History of Toyota Center in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 28, 2026

Toyota Center is an indoor arena in Houston, Texas, primarily known as the home of the Houston Rockets (NBA). Named after Toyota, it previously hosted the Houston Aeros (AHL) and Houston Comets (WNBA). This multi-purpose venue is a key entertainment and sports landmark in the city.

May 1995: Legislation Proposed for New Arenas

In May 1995, several Texas sports teams, including the Houston Rockets, proposed legislation to dedicate state tax revenue to build new arenas. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander announced he would continue to study constructing a new arena in downtown Houston.

1995: Rockets Request for New Arena

In 1995, Rockets owner Leslie Alexander began requesting a new arena and attempted to break the Rockets' lease at The Summit, which was denied by Chuck Watson.

1996: Report States New Arena is Essential

In 1996, a panel appointed by Houston mayor Bob Lanier reported that building a new arena was "essential to keep pro sports in Houston".

April 1997: Rockets and Watson Must Share Control

In April 1997, Mayor Lanier announced that the Rockets and Chuck Watson would have to agree to share control of the new arena equally, or lose access to it altogether.

1997: Agreement for Equal Control Over Arena

In 1997, Leslie Alexander and Chuck Watson agreed to equal control over a new arena; however, this proposal was rejected by city voters in a 1999 referendum.

January 1998: Rockets Appeal Court Order

In January 1998, the Rockets began an appeal against the court order to stay at the Summit, but then dropped it in May, because they felt that a new arena would be ready by the time they finished their lease.

January 1999: Referendum Guaranteed

In January 1999, recently elected mayor Lee Brown guaranteed a referendum on the issue before the end of the year.

1999: NBA Commissioner on Relocation

After the vote rejecting the new arena in 1999, NBA commissioner David Stern said "if there's not a new building...I think it's certain that the team will be relocated."

1999: Referendum Rejection

In 1999, the proposal for equal control of the arena was rejected by city voters in a referendum.

February 2000: Talks Resume After Relocation Threats

In February 2000, after the Rockets began to talk to other cities about relocation, the Houston Sports Authority resumed talks with the Rockets.

July 2001: Construction Begins

In July 2001, construction of the new arena began.

July 31, 2001: Groundbreaking Ceremony

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 31, 2001, and construction continued for 26 months.

2001: Amended Agreement Accepted

In 2001, the city and the Rockets signed an amended agreement, excluding the Aeros, which was accepted.

2002: Foundation Concrete Poured

Throughout the summer of 2002, concrete was poured for the foundation, and structural work began in October.

July 2003: Arena Named Toyota Center

In July 2003, the arena was named Toyota Center.

September 2003: Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

In September 2003, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the official opening of the arena.

October 6, 2003: First Event: Fleetwood Mac Concert

On October 6, 2003, the first event at the arena was a Fleetwood Mac concert.

October 2003: Arena Officially Opens

In October 2003, the new arena officially opened. The total costs were $235 million, with the city of Houston paying the majority.

2003: Contract End with The Summit

Negotiations began with Houston Aeros and Summit owner, Chuck Watson, to release the Rockets from their contract with the Summit, which ran until 2003.

2003: Lease End Date at The Summit

The Rockets' lease at The Summit, which Leslie Alexander attempted to break, was set to end in 2003.

2005: Hosted WWE No Mercy

In 2005, Toyota Center hosted WWE No Mercy.

2007: Hosted UFC Event

In 2007, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

November 20, 2008: Metallica Concert Attendance Record

On November 20, 2008, Metallica played to a sold-out crowd of 17,962 during the Death Magnetic tour, setting the current attendance record for a concert held at the arena.

2009: Hosted WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony

In 2009, Toyota Center hosted the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

March 26, 2010: Basketball Game Attendance Record

On March 26, 2010, the record for a basketball game attendance at Toyota Center was set at 18,583, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Rockets 109–101.

August 21, 2010: Hosted Strikeforce: Houston

On August 21, 2010, Toyota Center played host to Strikeforce: Houston.

2010: Hosted TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs

In 2010, Toyota Center hosted TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

2011: Hosted UFC Event

In 2011, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

2012: New Scoreboard Installation

In 2012, Toyota Center installed a larger, 4 panel scoreboard installed by Panasonic, similar to the one installed at AT&T Stadium. It made its debut during the Houston Rockets 2012–13 season opener.

2012: Wi-Fi Installation

In 2012, Wi-Fi designed by SignalShare and implemented by OfficeConnect.net was installed throughout the arena, ready for the NBA All-Star Game.

2013: Hosted TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs

In 2013, Toyota Center hosted TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.

2013: Hosted UFC Event

In 2013, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

2013: Wi-Fi Amenity in Full Swing

The new Wi-Fi amenity was available for the 2012-2013 season and implemented by OfficeConnect.net.

2015: Hosted WWE Night of Champions

In 2015, Toyota Center hosted Night of Champions.

2015: Hosted UFC Event

In 2015, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

July 23, 2016: Hillsong UNITED Performance

On July 23, 2016, Hillsong UNITED performed in the arena; the performance was recorded and released as Empires.

September 30, 2016: Hosted Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions

On September 30, 2016, Toyota Center hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.

2017: Hosted NXT TakeOver: WarGames and Survivor Series

In 2017, Toyota Center hosted NXT TakeOver: WarGames and Survivor Series.

2017: Hosted UFC Event

In 2017, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

2019: Hosted Elimination Chamber

In 2019, Toyota Center hosted Elimination Chamber.

2020: Hosted UFC Event

In 2020, Toyota Center played host to a UFC event.

July 16, 2021: WWE Returns to Live Shows

On July 16, 2021, WWE held their first live show in front of fans since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with an episode of SmackDown at Toyota Center.