FedExForum is a downtown Memphis, Tennessee arena that opened on September 6, 2004, replacing the Memphis Pyramid as the city’s premier basketball venue. Built on Beale Street in the heart of Memphis’s entertainment district, the arena has served as the home of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team since its debut.
Owned by the City of Memphis and operated by Memphis Basketball, LLC, the $250 million facility spans about 805,850 square feet across a 14-acre downtown site. FedExForum is known for pioneering a see-through shot clock design later adopted league-wide by the NBA, and its interior decor pays tribute to Memphis’s deep musical heritage, blending sports and the city’s blues and soul roots into one venue.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), Memphis Tigers men’s basketball (NCAA)
- Location: 191 Beale Street, Downtown Memphis, Tennessee
- Opened: September 6, 2004
- Capacity: about 16,800 (basketball) / up to 18,119-19,000 (concerts)
- Owner: City of Memphis
- Construction Cost: about $250 million (roughly $426 million in 2025 dollars)
- Naming Rights: FedEx, for a reported $92 million deal
Game Day at FedExForum
Sitting a block from the famous Beale Street entertainment district, FedExForum lets fans pair a Grizzlies game or Tigers matchup with Memphis’s live blues clubs and restaurants just steps from the arena doors. The building’s design reflects that connection, weaving musical imagery and Memphis history through its concourses and public spaces rather than treating the arena as a stand-alone sports box.
On the court, FedExForum became known early on for a technical first: a see-through shot clock that let fans and broadcasters see the clock face from any angle. The NBA later adopted similar transparent shot-clock designs across the league, making the Memphis arena an early influence on how the game is presented in modern buildings.
More Than Basketball
Beyond hosting the Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers basketball, FedExForum functions as the city’s primary large-scale concert and event venue, with configurations that push capacity up toward 19,000 for touring artists. Its downtown location and connection to the Pyramid’s former role make it central to Memphis’s modern sports and entertainment identity.
The arena replaced the Memphis Pyramid, which had opened in 1991 and struggled to meet the needs of an NBA franchise after the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis in 2001. Construction of FedExForum was completed despite a disruptive 2003 derecho windstorm that hit the region during the build.
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FedExForum FAQs
What teams play at FedExForum?
FedExForum is the home arena of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the University of Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team, both playing there since the venue opened in 2004.
When did FedExForum open?
FedExForum opened on September 6, 2004, replacing the Memphis Pyramid as the city’s primary basketball venue.
How many people does FedExForum hold?
Capacity is about 16,800 for basketball and can expand to roughly 18,119-19,000 for concerts, depending on the floor configuration.
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Photo: Marco Espino-Ovalle / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.