You Won’t Believe Which Big 12 Basketball Arena Climbed from Last to First in Our Shocking Re-Rank!

One year after hopping back into the Big 12, the Colorado Buffaloes, alongside their old Pac-12 rivals Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah, had a season they’d probably prefer to erase from memory. Tad Boyle’s squad wrapped up with a disappointing 14-21 overall and staggeringly poor 3-17 conference record. Summer is usually quiet on college basketball front, and frankly, dwelling on last season’s struggles won’t get anyone pumped up for what’s ahead. So instead, I thought it’d be fun—and revealing—to take a deep dive into the Big 12’s basketball arenas. These arenas aren’t just buildings; they’re the war zones where die-hard fans create unforgettable atmospheres. But how exactly do these venues stack up against one another? From cavernous coliseums with historic vibes to modern, sleek spaces, the range is wild. Oh, and by the way, after struggling on the road (0-10!) but holding their ground at home (11-7), the Buffs clearly leaned heavily on their home court to stay afloat. Curious to see where each arena lands in the rankings? Let’s jump in and break down the 16 Big 12 basketball venues, from the least memorable to the absolute show-stoppers. LEARN MOREAnother newcomer to the conference last year, the McKale Center was one of the top venues in the Pac-12, and that remains the case in the Big 12. Program success and a solid fanbase make the home of the Wildcats, which includes a top-tier videoboard, one of the Big 12’s best.You cannot beat the atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse. It is arguably the best spot to watch a basketball game in the world, and the history behind the teams that take the floor there is unmatched. The arena is sold out nearly every game, which puts it over the top as the best arena in the Big 12.Related:Ranking all 16 Big 12 basketball uniforms from worst to firstIowa State’s Hilton Coliseum is one of the nicer venues in the Big 12. It might not have the prestige and history of Kansas’s Allen Fieldhouse, but it does a great job hosting one of the country’s most devoted fan bases.Capacity: 9,432

Capacity: 11,064

16. WVU Coliseum (West Virginia Mountaineers)

The United Supermarkets Arena is a large venue that holds the Big 12 record for single-game student attendance. I enjoy the conventional layout of the lower bowl, and the high turnout rate among fans solidly places this venue in the top 10.Here is an updated ranking of the conference’s 16 basketball venues.

15. Schollmaier Arena (TCU Horned Frogs)

Feb 3, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; General view of the Walsh Family Court before the game between the TCU Horned Frogs and Texas Longhorns at Ed and Rae Schollmaier Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

I am a big fan of the Fifth Third Arena. The open area behind the basket lends the place a unique feel, allowing people to see the court while standing in line for concessions. The upper level seems a bit clunky and far away, which puts the Bearcats’ home court further down the list.Capacity: 13,611

14. Jon M. Huntsman Center (Utah Utes)

Dec 17, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; A general view of the Jon M. Huntsman Center before the game between the Utah Utes and the Florida A&M Rattlers. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Capacity: 14,000Capacity: 8,500

13. Addition Financial Arena (UCF Knights)

Nov 28, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; A general view of Addition Financial Arena, As the game between the UCF Knights and the Oklahoma Sooners was postponed due to Covid-19 concerns. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Capacity: 15,000Houston is one of the top programs in college basketball, but its arena could be significantly improved. The Fertitta Center is the smallest in the Big 12, and that takes away from what could be an even bigger home crowd. Maybe having a packed, smaller arena does wonders for the atmosphere, but I think Houston could do better.

12. Marriott Arena (BYU Cougars)

Feb 5, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; A general view of the Marriott Center prior to a game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Capacity: 11,654The CU Events Center may be the only arena in the country built below ground. Along with Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Events Center is the only other major college stadium with retractable hoops attached to the ceiling. Colorado’s home venue can be loud, but it lacks the top-tier amenities found in different venues in the top 10.

