Legends-ASM-Oklahoma City camaraderie on

Article posted by Coliseum, June 24^th, 2025

Image: ASM Global & Legends

The Legends/ASM Global, the leading premium live experiences company, has announced that it will continue its longstanding partnership with the City of Oklahoma to manage the Paycom Center in Oklahoma (US), Oklahoma City’s pre-eminent sports and entertainment arena and home to the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) team Oklahoma City Thunder, and the much-anticipated New Paycom Center scheduled to open in 2028.

‘Legends’ stated that as part of the extended agreement the Legends/ASM Global will continue to manage the current Paycom Center for the next three years. The agreement also includes management of the New Paycom Center which will be located on the former site of the Prairie Surf Studios/Cox Convention Center, just North of the current arena, for five years after its scheduled 2028 opening.

New York (US)-based Legends is the pre-eminent premium live events company dedicated to delivering exceptional fan and guest experiences globally. They provide a data-driven, customizable solution across all areas of venue operations and revenue generation for many of the world’s most iconic brands and venues in the sports, entertainment, attractions, conventions, and leisure industries.

Los Angeles (US)-based ASM Global is the leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences. Acquired by Legends in 2024 with over 400 premier venues worldwide the ASM Global operates and invests in the world’s most important stadiums, arenas, convention centers, and theaters including the entertainment districts and the mixed-use developments.

The 18,203-capacity Paycom Center is an arena located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It opened in 2002 and since 2008 has served as the home venue for the National Basketball Association’s (NBA’s) Oklahoma City Thunder.

A new, publicly-owned arena will be built in downtown Oklahoma City securing a home for the National Basketball Association (NBA) team Oklahoma City Thunder beyond 2050. The state-of-the-art venue will be built on a City-owned site across the street from the existing 23-year-old arena and will become the New Paycom Center. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 with an expected opening in 2028.

‘Legends’ further stated that the contract renewal officially continues the global live experience giant’s successful 25-year presence in the downtown Oklahoma City community. The Legends/ASM Global’s longstanding relationship started with the company’s management of the then Myriad Convention Center in 2000 as well as the opening of the Paycom Center (then Ford Center) in 2002.

Observed David Holt, Oklahoma City Mayo, “The Legends/ASM Global has done a fantastic job in recent years especially with the challenges that are sometimes presented by our current venue or our market size. I look forward to seeing what they can do with a new, cutting-edge venue. I’m glad our partnership will continue.”

Since opening its doors the Paycom Center has hosted nearly 2,000 events and welcomed over 15 million fans. Attracting both regional and national events the arena is known for its world-class entertainment hosting major concerts.

2024 alone proved to be a milestone year as the venue hosted 41 concert events breaking the previous record of 37 events in 2022.

The Paycom Center also moved up in venue rankings standing as 60^th in the world and 38^th in the United States based on Pollstar’s (a trade publication for the concert and live music industry) Top Arenas 2024 Year End List.

Commented Chris Semrau, General Manager of Paycom Center for Legends/ASM Global, “For 25 years we have made it our mission to provide an unparalleled experience to each and every fan that walks through our doors. This renewed agreement is just another testament to the level of our commitment to our guests and dedication to the community and further proof of the strength of our relationship with the City of Oklahoma City.”

Legends/ASM Global’s renewal with the City of Oklahoma City is part of the company’s growing footprint across the globe working with some of the most iconic and innovative sports and entertainment brands and managing some of the world’s most versatile and unique facilities of all sizes, from arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers to multipurpose entertainment districts.

Remarked Doug Thornton, President of North American Venues, Legends/ASM Global, “It’s an incredibly exciting time in Oklahoma City. Leveraging Legends/ASM Global’s unmatched expertise and experience the Paycom Center and the New Paycom Center will continue to be the premier event destination in the region for years to come. We deeply value our longstanding partnership with the City and the Thunder and appreciate the trust and confidence placed in our team, led by Chris Semrau. The Oklahoma City has always been a City that gets things done and we’re honored to help drive its next chapter of growth.”

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