Toyota Center – Houston Rockets

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.43

Toyota Center 1510 Polk St Houston, TX 77002

Year Opened: 2003

Capacity: 18,055

Houston Rockets - Toyota Center

In 1971, the then San Diego Rockets relocated to Houston, giving the Lone Star State its first NBA franchise. Over the ensuing decade, stars would emerge that would help bring legitimacy to Space City’s squad, including Hall of Famers Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone, who would guide the Rockets to a conference championship in 1981.

The 1984 NBA Draft would bring Houston Cougar alum Hakeem Olajuwon, and “The Dream” would team up with fellow future Hall of Famer Ralph Sampson – the duo would be known as the “Twin Towers” – to lead the Rockets to the 1986 NBA Finals. It would be under the guidance of former player Rudy Tomjanovich and Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler that Houston would break through, capturing back-to-back NBA titles in 1994 and 1995.

At the start of the 2003-04 season, the Rockets moved into their new state-of-the-art home in downtown H-Town, Toyota Center. Stars such as Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, and James Harden have taken the court at Toyota Center, and recent seasons have seen a rise in the team’s fortunes. Through the ups and downs, Toyota Center has kept up with the times and is still a premier spot in the NBA.

Food & Beverage 4

Toyota Center boasts an impressive array of food and beverage concession offerings; fans attending games can choose from traditional offerings like burgers (cheese, plain, or bacon and cheese), hot dogs (the team often features themed dogs based on that day’s opponent), barbecue plates and sandwiches (Plates!), loaded baked potatoes, nachos, and chicken tenders.

Pizza Hut and Dippin’ Dots have stands offering pared-down menus of their wares.

Spots such as Corona Bar and Sire Spirits Social Club offer great spots for fans to grab an adult beverage and socialize during games.

The only thing keeping the score from being even higher is the cost; the lowest ticket item I could find was still about $7. The one area where you can save a few bucks is with the bottomless fountain drinks and popcorn buckets.

Atmosphere 5

The atmosphere at Toyota Center is among the best I have experienced. Right off the bat the team puts on a pre-game concert with a DJ near the main entrance, along with games and activities for fans. IN addition, inside there are multiple team stores (Rocket Shops) throughout the arena for fans to pick up souvenirs.

On the upper concourse you’ll find a great area for young fans to explore. The Sky Court offers pop-a-shot games, a court and hoops for fans to play on, and an area for younger fans to create art and signs for the game.

Also on the upper concourse, visitors can see the Rockets Championship Court – the team was able to salvage center court from the long-gone Houston Summit, the home court where the Rockets won their championships. Fans can also take photos on the court alongside a locker room set up, complete with lockers and jerseys of all the Rockets all-time greats.

Speaking of which, the rafters of Toyota Center are filled with retired jersey numbers and championship banners. The pre-game and halftime festivities are also a lot of fun, and add greatly to the atmosphere at Toyota Center.

Neighborhood 5

Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, as well as the most diverse and most cosmopolitan city in Texas. With that in mind, you’ve got an embarrassment of riches to choose from during your visit to Space City.

For sports fans, the city is also home to virtually all the other major professional sports leagues. The Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Dynamo FC, and Houston Dash all call the city home, along with four Division 1 college sports programs in the University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and Prairie View A&M University. If you plan your visit right, you should be able to get in at least one other game at one of the many venues in the area.

When looking for things to do before or after Rockets games, again, you have a wealth of options to choose from – a couple of recommendations I would advise visiting include Space Center Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Space Center Houston is the hub for NASA and its endeavors. The tours are amazing, the sites are awe-inspiring, and everything at the center feels monumental and important. There is plenty to do for visitors of all ages.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a world-class art institution and is home to works from some of the most celebrated artists in history. Conveniently located in the Museum District, the museum is a great way to spend time before games and, if needed, to get out of the Houston heat for a while.

Options for dining and lodging are also in abundance. Virtually every cuisine you could think of has a five-star option in Houston; the same with places to stay on your visit. The only limits for both are going to be your budget and your imagination. A few eating and sleeping options within walking distance of Toyota Center include China Garden, a decades-old Asian restaurant, and The Palm, the H-Town location for the upscale steakhouse chain.

Hotel options include Hilton Americas-Houston and Athens Hotel & Suites; both are less than a five-minute walk from the arena.

Fans 4

The Rockets fortunes on the court have improved in recent years and along with that, so have the team’s attendance figures at Toyota Center. During the 2023-24 season the Rockets averaged over 17,500 fans per game, markedly up from the previous season, and they are up even more this year.

At the games there are a ton of fans decked out in Rockets gear and jerseys. By and large, this is a loud, energetic, and engaged crowd. It has not always been a die-hard fanbase, but when times are good, they are there.

Access 5

Toyota Center is conveniently located – its Downtown site puts in within walking distance of a lot of great activities and attractions in Space City. It is also only about a 30-minute drive from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, one of the busiest hubs in the country, allowing for flights to and from Houston to pretty much everywhere in the world.

There are plenty of public parking lots in the area around the arena, but these tend to get a bit pricey, so I cannot speak highly enough about the city’s public transportation option, Houston METRO. The light rail system that crisscrosses the city has multiple routes and stops in and around Toyota Center. I’ve written ad nauseum about the traffic in Houston, so for a mere $1.25 per person per trip, you could skip all of that and save money on parking, too. It's almost too good to pass up.

Return on Investment 4

Single-game tickets for the Houston Rockets wildly vary in cost. On average, you can expect to pay between $85 and $150 if you’re buying from the team; bargains can be had on the secondary market, however.

Concession costs are also a little on the higher end, but you can still find bargains, such as the bottomless popcorn and soda refills. This is pretty much on par with the rest of the NBA, though.

The parking costs are also pretty high, but the public transportation options can offset that.

All in all, with the Rockets being back in contention again, you’re getting what you pay for at Toyota Center.

Extras 4

The Rockets pull out a lot of stops when it comes to Extras. They have the team mascot, Clutch the Bear (and his sidekick, Mini Clutch), the team’s dance squad, the Clutch City Dancers, an in-arena DJ, and a dunk team. All of this adds immensely to the in-game experience for fans. Couple this with all the previously mentioned experiences that are built into the atmosphere here, and you’re in for a great time at Toyota Center.

Final Thoughts

Toyota Center is one of my favorite venues in all of sports; it’s still a great spot despite its age. When you factor in its location and its proximity to the multitude of great options that H-Town has to offer, I think anyone visiting Toyota Center will come away feeling the same. Definitely add it to your sports bucket list.

Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on X at @EricMoreno6477.