It’s been a lightning-quick 10 years since Downtown Plaza was demolished and Golden 1 Center emerged, creating Downtown Commons while changing Sacramento’s landscape forever.
About a month before Golden 1 Center construction began Oct. 29,
2014, sections of Downtown Plaza are razed Sept. 11.
Golden 1 Center has held about 450 Sacramento Kings games, almost 500 concerts, three men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, yearly events like Professional Bull Riders and World Wrestling Entertainment and one-off events like drone speed racers. Meanwhile, the $540 million complex brings in an estimated $665 million a year in revenue to the region.
The official groundbreaking for Golden 1 Center Oct. 29, 2014.
It first opened its doors to the public for a Kings Fanfest on Oct. 1, 2016, then hosted a 74-year-old Paul McCartney on Oct. 4-5 and the Kings’ first official game on a rainy Oct. 27 night. Locals and out-of-town visitors alike continue to pack the arena today.
About a year before its opening, Golden 1 Center takes shape Nov.
9, 2015.
Here’s a look back at some of the early moments of Sacramento’s downtown stadium.
Fans get a first look at Golden 1 Center during Fanfest Oct. 1,
2016.
A crowd gathers outside Golden 1 Center Oct. 4, 2016 for its
first event, Paul McCartney’s first of a two-night run.
Some of the first entrants to Golden 1 Center Oct. 4, 2016 to see
Paul McCartney’s opening night show.
Paul McCartney plays before the first of two sold-out shows at
Golden 1 Center on Oct. 4, 2016.
Wrestlers entertain the sold out World Wrestling Entertainment
crowd at Golden 1 Center on Oct. 9, 2016.
Golden 1 Center sold out during its first WWE event on Oct. 9,
2016.
Fans brave the rain before entering Golden 1 Center for the
Kings’ first regular-season game Oct. 27, 2016.
The Sacramento Kings and San Antonio Spurs line up for the
National Anthem at Golden 1 Center before the arena’s first
regular-season NBA game on Oct. 27, 2016.
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