State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena) was completed in 1999 and instantly improved the entertainment potential of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The building was formerly home to the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers, but since their move to Winnipeg, State Farm Arena is now solely home to the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. With 12,000 of the arena's 20,000 seats on the lower bowl level, attendees can enjoy stellar views of the court, putting the average fan very close to the action. State Farm Arena is on the east side of Atlanta near the Georgia Dome and the Georgia Convention Center. It is easily accessible from I-75, I-85, or I-20 and sports fans can also take the MARTA rail line to an event as well.
The building is known for its distinctive backlit sign that spells out the word Atlanta and dominates the roadway running alongside the structure. Additionally, designers ensured that the roof and the trusses remain in view while people are seated, to give attendees a grand sense of scale. State Farm Arena boasts some of the best acoustics in the Southeast, making it a fabulous place to catch a musical performance or another large-scale event.
The Atlanta Hawks moved into State Farm Arena in 1999 at the end of a long playoff run in the late '90s. After being knocked out of the postseason in 1999, it would be nearly a decade before the Hawks made it back to the playoffs in 2008. Since then, the Hawks have been a team with a wonderful nucleus of young talent who have surged to upset victories in the playoffs, but they have yet to take the next step in their growth as a true NBA contender and capture their first-ever title.
State Farm Arena has also become the go-to spot to house some of the biggest acts in music and entertainment around. During concerts, attendees usually opt for floor level seats, but these can be a problem if there is someone taller in front of you. With the arena's incredible acoustics, concert-goers can save a few bucks by sitting on the side of the lower bowl and enjoying the show from afar.