The new home for University of Oklahoma basketball broke ground on May 12, 2026, msn.com reported.
The Rainier Co. is serving as the project's contractor.
OU and the city of Norman announced in 2024 plans to build a $1.2 billion entertainment district in Rock Creek that would include a nearly $330 million arena, msn.com reported. The facility will succeed the 49-year-old Lloyd Noble Center.
"It's going to be incredible," OU athletics director Roger Denny said. "All of a sudden, you can go for a game, and instead of sitting on Highway 9 for an hour trying to get out of there, you can go hang out and have a great meal or a drink in the district and have a good time."
Because of multiple legal battles since 2024, the project was delayed. The university originally hoped the arena would be completed by 2027-'28, although that isn't likely now, msn.com reported.
The arena is expected to seat around 8,000 and will serve as the home for both OU men's and women's basketball, along with women's gymnastics.
OU will be the arena's anchor tenant, using 24-28 percent of its availability each year. The remaining time will be available for concerts, conventions and other occasions.
The Tulsa World reported in 2024 that OU is expected to contribute $100 million toward the total project cost of the arena and supporting infrastructure, with the remainder paid by tax increment financing (TIF) funds.
The university is slated to pay $25 million of its portion up front, with the remainder as rent and operations costs over a 25-year period.
The Rock Creek Entertainment District is a planned 269-acre development near Interstate 35 and Rock Creek Road that will feature retail, restaurants, hotels and housing. Proponents say the project will generate more than $1 billion in total investment, including $800 million in private capital and create more than 3,000 jobs.
