Kaseya Center – Home of the Miami Heat | Arena Guide

Kaseya Center stands as South Florida's premier sports and entertainment venue, serving as the home of the Miami Heat since the arena's opening on January 2, 2000, and establishing itself as one of the NBA's most architecturally striking and atmospherically distinctive arenas. Originally opened as AmericanAirlines Arena after the Heat relocated from Miami Arena, the facility was briefly renamed FTX Arena in 2021 before taking its current name Kaseya Center in 2023 following a naming rights partnership with the Kaseya cybersecurity technology company. Located on Biscayne Bay in the heart of downtown Miami with waterfront views across to South Beach and Watson Island, the arena offers a setting of unparalleled beauty — the AT&T East Plaza on the arena's water-facing side provides a spectacular 23,000-square-foot outdoor event space with panoramic views of Miami's skyline and Biscayne Bay that accommodates up to 2,500 guests for outdoor events. Kaseya Center is a LEED-certified sustainable facility and one of the NBA's 80+ luxury suite venues. With a seating capacity of 19,600, the arena provides an electric "Heat Culture" atmosphere on game nights — the combination of Miami's passionate fanbase, the arena's acoustics, and the high-stakes basketball culture cultivated by President Pat Riley has produced some of the NBA's most intimidating home-court environments. The Miami Heat have won three NBA Championships at this arena (2006, 2012, 2013), and the Heat Culture of grit, conditioning, and championship pedigree infuses every event. Free Metromover service to the Freedom Tower Station provides step-free public transit access from downtown Miami and the broader Metrorail network.

Kaseya Center was built to replace Miami Arena — the Heat's original downtown venue — and opened on January 2, 2000, as AmericanAirlines Arena. The arena was developed by the Heat ownership and Miami-Dade County on Biscayne Bay, creating a waterfront stadium setting that is one of the NBA's most visually distinctive. The Heat moved in as a franchise entering one of their most transformative eras — Dwyane Wade was drafted in 2003, Pat Riley took over as team president in 2004, and the Shaquille O'Neal acquisition led directly to the 2006 NBA Championship. Three championships were won at this arena: 2006 (defeating the Dallas Mavericks, led by Wade's iconic performance), 2012 (the LeBron James era's first title, defeating Oklahoma City), and 2013 (a dramatic seven-game battle with San Antonio featuring Ray Allen's Game 6 corner three). The arena underwent naming rights changes from AmericanAirlines Arena to FTX Arena in 2021, then to Kaseya Center in 2023 following the FTX cryptocurrency exchange collapse. The Bacardi Ocho Lounge replaced the Dewar's Clubhouse as the premium club-level experience as part of ongoing hospitality upgrades.

Kaseya Center on Heat game nights delivers the most distinctive atmosphere in the Southeast Division — an intersection of basketball intelligence, Miami glamour, and championship pedigree that is impossible to replicate elsewhere. The Heat's "Heat Culture" brand permeates the building: the expectation of excellence, the pride in defence, and the belief that no moment is too large for the franchise. Pre-game, Bayside Marketplace provides a warm waterfront gathering zone with bay views, while the Metromover connection makes arriving without a car straightforward. Inside, the heat of a Miami evening is replaced by the cool of the arena, and the combination of genuine basketball fans, Miami's international celebrity-watching culture, and a franchise with genuine playoff expectations creates an environment that rewards quality basketball with real intensity. For peak atmosphere: Heat-Celtics matchups, Heat-Bucks Eastern Conference games, and any Heat playoff home game.

Kaseya Center offers guided behind-the-scenes tours on select non-event days, taking place at the top of the hour. Tours cover the Miami Heat locker room, training facilities, luxury suites, Bacardi Ocho Lounge, and media rooms — celebrating the Heat's three championship legacy. Book via kaseyacenter.com. The arena is only accessible on event days for general visits. Box office: 786-777-1250.