- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Address: 400 West Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801
- Capacity: 18,846 (basketball)
- Preceded By: Amway Arena
- Year Opened: 2010
- Occupants: Orlando Magic
- Parking: Parking available for purchase
The Amway Center opened its doors in 2010 and is one of the NBA's newest arenas. As home to the Orlando Magic, the venue houses one of the most competitive teams in the Eastern Conference and sits in the heart of downtown Orlando. With a seating capacity of more than 20,000 seats, the building boasts various big-budget improvements that set it apart from other structures around the league. The outside of the Amway Center is defined by its large glass tower that is a jaw-dropping feature during the day and illuminated with colorful lights at night. The arena also has a large outdoor balcony that's twice the size of the building's basketball court, to allow fans to enjoy a bit of the Florida fresh air.
The Amway Center was built to replace the old Amway Arena, which had housed the Orlando Magic since they entered the league in 1989. The structure's facade is a huge upgrade over the older concrete structure, and the inside of the arena is filled with a number of modern improvements. The Amway Center offers spacious concourses, concessions on every floor, and one of the largest scoreboards in the NBA - weighing in at an astonishing 40 tons!
While the Orlando Magic have only played one season in the Amway Center, the team has given fans plenty to cheer about since it opened. The Magic has been a consistent fixture in the NBA playoffs throughout the 2000s behind the strength of Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Rashard Lewis. The team even made it to the NBA Finals in 2009, but were knocked off by the juggernaut Los Angeles Lakers in five games. While the Magic have hung numerous division championship banners from the rafters, fans are still waiting for the team to achieve its ultimate goal of winning an NBA title.
The Amway Center is also one of the most cutting-edge concert facilities in the state of Florida, and it has housed various big acts in its short history. Bon Jovi set an attendance record at the arena in May of 2011.
The city of Orlando has countless entertainment opportunities, but the Amway Center offers a new generation of sporting events and enthralling shows that are sure to please.