San Jose Sharks Arena

The San Jose Sharks are an NHL team based in San Jose, California, competing in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. They were founded on May 9, 1990, and began playing in the 1991–92 season. After starting at the Cow Palace, they moved to the SAP Center, known as "the Shark Tank," in 1993. The team is affiliated with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) and Wichita Thunder (ECHL).

The Sharks were the first NHL team in the San Francisco Bay Area since the California Golden Seals relocated in 1976. They reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and have won six Pacific Division titles. The Sharks also secured the Presidents' Trophy in 2008–09 for the best regular-season record.

What is the name of the San Jose Sharks Arena?

According to the San Jose Area Authority, the SAP Center at San Jose is the home to the San Jose Sharks. The arena opened in September 1993 and has since welcomed over 35 million visitors. The arena is located at the west end of Downtown San Jose, known for its distinctive glass pyramid entrances and stainless steel facade. It measures 425 feet by 425 feet in length and stands 117 feet high. The Center can accommodate 17,500 for hockey games and 18,500 for basketball, concerts, and other events.

The venue features an open concourse, a club area, executive suites, and a penthouse lounge for both social and professional events. The San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, showcasing 120 bronze plaques of inductees, is also displayed along the concourse. Parking is ample, with over 1,600 spaces on-site and more than 8,000 within half a mile. Public transit options include Caltrain and Valley Transportation Authority services.

The arena is owned by the City of San Jose and operated by Sharks Sports & Entertainment, with oversight by the Arena Authority, which manages events and ongoing facility improvements.

San Jose Sharks Arena History/San Jose Sharks Arena construction and cost

The history of the SAP Center at San Jose began in the mid-1980s when a group of local citizens, Fund Arena Now (FAN), worked with city officials to secure funding for a new arena. After a public vote in 1988, which narrowly passed, the city moved forward with plans to build the facility. In 1991, San Jose was awarded an NHL expansion franchise, and construction of the arena began. However, it was soon discovered that the design wasn't suitable for both NHL and NBA use, leading to additional upgrades to meet NHL standards. The arena was completed in 1993 and was initially named "San Jose Arena."

In 1996, the arena briefly hosted the Golden State Warriors during renovations to their Oakland home arena. The arena went through several name changes after that. In 2001, it became "Compaq Center at San Jose," and then in 2002, it was renamed "HP Pavilion" after HP acquired Compaq. In 2013, SAP purchased the naming rights, renaming it "SAP Center at San Jose," and in 2022, the arena received an upgraded video display system. In 2023, a new penthouse lounge was added, slightly reducing the seating capacity for hockey games.

The construction of the SAP Center began on June 28, 1990, and the arena officially opened on September 7, 1993. The construction cost was $162.5 million at the time, which is approximately $379 million in 2023 dollars.

Where is the SAP Center?

According to the San Jose Area Authority, the SAP Center is located in Downtown San Jose, California, at the west end of the city. The address is:

SAP Center at San Jose 525 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA.

San Jose Sharks Arena capacity

According to the San Jose Area Authority, The SAP Center at San Jose has a seating capacity of 17,500 for hockey games and 18,500 for basketball, concerts, and other events. The venue is designed to accommodate a wide range of sports and entertainment, making it one of the most popular destinations in North America.

San Jose Sharks Arena seating chart

According to Tickpick, The SAP Center, home of the San Jose Sharks, has a seating capacity of 17,562 for hockey games. It is divided into multiple sections with varying views. The lower level is ideal for seeing plays develop, and sections like 102, 114, 116, and 128 offer excellent club seating options. The Sharks' bench is in front of sections 101 and 128, while the visitors' bench is near sections 101 and 102. The penalty box is in section 115. Premium seating includes club areas and Penthouse Lofts for corporate events. For accessibility, ADA seating is available in various areas with folding chairs provided for guests.

What is the parking cost at San Jose Sharks Arena?

According to Parking Access, Parking at the SAP Center in San Jose typically costs between $15 to $25 for event parking. The ABC Lot and Delmas Lot charge $25, while the Comerica and Alma Lots offer parking for $15. It's recommended to pre-book parking to secure a spot and potentially reduce costs. For those with special needs, limited ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Alternative parking options nearby, such as the Market & San Pedro Square Garage, charge a flat $10 on event days.

San Jose Sharks Arena's notable events

The SAP Center in San Jose has hosted a wide range of notable events. In 2006, it set a record for the most tickets sold to non-sporting events in the Western U.S. The arena hosted the 1997 NHL All-Star Game, the 1996 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and multiple NCAA events, including the Women's Final Four in 1999 and several rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. It also held major events like UFC 139 in 2011, ArenaBowl XVI in 2002, and the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals.

SAP Center has been a key venue for MMA, hosting numerous Strikeforce and Bellator events, as well as UFC events. Other major events include the 2012 and 2016 USA Gymnastics Olympic Trials, WWE Pay-Per-Views, and the 2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions. The arena has also hosted five U.S. Figure Skating Championships.