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OKC Thunder Announces Major 15-Year Long Partnership For Latest Project

Originally posted on AirJordanChronicles | By Utsav Sinha | Last updated Mar 25, 2026 8:22 AM ET

The OKC Thunder recently announced that their new downtown arena will be named the Continental Coliseum. It was also revealed that a 15-year naming rights agreement was signed with the Oklahoma-based oil and gas company, Continental Resources.

The partnership is an expansion of a long-standing relationship between the two organizations; the OKC Thunder and Continental Resources have been working together since as far back as 2014. Continental previously secured naming rights for the Courtside Club at Thunder games and a jersey sponsorship for the Oklahoma City Blue.

The post’s caption, highlighting the arena upgrade, read, “We’re proud to announce Continental Coliseum, a 15-year signature partnership with Continental Resources for the new state-of-the-art arena rising in downtown OKC and set to open in 2028.”

It continued, “As a company founded and built in Oklahoma, Continental shares the Thunder’s deep commitment to the community. Together, we are committed to OKC, focused on the future, and excited to see Continental Coliseum come to life!”

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The Continental Coliseum is a $900 million project rising in downtown Oklahoma City. It sits directly across the street from the current arena, on the former Prairie Surf Studios and Cox Convention Center site.

Demolition is nearly complete, with a groundbreaking set for March 26, 2026, and a targeted opening in late summer 2028.

From Paycom Center to Continental Coliseum

The OKC Thunder’s decision to leave the Paycom Center, their home since 2008, is driven by the need for a modern facility that aligns with the team’s long-term vision and the evolving standards of the NBA.

Having been functioning since June 8, 2002, the arena initially known as the Ford Center, was part of the original MAPS capital improvement program.

It has hosted the OKC Thunder since the 2008-09 season, along with the NBA Hornets (after Hurricane Katrina), the Blazers hockey team, and Yard Dawgz arena football.

The building has hosted more than 1,200 events and welcomed over 10 million visitors.

And though Paycom signed a 15-year deal in 2021, both sides agreed to end it early so the new arena could secure its own name.

That being said, Paycom Center will remain completely operational for games all the way up to the end of the 2027-28 NBA season.

This article first appeared on AirJordanChronicles and was syndicated with permission.

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