Utah's most recognizable professional sports team.
Utah is known for many things, but jazz certainly doesn't make the top of the list. The nickname has its origins in New Orleans, where the franchise began in 1974. After running into financial troubles, owner Sam Battistone decided to move the team to Salt Lake City in 1979. The city had previously been home to the Utah Stars of the ABA from 1970-1976.
The current arena itself opened in 1991 as the Delta Center, replacing the former Salt Palace. The arena would quickly become well-known nationwide due to nationally television games featuring perennial All-Starts Karl Malone and John Stockton. The Utah Jazz would participate in both the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals, making the arena a household name.
It would be known as the Delta Center for 15 years, with the exception of during the 2002 Winter Olympics when it would be known as the Salt Lake Ice Palace. When Delta Airlines filed for bankruptcy, the did not retain the naming rights and the arena would become the less-catchy Energy Solutions Arena.
After the passing of owner Larry Miller in 2010, the court was renamed to Larry H. Miller Court. The arena got another name change in 2015 when Utah-based Vivint Smart Home purchased the naming rights and it became Vivint Arena.
WIth Utah being one of the smaller markets in the NBA, getting to the arena is much less painful than it would be in other markets. Parking is relatively easy to find even during sell-outs and you can often find a space for $10-$20.
Before entering the arena, you have to stop by the southeast side where you'll find statues of Hall-Of-Famers Karl Malone and John Stockton. These two are undoubtedly two of the greatest players in NBA history and are memorialized in a great way.
Tickets are a bit more expensive than one would expect here given the loyal fan base and tendency to put a competitive team on the floor year after year.
Inside the corridors definitely have an "older-arena" feel, often becoming a bit over-crowded and lacking some of the more modern amenities and food options. I did enjoy walking the lower concourse and observing the Jazz jerseys over the years as well as the guitars of some of the notable acts that have performed at the arena.
Vivint Arena is known as one of the tougher places to play in the league because it is not a multipurpose arena (created for both NBA and NHL) and the fans are nearly on top of the action. With the help of Jazz Bear (00), the crowd tends to get rather involved in the action and during a Utah run, it's often difficult to even hear the person next to you.
Check the schedule and make it a point to catch a Jazz game next time they're in town. It's one of the most unique experiences in the NBA.
Know Before You Go
Handbags are not allowed inside. You'll either have to check them at an outside trailer or leave it at home.
The best spot to check out before or after to the game is known as Hall Pass. It a dining and entertainment center just a block from the street.
Despite Utah being a bit more strict with its alcohol laws, adult beverages are easily available at the game.
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Location
Vivint Arena is located in downtown Salt Lake City, minutes on foot from Temple Square and the Salt Palace Convention Center. It's most easily accessed via Interstate 15 and it has both bus and train stops right outside the arena.
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