The Milwaukee Bucks are one of the strongest teams in the NBA right now. Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, every Bucks game has turned into one of the biggest events for the city of Milwaukee and as such, it was only natural for them to think of building a new, bigger, more modern arena: Fiserv Forum.
Fiserv Forum’s impact on the community goes way beyond basketball or any game, as it even paved the way for residential development and commercial boost in the area, becoming a marquee place for the state of Wisconsin.
Right in the middle of an entertainment district and a fan-crowded plaza, there’s not a big event that goes down in Milwaukee that doesn’t have something to do with Fiserv Forum. Since its construction, we’ve seen nearly every Milwaukee Buck game full of fans from the lower bowl all the way to the ceiling. This is why today, we’re going to let you know everything there is to know about this beautiful place.
Where Have The Milwaukee Bucks Played?
Just like all NBA teams, the Milwaukee Bucks have had more than one arena to play their home games. They first played at the Milwaukee Arena/Mecca Arena in 1968, with their first move happening 20 years later in 1988 to the Bradley Center. Then, they moved to their new multi-purpose arena, the Fiserv Forum.
Why was the Fiserv Forum built?
Even though the Milwaukee Bucks had a relatively new arena, the Bradley Center was still one of the oldest around the NBA, so building a new downtown arena became a focal point for the ownership in 2015. The Bradley Center was shorter than other NBA arenas and the franchise felt it was a disadvantage in comparison to other teams.
Fiserv Forum was expected to be more than just a new arena. It was planned as the centerpiece of entertainment district for sports fans from all over Wisconsin, but also to become a multi-purpose venue that set the standard all over the world. Thanks to its glass curtain wall, it’s actually the first bird-friendly arena in the world:
“We’re really affecting the change, that in the way things are built, in the future. Especially, the glass curtain walls, you know, hundreds of feet,” said Bucks president Peter Feigin.
Featuring a plaza for viewing parties, a food court, the construction of this state-of-the-art arena was intended to will seamlessly link with other iconic places of the city, such as Schlitz Park, Old World Third Street, The Brewery, the Milwaukee riverfront, Water Street, and even the Wisconsin Center.
What happened to the Milwaukee arena?
Nothing. Even though the Milwaukee Bucks no longer play at this site, the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena is still fully operating. It’s located at 400 W Kilbourn Ave and is owned by the Wisconsin Center District. The Bucks simply left the building because of its small seating capacity and a need for a new arena but it still hosts concerts other sports events.
Where is The Fiserv Forum In Downtown Milwaukee?
This new arena is located at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Avenue, Milwaukee near N6th street in downtown Milwaukee. It’s expected to boost the residential, entertainment, sports, and night lifestyle of the area. It has a nearby plaza full of restaurants, a beer garden, and a “Deer District” where fans often gather before games.
Can I take my purse into Fiserv Forum?
If you want to watch the Bucks play in their arena, you must be aware of Fiserv Forum’s strict no-bag policy. As of now, people attending this site will only be allowed to carry a wallet no larger than 4”x6”x1”, even for concerts. However, this isn’t expected to alter fan experience in a big way, as it’s a 100% cashless arena.
How many fans are allowed at Milwaukee Bucks games?
Being a new arena, the Fiserv Forum has a seating capacity for 17,500 people, as well as several premium seating options. It has had a record attendance of 18,412 during a game that happened on February 28, 2020.
Milwaukee Bucks: A Resurging Giant
Founded in 1968, the Milwaukee Bucks were conceived to bring the NBA back to Milwaukee, as the city had been missing a team for 13 years since the Hawks left town. As it usually happens, their first season didn’t come with much success, but it didn’t take long before they put those woes behind.
In just their second year of existence, the Bucks had the ultimate franchise-defining event. They drafted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – then known as Lew Alcindor – out of UCLA, immediately turning the team around and becoming an instant contender in the league. The Bucks didn’t miss a beat and won 56 games with Kareem leading the way, easily winning Rookie of the Year honors.
The Bucks’ front office realized that Kareem needed a sidekick to lead them to the top, so they traded for Cincinnati Royals standout Oscar Robertson. Together, they led the Bucks to two trips to the NBA Finals, winning the first in 1971.
Abdul-Jabbar quickly outgrew the small market and forced his way out to join the Los Angeles Lakers but, unlike what happens with most teams that lose their franchise player, the Bucks actually fared pretty well without Abdul-Jabbar.
The Bucks were perennial playoff contenders for decades until the dark times finally arrived in the 90s, failing to make the playoffs more often than not and struggling to bring people to the arena. Eventually, in 1998, the squad of Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, and Sam Cassell finally put an end to their struggles and brought them back to playoff contention.
Nonetheless, they weren’t able to make it back to the NBA Finals and the front office eventually broke up the roster, leading to a transition era with stars of the likes of Michael Redd and later Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis trying to make them relevant again, but to no avail.
Then, it all changed again when they took an unknown, lanky kid out of Greece with the 15th overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft. No one ever thought that Giannis Antetokounmpo would go on to become the highest-paid player in NBA history, an MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and the guy who would put an end to their fifty-year championship drought.
Giannis decided to stay put and extend his stay with the Bucks and it immediately paid off, as he led them to the NBA Finals and cemented himself as one of the most dominant players of all time even despite being just 27 years old.
Now, with Giannis at the helm, the Bucks have once again become one of the most prominent franchises in the Eastern Conference and a perennial championship contender and bringing thousands of people to the arena on a nightly basis.
Bucks President Peter Feigin Wants To Inspire Change
Besides doing an outstanding job to bring the team back to its competitive nature, Peter Feigin has done an even better job of reaching out to the community, working closely with several organizations to carry on events to help and enhance the development of the city. Helping organizations like Running Rebels, the CEO claimed that the team will always be in debt with Milwaukee’s people:
“They ushered us through a mentoring program, how to look at this community, how to get engaged, how to also learn how to spend our money with a great return and really to continue to evolve and grow,” Feigin said of his experience with Running Rebels.
Milwaukee Bucks Released Plans For New Training Center
On that same note, the Milwaukee Bucks ownership recently released their plans for a new training facility as a part of their joint effort to help the active development of the city. Expected to be located at N. Sixth Street between W. Juneau Ave. and W. McKinley Ave, state officials expect this to become not only the home of Milwaukee Bucks basketball but also a commercial hub in the near future.
