Chase Center stands as one of San Francisco's most impressive architectural achievements, serving as both the gleaming home of the Golden State Warriors and a world-class entertainment venue in the heart of Mission Bay. Since opening its doors in September 2019, this state-of-the-art arena has transformed the city's entertainment landscape and established itself as a must-visit destination for sports fans, concert-goers, and residents alike. Beyond major events, Chase Center also hosts community-focused offerings like outdoor fitness classes, giving locals even more reasons to visit and engage with the vibrant space.
A Modern Marvel in Mission Bay
Located at the intersection of Third and 16th streets in San Francisco's rapidly evolving Mission Bay neighborhood, Chase Center occupies an impressive 11-acre site that serves as the centerpiece of a vibrant urban development known as Thrive City. The arena itself boasts a seating capacity of 18,064 for basketball games and up to 19,500 for concerts, making it one of the premier venues on the West Coast.
Chase Center's waterfront location in Mission Bay transforms San Francisco's entertainment landscape. Photo by Dale Cruse - Thanks for 10M views! on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Architectural Excellence and Design
The Chase Center represents a triumph of modern sports architecture, designed by Kansas City-based MANICA Architecture in collaboration with numerous firms to create what many consider the most luxurious arena in American sports. The facility features a striking aluminum exterior punctuated by hundreds of dart-like perforations that add visual depth to the building's curved facade. These perforations were originally designed to house interior lighting but were ultimately retained as a decorative element, complete with hidden wire strands to prevent birds from nesting.
The arena's most spectacular feature is its massive scoreboard, measuring an impressive 82 feet by 52 feet with more than 24 million pixels and 75 million LEDs. At 9,699 square feet, it claims the distinction of being the largest scoreboard in the NBA. This technological marvel can be programmed for real-time statistics, company messaging, or entertainment content, and remarkably retracts into the ceiling during concerts.
Chase Center's NBA-record scoreboard creates an immersive experience for 18,000+ fans. Photo by flrent on Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The Thrive City Experience
What truly sets Chase Center apart is its integration with Thrive City, a mixed-use entertainment district that surrounds the arena with 100,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, and community gathering areas. This 11-acre development cost $2.1 billion in total and represents one of the most ambitious privately-funded sports complexes ever undertaken.
The landscape design, crafted by SWA Group, features two major plaza spaces: a 35,000-square-foot central plaza that doubles as event space and a 25,000-square-foot triangular plaza hosting Olafur Eliasson's striking "Seeing Spheres" art installation. These outdoor areas are designed with modular elements that can be reconfigured for various activities, from farmers' markets and ice skating to car shows and community events.
Thrive City transforms into San Francisco's premier gathering place for dining and entertainment. Photo by Dale Cruse - Thanks for 10M views! on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
Art and Culture at Chase Center
Chase Center distinguishes itself through an impressive commitment to public art, most notably featuring "Seeing Spheres," the largest public artwork by renowned Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson in the United States. This installation consists of five polished steel spheres, each measuring 15.5 feet in diameter, arranged in a circle to create a walk-through house of mirrors. The spheres feature flat circular mirrors ringed with LED lights that create stunning tunnel effects when illuminated, offering visitors a unique space for reflection and social interaction.
The arena's art program extends beyond Eliasson's masterpiece to include 33 commissioned artists featured throughout the interior, with additional loans from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and works from JPMorgan Chase's extensive art collection. This cultural emphasis reinforces Chase Center's role as not just a sports venue but a true community cultural hub.
Culinary Excellence and Dining
Chase Center has revolutionized arena dining with an extensive culinary program developed in partnership with Bon Appétit Management Company. The venue features an impressive array of local and international cuisines, emphasizing fresh, from-scratch cooking that represents the diverse culinary landscape of the Bay Area.
The arena houses numerous specialty eateries, including Bayview Burgers with their signature pretzel bun burgers and Backboard Burritos featuring fresh local ingredients. Local favorites like Sarap Shop offer Filipino specialties, while establishments such as Cowgirl Creamery provide artisanal cheese selections. The venue also showcases eight "Taste Makers" – small local businesses offering everything from vegan soul food at Vegan Hood Chefs to authentic Singaporean cuisine at Da Boa Singapore.
Chase Center's culinary program celebrates Bay Area's diverse food culture with local restaurants and specialties. Photo source: chasecenter.com
Sustainable Design and Environmental Leadership
Chase Center has established itself as a leader in sustainable arena design, achieving LEED Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council in 2020. This distinction places it among only 10 NBA arenas to achieve LEED certification, with just six reaching Gold or higher levels.
The arena's environmental achievements include an impressive 87% construction waste diversion from landfills, water consumption reductions of over 84% through efficient fixtures and non-potable water systems, and energy cost reductions of 37.3% below baseline requirements. The facility also features one of San Francisco's largest rainwater reuse systems and treats all stormwater on-site before discharge.
Chase Center further demonstrates its environmental commitment by operating as a Certified Green Business of San Francisco and utilizing 100% renewable energy through CleanPowerSF. The Warriors organization was notably the first NBA team to sign the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Initiative.
Transportation and Accessibility
Getting to Chase Center represents one of San Francisco's transportation success stories, with extensive public transit options making the venue highly accessible. The UCSF/Chase Center station on the T Third Street light rail line provides direct service, with special event shuttles running every 10 minutes during events. Event tickets serve as Muni fare passes for the entire day, eliminating additional transportation costs for visitors.
Multiple transportation options include BART connections, Caltrain service to the nearby 4th and King station, and ferry service to Pier 48. The venue's location along Terry Francois Boulevard provides designated pick-up zones for rideshare services, though on-site parking remains limited with rates varying by event.
World-Class Entertainment Programming
Since its inaugural concert featuring Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony on September 6, 2019, Chase Center has established itself as a premier destination for major entertainment acts. The venue hosts approximately 200 events annually, ranging from Warriors basketball games to major concerts by artists like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, and Dua Lipa.
The arena's flexible design allows for seamless transitions between sports and entertainment configurations, with specialized theater seating options and multiple luxury suite levels. Premium amenities include 44 club suites, 32 courtside lounges, and 60 theater boxes, creating diverse experiences for different audience preferences.
Chase Center's flexible design seamlessly accommodates world-class concerts and entertainment events. Photo by lamblukas on Flickr, CC BY 2.0
A Community Asset
Perhaps most importantly, Chase Center has fulfilled its promise as a community gathering place that extends far beyond game days. Thrive City's programming includes health and wellness events with partner Kaiser Permanente, outdoor movie nights, holiday celebrations, and farmers' markets. The facility operates 365 days a year, hosting everything from yoga classes and puppy mixers to the largest Christmas tree display in San Francisco.
The development has also generated significant economic benefits for San Francisco, contributing over $14 million annually in new tax revenues while creating thousands of jobs during construction and ongoing operations. With office space housing Uber's global headquarters and numerous retail establishments, Thrive City has become a true mixed-use neighborhood destination.
For those considering [relocating to San Francisco's vibrant Mission Bay neighborhood], Chase Center and Thrive City represent the area's dynamic growth and cultural richness. The development has transformed a former industrial district into one of the city's most exciting destinations, offering residents and visitors alike access to world-class entertainment, dining, and community activities in a stunning waterfront setting.
Whether you're catching a Warriors game, attending a concert, or simply exploring the restaurants and shops of Thrive City, Chase Center stands as a testament to San Francisco's continued evolution as a world-class city. This remarkable venue successfully balances cutting-edge technology, environmental responsibility, and community engagement to create an experience that truly captures the spirit of the Bay Area.