Ball Arena plans $135M makeover
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A rendering shows the planned renovation of Ball Arena's east entrance. Rendering: Courtesy of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
A $135 million renovation is expected to transform Ball Arena, giving the 27-year-old venue a glassier, more modern look.
Why it matters: The investment offers one of the first tangible signs of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment's sweeping redevelopment vision for the area coming to life.
Driving the news: KSE announced Friday that renovations will expand the arena's east entrance with a glass facade, new escalators and a team store.
- The project will also widen crowded concourses, entry and exit points, upgrade checkout technology and add three premium clubs.
- This phase of the redevelopment is expected to wrap before the Nuggets, Avalanche and Mammoth begin their 2028-29 seasons, per KSE.
What they're saying: "The result of this project will be a world-class venue that offers a legendary guest experience night after night," KSE vice chairman Josh Kroenke said in a statement.
The fine print: KSE has not said how the renovation will be financed or whether any public funding would be involved.
- A spokesperson did not immediately respond to Axios Denver's request for comment.
The big picture: The upgrade comes as KSE prepares to transform the sea of parking lots surrounding Ball Arena into a new downtown neighborhood.
Catch up quick: The Denver City Council approved KSE's redevelopment plans in 2024, clearing the way for roughly 10–12 million square feet of development around the arena, including thousands of homes, retail, offices and roughly 10 acres of open space.
- The district is also expected to include a hotel, restaurants, a mid-sized entertainment venue and a 3-acre central park.
State of play: As part of the 2024 deal, the Nuggets and Avalanche agreed to remain at their longtime home until at least 2050, extending previous commitments by a decade.
Between the lines: KSE is pouring serious money into a building that opened as Pepsi Center in 1999, even as other sports owners around the country pursue entirely new arenas and stadiums.
- The company already began renovating 24 of Ball Arena's 89 luxury suites this summer, with the rest slated to follow in smaller batches.
- The latest plan suggests Ball Arena itself will remain the anchor — and increasingly the front door — of the sprawling new district.
What's next: KSE says it's submitting a site development plan to the city on Friday, kicking off its formal review of the renovations.