The Detroit Pistons have one of the toughest fanbases in the world. And as such, they need to have a top-notch arena where they can support their team. That’s why, regardless of Detroit’s financial issues, they still count with perhaps the finest arena in all of Motor City: Little Caesars Arena. The Pistons moved multiple times, from Cobo Arena to the Pontiac Silverdome to many other venues. However, it feels like they’ve finally found their home at Little Caesars Arena.
Home of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings, this arena features a state-of-the-art design with a plastic roof and boasts a seating capacity of nearly 20,000 people. With several retail outlets located just outside of the arena and multiple shops surrounding Cass Corridor, Pistons games, or any major sports event in the area are the perfect opportunities to really get to know downtown Detroit. That’s why, without further ado, let’s talk about Little Caesars Arena, the house owned by Olympia Entertainment and Palace Sports & Entertainment.
Where Is Little Caesars Arena?
Little Caesars Arena, home of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings, is located at 2645 Woodward Avenue in the District Detroit, a sports entertainment district featuring retail outlets and residency buildings near Comerica Park and Ford Field.
What Happened To Joe Louis Arena?
The Joe Louis Arena was an arena in downtown Detroit. Besides being home to the Detroit Pistons, it also hosted the Detroit Red Wings and many box office events. It was the second-oldest NHL venue, trailing only the Madison Square Garden.
Eventually, Joe Louis Arena was outdated and given Detroit’s tough financial situation and bankruptcy, the city unveiled plans to construct a new arena near Comerica Park and Ford Field, eventually leading to its demolition. It closed on July 29, 2017, but was demolished in 2020. It was the largest indoor arena for concerts in the Michigan area.
How many seats are in Little Caesars Arena?
Little Caesars Arena has a seating capacity for 20,332 fans for basketball games. It can sit up to 19,515 guests for NHL home games, and from 15,000 to 20,000 for concerts and other entertainment events. Also, anyone looking to attend any event at this venue can buy a ticket right at the box office, although local authorities encourage people to minimize contact and acquire game tickets online to comply with health and safety protocols.
Can you bring a purse into Little Caesars Arena?
Like many other venues in the NBA and the state of Michigan, guests at Little Ceasars Arena won’t be able to bring bags. Regardless of if we’re talking about a basketball, hockey game, or any other entertainment event, the no bag policy of the Pistons Arena states that guests can only bring small wallets, diaper bags, and medical bags with them.
What did Little Caesars Arena use to be called?
When the Pistons announced their plans to leave the Palace in Auburn Hills, Little Caesars Arena was supposed to be called Detroit Events Center. Michigan-based Pizza chain Little Caesars acquired the naming rights since the building opened its doors and they have been their corporate sponsor ever since. Some people also refer to it as “The Pizzarena”, LCA”, “The Pizza Box”, “The Pizza Palace”, and “The DoughJoe.”
Why did they close the Palace of Auburn Hills?
The Detroit Pistons left the Pontiac Silverdome to move to the Palace in Auburn Hills, which would turn out to become one of the most iconic NBA arenas in the world. Sadly for ticket holders, the new venue for Detroit Pistons’ home games would have the very same fate as its predecessor.
While Little Caesars Arena was supposed to host only Red Wings games, the Pistons also negotiated to relocate to downtown Detroit and the surging District Detroit, leaving this outdated multi-purpose arena behind. The Palace’s poor location and the lack of a professional basketball team forced authorities’ hands to demolish the most iconic building in Auburn Hills.
Where have the Detroit Pistons played?
The Detroit Pistons have had multiple franchise-changing events in their history, including several relocations for their home games. Throughout the year, the most popular sports team in Michigan has played at North Side High School Gym from 1948-52, Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (1952–1957), Olympia Stadium (1957–1961), Memorial Building (University of Detroit) (1957–1961 as an alternate location), Cobo Arena (1961–1978), Pontiac Silverdome (1978–1988), The Palace of Auburn Hills (1988–2017). Eventually, the Detroit Pistons moved to Little Caesars Arena in 2017.
How Many NBA Championships Have The Detroit Pistons Won?
Although not the winningest NBA team by any means, the Detroit Pistons have still achieved basketball greatness more than once. The most popular sports team in the area has won 3 NBA championships in their history (1989, 1990, 2004) but they haven’t made the Finals since 2005.
Malice At The Palace: What Truly Happened
For decades, people have talked about Malice at The Palace, one of the most infamous nights in National Basketball Association history, especially for those who bought tickets and actually took part in this event. It was the first time when an NBA player actually got into a physical altercation with a fan, leading to a historical suspension and millions in fines from the league.
It all happened during a game between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, one of basketball’s toughest rivalries at the time. Metta World Peace (then known as Ron Artest) committed a hard foul over Ben Wallace when the game was already decided, leading to a physical altercation that turned into an epic brawl.
People started storming the court and throwing cups at the players, Artest punched a Detroit fan in the face and the league suspended 10 players, with Artest getting a historical 86-game suspension, one of the toughest in sports history and an unmatched in the National Basketball Association.
The aftermath of this event at the Palace in Auburn Hills was brutal. Auburn Hills police studied the footage and pressed charges against the guess that allegedly started the brawl by throwing a cup at Artest, banning him from all NBA arenas in the future. Up to five NBA players faced charges after that street-level brawl and some of them were never able to fix their reputation after that terrible event in perhaps the toughest arena in basketball.
Now, the league has gone to great lengths to prevent something like this from happening ever again, banning people from the arena at the first offense and also fining players for trying to get physical with rival supporters.
Detroit Pistons: Grittiness, Toughness, And Physicality
Throughout their history, Detroit Pistons basketball has been a synonym of toughness and grittiness, earning a reputation for being one of the most physical sports teams in the world. And that kind of energy can be felt even outside of the arena, as Detroit Pistons supporters are some of the toughest in all of the sports.
From Olympia Stadium to Cobo Arena to the Palace and even Little Caesars Arena, the Detroit Pistons have had some iconic defenders like Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, and Chauncey Billups. Needless to say, if you’re going to play in Detroit and don’t want to feel the wrath of the arena, you better abide by those legendary standards.
Nowadays, the Detroit Pistons are trying to bring back that defensive spirit and grittiness that truly defines Motor City. With young studs like Cade Cunningham, Isaiah Stewart, and Saddiq Be, they’ve brought back hope to the city of Detroit and Little Caesars Arena by putting together one of the most promising young squads in the league. So, if you’re ever near the area, don’t hesitate to pull up to Little Caesars Arena. You won’t regret it unless you throw a cup at a player.