11. Desert Financial Arena (Arizona State Sun Devils)

Jan 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; A general view of game action between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Many call Oklahoma State’s home court “The Rowdiest Arena in the Country” and “The Madison Square Garden of the Plains.” It is, by far, one of the best places to catch a college basketball game, and several renovations have helped keep it up to date. If the Cowboys could become a more formidable program, the Gallagher-Iba Arena might vault even higher.Capacity: 7,500

10. CU Events Center (Colorado Buffaloes)

Mar 8, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of the CU Events Center before the game between theTCU Horned Frogs against the Colorado Buffaloes. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The WVU Coliseum looks like a knock-off Carrier Dome, and that is not a compliment. It is not conveniently located near campus, and it is not a glamorous venue. It might appeal to many fans, but that does not improve its ranking.Capacity: 14,267

9. Fertitta Center (Houston Cougars)

Jan 15, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; General view of Fertitta Center during the second half of a game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Houston Cougars at Fertitta Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Arizona State does not always fill its arena, but it is a decent stadium. It also lacks recent renovations that would have given the Desert Financial Arena a higher ranking.Capacity: 15,300

8. Fifth Third Arena (Cincinnati Bearcats)

Dec 6, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of Fifth Third Arena prior to the game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Xavier Musketeers. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Capacity: 17,978After going 11-7 at the CU Events Center and 0-10 on the road last season, Colorado is one team that greatly needed that home environment.

7. United Supermarkets Arena (Texas Tech Red Raiders)

Jan 26, 2025; Lubbock, Texas, USA; A general view of the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at United Supermarkets Arena. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes are one year removed from rejoining the Big 12 along with their former Pac-12 competitors Arizona, Arizona State and Utah. For the Buffs, their first season in the conference was one to forget.Capacity: 14,198

6. Bramlage Coliseum (Kansas State Wildcats)

Kansas State's Bramlage Coliseum is the host of the 2025 KSHSAA Class 2A State Tournament in Manhattan, Kansas.

Basketball arenas. Home to some of college basketball’s most crazed fans and iconic atmospheres, but how do the Big 12 arenas stack up against each other?Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

5. Hilton Coliseum (Iowa State Cyclones)

Feb 20, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; A general view of James H. Hilton Coliseum during the second half for the game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the TCU Horned Frogs. Iowa State won 92-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Capacity: 15,300Capacity: 14,688

4. Gallagher-Iba Arena (Oklahoma State Cowboys)

Jan 7, 2025; Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA; General view of the arena prior to the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Kansas State Wildcats at Gallagher-Iba Arena. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

Capacity: 12,012Kansas State’s venue will never compare to its in-state rival, Kansas, but the Bramlage Coliseum is no slouch. K-State consistently fills up its arenas with raucous fans who love basketball, and that, plus a very solid overall venue, puts it at No. 6.

3. McKale Memorial Center (Arizona Wildcats)

Jan 28, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of McKale Center during the second half of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks won 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.Capacity: 7,100

2. Foster Pavilion (Baylor Bears)

Jan 13, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; A General view of Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion prior to tip of a game between the Baylor Bears and the Cincinnati Bearcats. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports

I am not a fan of the circular layout, and its smaller capacity does it no favors. The Schollmaier Arena seems more like a bull ring or concert seating than a traditional basketball arena.The Addition Financial Arena may not be the most unique or largest arena in the Big 12, but its exterior is one of the best. I enjoy the sleek, modern look, and that is good enough for No. 13.

1. Allen Fieldhouse (Kansas Jayhawks)

Mar 1, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; General view of the stadium prior to the game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images

The Foster Pavilion is the newest arena in the Big 12 while also being one of the smallest. Baylor opted to go for an intimate setting, and through one season, it has been a success. I think it is the best seating layout in the entire conference, with visible aisles and sections that give the arena a distinct look. Add in the window panes on one side, and you’ve got yourselves a pristine modern basketball venue.The Marriott Center holds the largest capacity in the Big 12 and is one of the nation’s biggest college basketball arenas. BYU’s home support gains a significant advantage due to the attendance numbers, but the arena is fairly bland otherwise.

Tad Boyle’s crew finished the year with a 14-21 overall record and an abysmal 3-17 record in the Big 12. With the summer months of June and July offering little to no basketball news, it is time to forget about what happened on the court last season and instead focus on a unique look at the entire Big 12.Another circular seating layout that I am not a fan of. Utah owns one of the largest arenas in the Pac-12, but in the Big 12, it does not rank as high. The seats behind the basket are not close enough to the court for my liking, either.