game, 17,800 for ice hockey games, and 19,300 for concerts. The price for courtside seats to a Rockets game in the new arena were raised by as much as 50% compared to prices in the team’s old home, while upper-deck seat prices were lowered.

It has 103 luxury suites and 2,900 club seats (Sections 105-109, Frost Bank West Club; Sections 118-122, Frost Bank East Club). The Rockets East & West Clubs feature upscale concessions, extra wide seats, full private bar featuring premium wine and beverage selections and concierge service. The adjacent 2,500-space Toyota Tundra garage is connected to the arena by a private skybridge that can be accessed by Suite, Court-side and Club Seat holders.

Additionally, the floor level features three separate private club lounges for access from court-side seat holders and floor seat concert goers. Lexus Lounge and Golden Nugget Club are on the west side of the floor level and the Bogarts Platinum Lounge is located on the east side of the floor level. All feature upscale amenities including multiple flat screen televisions, private bar, restrooms, and plush seating. The Lexus Lounge has its own pool tables and all three court-side lounges feature numerous private court-side suites.

Toyota Center also features the Sterling Vineyards Red & White Wine Bistro, located on the lower suites level on the south side of the arena. The restaurant features a huge dining room, private bar, two twin 1,500 bottle wine towers and views of the arena floor.

Levy Restaurants manages concession services at the arena, and offers fast food on the main concourses, while also catering a VIP restaurant for Suite and Club Seat holders. Alexander personally chose colors for the restaurant to help customers feel “warm and comfortable”, and Rockets president George Postolos said that the Rockets looked “for a relationship with the people that attend events in our venue”.

Construction

According to the agreement signed, the city of Houston bought the land for the arena and an adjoining parking garage, which was near the George R. Brown Convention Center, and paid for it by selling bonds and borrowing $30 million. Morris Architects, designed the 750,000-square-foot (70,000 m2) building, and Hunt Construction was contracted to build the arena. A building formerly owned by Houston Lighting and Power Company was demolished to make way for the arena, and two streets were closed for the duration of the construction. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 31, 2001, and construction continued for 26 months.

At the request of Alexander, the arena was built 32 feet (9.8 m) below street level, so fans would not have to walk up stairs to reach their seats. To sink the arena, $12 million was spent to excavate 31,500 cubic yards of dirt over four months, which was the largest excavation in Houston history. Concrete was poured for the foundation throughout the summer and structural work began in October.

The roof was set on in December, as work continued inside, with a peak workforce of 650. Then a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the official opening of the arena. The total cost of construction was $235 million, with the city paying $182 million, and the Rockets adding $43 million for additions and enhancements.