The Rockets began in 1967 as an expansion team in San Diego and moved to Houston in 1971. They have had four regular homes: the San Diego Sports Arena, Hofheinz Pavilion on the University of Houston campus, The Summit (later the Compaq Center) and, since 2003, Toyota Center in downtown Houston.
Here is every home in order, with the years the Rockets played there, what made each one matter and what stands on the site today. Each arena with a ThrillZing guide links to it.
Every Rockets Arena, 1967 to Today
- San Diego
- 1967–1971
San Diego Sports Arena
Home for all four San Diego seasons. The Rockets played the franchise's first game here in October 1967 and hosted the 1971 All-Star Game; owner Robert Breitbard's money troubles led to the sale and the move to Houston.
Today: Still standing as Pechanga Arena; the Midway Rising redevelopment plan calls for replacing it with a new arena
- Houston
- 1971–1975
Hofheinz Pavilion
The first Houston season was spread across Hofheinz, the Astrodome, AstroHall and Sam Houston Coliseum, plus games in other cities. This University of Houston arena became the full-time home while The Summit was built.
Today: Rebuilt in 2017–18 as the 7,035-seat Fertitta Center, still home of Houston Cougars basketball
1975–2003Opened in November 1975 at Greenway Plaza and renamed Compaq Center in 1998. Both Rockets NBA titles, in 1994 and 1995, came in the Summit years; the team left when Toyota Center opened in 2003.
Today: Converted into the main campus of Lakewood Church, which bought the building in 2010
Stadium history →- 2003–presentCurrent home
Opened in October 2003 in downtown Houston, after voters rejected an earlier arena deal in 1999. The city paid most of the $235 million cost, and Toyota paid $100 million for the naming rights.
Visiting guide →
Rockets Arena FAQ
Where did the Rockets play before Toyota Center?
At The Summit, from 1975 to 2003; it was renamed the Compaq Center in 1998. Before that they played at Hofheinz Pavilion on the University of Houston campus (1971–1975) and, as the San Diego Rockets, at the San Diego Sports Arena (1967–1971).
How many arenas have the Rockets had?
Four regular homes: the San Diego Sports Arena, Hofheinz Pavilion, The Summit and Toyota Center. In their first Houston season they had no arena of their own and also played at the Astrodome, AstroHall and Sam Houston Coliseum, along with “home” games in San Antonio, Waco, Albuquerque and San Diego.
Why did the Rockets leave San Diego?
Owner Robert Breitbard ran into serious financial losses, including a long tax-assessment dispute over the San Diego Sports Arena he had built and the debt on the NBA expansion fee. The team was sold in 1971 to Texas Sports Investments, which moved it to Houston.
Is The Summit still standing?
Yes. After the Rockets moved to Toyota Center in 2003, the building was leased to Lakewood Church, which bought it in 2010 and uses it as its main campus. Hofheinz Pavilion was rebuilt in 2017–18 and reopened as the Fertitta Center.
Where do the Rockets play now?
At Toyota Center in downtown Houston, their home since the 2003–04 season. It seats 18,104 for basketball.