For 28 seasons and 1,157 games, the Kings have called their current building home. On Saturday, the squad will play for the final time in a place that holds many memories for players, coaches, staff and fans alike.
When the Kings first moved to Sacramento, they resided in a temporary arena (ARCO Arena I) for three seasons while the team’s long-term venue was being constructed. Since the doors of ARCO Arena II first opened in 1988, the Kings and basketball fans in this region have made the building their home away from home.
The combination of entertaining basketball and immeasurable passion from the Sacramento faithful created a raucous and electric atmosphere throughout the building’s 28-year history.
Not only has the team’s home arena been regarded as the loudest place to play in the NBA, but it has also been recognized by Guinness World Records as home of the loudest indoor crowd roar.
During a Nov. 2013 game against the Detroit Pistons, Kings fans obliterated the previous record of 106.6 decibels set by Milwaukee Bucks in 2008 by reaching a deafening level of 124.9 decibels.
However, this era in Kings history will come to an end as the fans and organization bid Sleep Train Arena farewell on Saturday.
There will be surely be some smiles, cheers, and tears throughout the festivities scheduled to be held before, during, and after the final game.
Besides the action on the court, there will also be special appearances from a number of people who made the building special, including players, coaches, and executives from every Kings era, as well as members of the 2005 WNBA Champion Monarchs.
These honorable guests will be featured at halftime and some will appear before the game at the MillerCoors Fan Zone from 4-7 p.m. PDT. In addition, there will also be interactive games, giveaways, and a beer garden for fans to enjoy leading up to the exciting conclusion of the final game at Sleep Train Arena.
Once the final buzzer sounds, there will also be opportunities for fans to soak in the atmosphere and reminisce one last time in the arena with a postgame presentation, on-court photo opportunities, and much more.
All information for Saturday’s events can be found by clicking here.
As for what lies ahead for the purple and black on the court, the Kings will be taking on the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder for their fourth and final meeting of the season.
This will be a fitting final home opponent for Sactown, as the first game ever played in Sleep Train Arena pitted the Kings against the Seattle SuperSonics - who moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 to become the present-day Thunder.
In the opening game of ARCO Arena II on November 8, 1988, the Kings fell to the Sonics 97-75 before a sell-out crowd of 16,517 – seating was later increased to its current capacity of 17,317.
There’s no doubt that all in attendance on Saturday will be making their presence felt within these walls for one last time.
As this organization, this team, and this city prepare to open a new and exciting chapter in Kings history, they can look forward to be one last hurrah in the place that’s been home for so many years.
- Sacramento has hosted 12 NBA Playoff series on its home court, including memorable battles against the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Seattle SuperSonics and Minnesota Timberwolves.
- The Kings all-time record on their home court (including the playoffs) is 644-503.
- ARCO Arena hosted 354 consecutive sellout games from 1999-2007. The Kings also had a streak of 497 consecutive sellouts from the opening game in the 1985-86 season through the 1996-97 season. Both streaks rank in the top ten all time in the NBA for consecutive sellouts.
- DeMarcus Cousins set the record for most points scored by a Kings player in this arena with his 56-point performance earlier this season against the Charlotte Hornets.
- Two members of the Thunder currently hold records in the 28-year history of this arena. Guard Russell Westbrook holds the record for most free throws made by a Kings opponent with 20 in one game and forward Serge Ibaka is tied with Manute Bol for most blocks by an opponent with 10 in a single game.
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