Barclays Center | Brooklyn

Barclays Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Brooklyn, New York City. It has become one of the most iconic and versatile venues in the city since its opening in 2012. Serving as a venue for major sports events, concerts, and cultural activities, Barclays Center is an architectural and entertainment hub in the heart of Brooklyn.

History and Overview

Opened: September 21, 2012

Location: 620 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Cost: Approximately $1 billion

Architectural Design: Designed by SHoP Architects, with Ellerbe Becket/AECOM serving as the architect of record. The arena’s unique design features a weathered steel exterior, which gives it the nickname "The Rusty Turtle."

Ownership: Owned by the Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corporation and managed by BSE Global, a subsidiary of The Madison Square Garden Company.

Barclays Center is part of the larger Pacific Park development, a mixed-use urban complex that includes residential buildings, retail spaces, and office buildings. The arena’s construction was part of a significant transformation of the area, which included changes to public transportation infrastructure and the revitalization of Brooklyn's skyline.

Design and Architecture

Barclays Center’s design is striking and modern, featuring a curved, metallic exterior made from weathered steel, which contrasts with the surrounding urban landscape. The building’s unique appearance has made it a local landmark, and the open, exposed design allows it to blend into the surrounding environment, which includes both historic and new developments in Brooklyn.

Inside, the arena is equally impressive with state-of-the-art facilities. It houses 101 luxury suites, over 200 premium seats, and various VIP lounges and areas. Among the most notable is the 40/40 Club, a high-end hospitality space that combines a sports bar and upscale dining.

The seating bowl is designed to provide excellent sightlines from nearly every angle, with a steep bowl that allows for close proximity to the action. The arena’s flexible design allows it to accommodate various types of events, from sports to concerts to family shows.

Sports at Barclays Center

Barclays Center serves as the home arena for the Brooklyn Nets of the NBA and the New York Liberty of the WNBA.

Brooklyn Nets (NBA)

Arrival: The Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012, and Barclays Center has been their home ever since. The arena serves as a crucial part of the Nets’ brand and identity in Brooklyn, marking a new chapter in the team’s history.

Seating Capacity for Basketball: The arena can seat up to 17,732 fans for basketball games.

Notable Events: Barclays Center has hosted multiple high-profile NBA games, including playoff matchups, and has become a center for basketball culture in the city.

New York Liberty (WNBA)

Relocation: The New York Liberty, one of the founding teams of the WNBA, moved to Barclays Center in 2018, after spending years playing at Madison Square Garden. The move to Brooklyn gave the team a new fan base and a fresh venue to build its legacy.

Seating Capacity for WNBA: The venue can seat approximately 15,000 for women’s basketball games.

Ice Hockey (New York Islanders)

Islanders’ Stay: The New York Islanders temporarily relocated to Barclays Center from 2015 to 2020 while their new arena, UBS Arena, was under construction. Barclays Center hosted NHL games, but the venue’s configuration was not ideal for hockey, and the Islanders returned to Long Island in 2020.

Entertainment and Events

Barclays Center is a major venue for entertainment events in Brooklyn and has hosted an impressive lineup of artists and performances over the years.

Concerts

The arena is known for hosting concerts by some of the biggest names in music across genres, from rock to pop to hip hop. Notable performances include:

Jay-Z, who helped bring attention to the arena’s opening in 2012 with a series of concerts.

Beyoncé, Shakira, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay, Ariana Grande, and Kanye West have all graced the Barclays Center stage.

The arena has a seating capacity for up to 19,000 for concerts, depending on the setup.

Other Events

Boxing: Barclays Center is a regular venue for major boxing events, including bouts featuring stars like Danny Garcia, Deontay Wilder, and Errol Spence Jr..

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA): The arena has hosted UFC events, including UFC 208 and UFC 223, drawing fans from around the world.

Professional Wrestling: WWE events like SummerSlam and WrestleMania Axxess have been held at Barclays Center.

Esports: The arena has also made a name for itself in the growing world of competitive video gaming, hosting events like the Overwatch League Grand Finals and ESL One New York.

Music Festivals: Barclays Center has hosted MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and other large-scale events, helping to cement its place as a center for popular culture.

Community and Economic Impact

The opening of Barclays Center significantly transformed the Brooklyn neighborhood, bringing new economic opportunities and increasing real estate development. The center has also become a cultural hub, attracting visitors from around the world.

Transportation

Barclays Center is easily accessible via public transit:

Subway: The arena is directly connected to the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station, which serves the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R lines.

Long Island Rail Road: The adjacent Atlantic Terminal provides access to Long Island and other parts of the city.

MTA Buses: Multiple bus routes serve the area.

Impact on the Neighborhood

The arena’s construction was part of a larger urban development project, and it has contributed to the revitalization of the surrounding neighborhood, which includes Prospect Heights and Fort Greene. The area is now home to more restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces, all benefiting from the traffic the arena brings.

Notable Events and Legacy

Barclays Center has made its mark on Brooklyn’s cultural landscape, hosting a variety of historical and culturally significant events. Some of the standout moments include:

The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards.

The Barclays Center’s opening concert, featuring Jay-Z, which was a momentous event in Brooklyn’s music scene.

The 2016 Democratic National Convention’s campaign rally for Hillary Clinton.

NBA Playoffs and WNBA Finals.

Conclusion

Barclays Center is a modern and versatile venue that stands as a landmark in Brooklyn, contributing to the borough's identity as a center for both sports and culture. With its stunning architecture, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse range of events, Barclays Center continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Brooklyn’s reputation as a global cultural and entertainment hub. Whether for basketball games, concerts, or community events, Barclays Center remains a symbol of the borough’s vibrant future.