Kaseya Center

The Kaseya Center is a large arena located on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida. It is best known as the home of the Miami Heat, a professional basketball team in the National Basketball Association. The arena can hold up to 19,500 people for basketball games, with special seating areas like club seats and luxury suites.

Before being called the Kaseya Center, the arena had several other names. It opened in 1999 as the American Airlines Arena, then became FTX Arena in 2021, and briefly was called Miami-Dade Arena in 2023. In April 2023, it received its current name after Kaseya, a technology company, bought the naming rights for 17 years.

Inside the arena, there is also a large theater called The Waterfront Theater. This theater can seat between 3,000 and 5,800 people and is used for concerts, musical shows, and other events. The arena is easy to reach by public transportation, with nearby stops on the Miami Metrorail and Metromover. There are also parking spaces available for certain ticket holders.

History

In 1997, the owners of the Miami Heat team wanted a new home and asked for land to build it. Construction started in February 1998, and the arena opened on December 31, 1999, with a concert by Gloria Estefan. Two days later, the Miami Heat played their first game there.

The arena has had several names over the years. It opened as American Airlines Arena, then became FTX Arena in 2021, and finally Kaseya Center in 2023. It is known for its special scoreboard and can hold many people for concerts and games.

Notable events

Circus

In January 2017, the closing of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was announced after shows at the arena.

Basketball

The arena, known as American Airlines Arena at the time, hosted the 2006 NBA Finals and the 2011 NBA Finals when the Miami Heat played against the Dallas Mavericks. The Heat won in 2006, and the Mavericks won in 2011. These were important moments for both teams.

The arena also hosted the 2012 NBA Finals, 2013 NBA Finals, and 2014 NBA Finals. In 2012, the Heat won against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2013, the Heat came back to win after being behind in the series. In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs won against the Heat.

In 2023, when the arena was called Kaseya Center, it hosted the 2023 NBA Finals with the Denver Nuggets winning against the Heat.

Professional wrestling

The arena has hosted big wrestling events, including the Royal Rumble and Survivor Series. It has also been the site for many episodes of WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown.

Mixed martial arts

The arena hosted its first Ultimate Fighting Championship event in Florida in 2003. It has continued to host UFC events over the years, including in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Other sports

The arena has an ice rink used for shows like Disney on Ice. It has also hosted events like the 2020 NFL Honors and a professional boxing match in 2025.

Music

Many famous musicians have performed at the arena, including Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, and Gloria Estefan, among others. The arena has also hosted award shows like the MTV Video Music Awards and concerts for special causes.

The arena will host the 2026 Miss USA Pageant on August 28, 2026.

Awards ceremonies

The Kaseya Center is a popular place for big music and sports awards. Since 2001, it has hosted the annual Premio Lo Nuestro Latin music awards, usually held on a Thursday night in late February. The arena has also been the venue for the Latin Grammy Awards in some years, including in 2024 on November 14. Other notable events include the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards, the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, and the 2020 NFL Honors on February 1, 2020.