News Summary
Anaheim’s Honda Center is set to receive a $1 billion renovation entirely funded by private investment, enhancing its facilities and guest experience. The upgrades, led by the Samueli Family, aim for completion by 2027 while keeping the venue operational. Key features of the renovation include new suites, improved accessibility, and expanded parking facilities. This project will elevate the Honda Center’s status in the global live entertainment scene and align with the larger OCViBE mixed-use development.
Anaheim will see significant upgrades to the Honda Center, the home venue of the Anaheim Ducks, as it embarks on a $1 billion renovation funded entirely through private investment. The renovation is expected to be completed by 2027 while allowing the venue to remain operational during the upgrades. The project is led by the Samueli Family, owners of the Ducks, and aims to enhance the guest experience, positioning the Honda Center as a world-class facility.
Bill Foltz, CEO of OC Sports and Entertainment, emphasized the project’s importance to both Anaheim and Orange County’s reputation as a global live entertainment destination. The renovation will transform various aspects of the venue, including the introduction of a five-story entrance on the south side and the installation of a large digital display for outdoor viewing parties and events.
Key Features of the Renovation
The renovations will also focus on improving accessibility, with new escalators being added. A variety of new food and beverage options will feature self-service stations to provide enhanced convenience for fans. The renovation will introduce new suites for private events, while existing luxury suites will be updated.
Additionally, the Honda Center’s upper deck will experience a considerable increase in points-of-sale, aiming for a 60% improvement. This area will also see new food and beverage options, alongside automated beer pouring systems. There will be an overall reduction of the number of suites from 80 to 68, with a focus on creating smaller four-person opera boxes.
Parking and Accessibility Improvements
A crucial aspect of the renovation includes expanding parking facilities. Three new parking garages are being developed, which will raise Honda Center’s total parking capacity by nearly 60%, accommodating up to 6,000 vehicles. A new frictionless parking system will enable smoother entry without the need to stop, enhancing the overall experience for attendees.
Background and Context
This ambitious renovation aligns with the greater $4 billion mixed-use district known as OCViBE, currently under development surrounding the Honda Center. The Samueli Family’s investment exemplifies their commitment to the local community and the fans of the Ducks and other events held at the venue. This investment is being characterized as one of the largest private investments in a publicly owned arena in history.
OC Sports & Entertainment, which has managed the Honda Center since 2018 under a contract extended through 2064, will oversee the renovation process. Work has already started, with a considerable portion expected to be completed in time for the venue to host volleyball events during the 2028 L.A. Summer Olympics.
Architectural plans for a second phase of the renovation are set to be submitted in Fall 2025, with construction scheduled to commence in Spring 2026. Upgrades to the back-of-house operations will also reflect a substantial investment of approximately $70 million, which will expand the underground loading dock and improve rigging systems for larger productions.
The Honda Center, which has been operational for over 31 years, is poised for a transformation that not only modernizes its facilities but enhances the overall guest experience. With aesthetic improvements planned for the venue’s exterior, including a thin LED film facade for dynamic displays, the Honda Center’s renovations will align with the nearby OCViBE developments, contributing to a vibrant entertainment landscape in Anaheim.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: $1 Billion Investment to Modernize Honda Center
- NBC Los Angeles: Honda Center to Undergo $1 Billion Makeover
- Sports Business Journal: Anaheim’s Honda Center Getting $1.1B Renovation
- Lariat News: OC ViBE Construction Underway in Anaheim
- NHL: Honda Center Announces New Features for 2024-25 Season
- Wikipedia: Honda Center
- Google Search: Honda Center Anaheim
- Google Scholar: Honda Center renovation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Anaheim
- Google News: Honda Center
