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A new study has revealed that Madison Square Garden (MSG) is the best-rated NBA arena, earning the highest praise from fans on Google and Tripadvisor. The iconic New York arena took the top spot in the rankings, with Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles securing second place and Miami’s Kaseya Center rounding out the top three.
Charlott’s Spectrum Center ranks 22nd on the list with an overall score of 50.3 out of 100.
The analysis, conducted by NBA experts at Fadeaway World, rated each arena based on Google and Tripadvisor ratings, total review counts, and the frequency of positive keywords such as “entertaining,” “hospitable,” and “incredible.” These factors were combined to create an overall score out of 100.
At the opposite end of the list, the Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves, ranked lowest, with fans rating it poorly compared to other NBA arenas.
The study highlights how fan experiences at arenas vary widely, from the historic appeal of MSG to areas where improvements might enhance the game-day atmosphere.
*The newly opened Inuit Dome was not included in the rankings due to a lack of Tripadvisor reviews at the time of the study.
Source | Fadeaway Word
1. Madison Square Garden | NYC, New York
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Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks, is ranked as the top NBA arena in the U.S., earning an overall score of 87.6 out of 100. The venue boasts an average Google rating of 4.68 out of 5 from 30,603 reviews and a 4.5-star average on Tripadvisor, with 74% of reviews featuring positive keywords.
2. Crypto.com Arena | LA, California
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Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, home to the Lakers, Clippers, and WNBA’s Sparks, ranks second among NBA arenas with a score of 82.6 out of 100. It holds an average Google rating of 4.69 and a 4.5-star average on Tripadvisor, with 76.4% of reviews featuring positive keywords.
3. Kaseya Center | Miami, Florida
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The Kaseya Center in Miami, home of the Miami Heat, ranks third among NBA arenas with a score of 80.7 out of 100. The venue holds an average Google rating of 4.7 stars and a 4.5-star average on Tripadvisor, with 74.7% of reviews featuring positive descriptors.
4. Brooklyn Nets v Orlando Magic
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Home to the Orlando Magic, the arena scores 73.4/100 with a Google rating of 4.64 stars and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, where 81.9% of reviews are positive.
5. United Center | Chicago, Illinois
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Hosting the Chicago Bulls, it scores 72.2/100 with a 4.66-star Google rating and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, with 74.8% positive reviews.
6. TD Garden | Boston, Massachusetts
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Home of the Boston Celtics, it earns 71.7/100, with a 4.63 Google rating and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, where 78.2% of reviews include positive feedback.
7. Scotiabank Arena | Toronto, Ontario
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The arena scores 71.4/100, with a 4.55 Google rating and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, and 76.6% positive reviews.
8. Barclays Center | Brooklyn, New York
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Hosting the Brooklyn Nets, the venue scores 67.3/100, with a 4.47 Google rating and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor, where 81.1% of reviews are favorable.
9. Gainbridge Fieldhouse | Indianapolis, Indiana
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The home of the Indiana Pacers scores 63.9/100, with a 4.64-star Google rating and 4.5 stars o
10. SFedExForum | Memphis, Tennessee
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FedExForum & Toyota Center – These arenas tie at 10 with a score of 63.7/100
11. Toyota Center | Houston, Texas
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FedExForum & Toyota Center – These arenas tie at 10 with a score of 63.7/100
12. Paycom Center | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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Score of 63.5/100
13. Ball Arena | Denver, Colorado
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Score of 62.7/100
14. Little Caesars Arena | Detroit, Michigan
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Little Caesars Arena & American Airlines Center – These arenas tie at 13 with a score of 61.2/100
15. American Airlines Center | Dallas, Texas
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Little Caesars Arena & American Airlines Center – These arenas tie at 13 with a score of 61.2/100
16. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse | Cleveland, Ohio
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Score of 61.1/100
17. Smoothie King Center | New Orleans, Louisiana
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Score of 60/100
18. Fiserv Forum | Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Score of 59.4/100
19. Frost Bank Center | San Antonio, Texas
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Score of 57.9/100
20. State Farm Arena | Atlanta, Georgia
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Score of 56.8/100
21. Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
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Score of 53.2/100
22. Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Score of 52.9/100
23. Chase Center | San Francisco, California
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Score of 51.9/100
24. Spectrum Center | Charlotte, North Carolina
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Score of 50.3/100
25. Footprint Center | Phoenix, Arizona
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Score of 49.3/100
26. Moda Center | Portland, Oregon
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Score of 49.1/100
27. Golden 1 Center | Sacramento, California
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Score of 48.9/100
28. Delta Center | Salt Lake City, Utah
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Score of 43.8/100
29. Target Center | Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Score of 43/100
