Little Caesars Arena opened on September 5, 2017, at 2645 Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, Michigan, replacing both Joe Louis Arena and The Palace of Auburn Hills as the shared home for the city’s top professional sports franchises. Designed by HOK and built at a cost of $862.9 million, the venue seats up to 19,515 for NHL hockey and 20,332 for NBA basketball.
The arena earned the ‘Sports Facility of the Year’ award at the 2018 Sports Business Awards, in part due to its striking ‘deconstructed’ design featuring a glass-roof indoor concourse that connects the arena bowl to surrounding retail and entertainment spaces — a concept branded as The District Detroit.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 2645 Woodward Ave, Midtown Detroit, Michigan
- Opened: September 5, 2017
- NHL Tenant: Detroit Red Wings
- NBA Tenant: Detroit Pistons
- Hockey Capacity: 19,515
- Basketball Capacity: 20,332
- Construction Cost: $862.9 million
- Architect: HOK
Design and Fan Experience
Unlike conventional arenas, Little Caesars Arena features a massive glass atrium that serves as a year-round indoor street, lined with concessions, bars, and retail shops accessible to fans whether or not a game is being played. The arena bowl itself includes a 5,100-square-foot centerhung scoreboard and suspended ‘gondola’ seating above the main stands, giving fans in the upper levels an unusually close view of the action.
A dedicated 37,300-square-foot practice ice rink sits within the facility complex, allowing the Red Wings to train on-site — an amenity rare among NHL arenas.
Notable Events and Milestones
In March 2025, Little Caesars Arena hosted a PWHL game that drew 14,288 spectators, setting a record for the largest professional women’s hockey crowd in the United States. The venue is also slated to welcome PWHL Detroit as a tenant starting in 2026 and a Detroit WNBA franchise in 2029, cementing its role as a hub for multiple professional sports leagues.
Since opening, the arena has hosted major concerts, NCAA events, and marquee NHL and NBA matchups, establishing itself as one of the premier entertainment destinations in the Midwest.
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Little Caesars Arena FAQs
What teams play at Little Caesars Arena?
The Detroit Red Wings (NHL) and Detroit Pistons (NBA) are the primary tenants. PWHL Detroit is set to join as a tenant starting in 2026, and a Detroit WNBA franchise is expected in 2029.
When did Little Caesars Arena open?
Little Caesars Arena opened on September 5, 2017, replacing Joe Louis Arena for the Red Wings and The Palace of Auburn Hills for the Pistons.
What is the seating capacity of Little Caesars Arena?
The arena seats 19,515 for NHL hockey games and 20,332 for NBA basketball games. Concert configurations can range from roughly 15,000 to 22,000 depending on the stage setup.
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Photo by Bartók Martin on Pexels.