If you’re ever around Memphis, more specifically the Beale Street area, chances are that you’re going to come across FedExForum, a multi-purpose arena where multiple local teams play their home games.
Regardless of it’s February, November, December, or even when there’s no basketball season or any game or event going on – some of the most diehard fans in the country flood downtown Memphis and Beale Street to visit this place.
Concerts, restaurants, basketball, concession stands, fans, and a beautiful design make the FedEx Forum one of the most iconic arenas in the city.
How old is FedExForum?
The city of Memphis had the NBA team they had long for quite some time but they still needed a top-notch venue and their own place to play in, so the FedEx Forum was born.
The ground broke in 2002 and the project was nearly shut down a year later after the Memphis Superstorm of 2003 almost brought down the construction cranes on the site. Gladly, that wasn’t the case and after a $250 million investment, the arena opened its doors in 2004.
Then, FedEx, whose headquarters are located in Tennessee, bought the naming rights of the arena for a whopping $92 million.
What capacity is FedExForum at?
The FedExForum is one o the largest arenas in the NBA. It’s 805,850 ft² and it covers 14 acres of land, so it’s not like you’ll need a map to find it. Needless to say, that means it can host plenty of fans.
FedExForum boasts a capacity for 18,400 fans during Grizzlies games; 16,411 for hockey games, and it can host up to 19,000 fans for concerts or other events. It has 80 club boxes, 32 club suites, 4 party suites, and 27 courtside suits, as well as a beautiful practice basketball court.
There are 27 courtside suites, 32 club suites, 4 party suites, and 80 club boxes. It also contains a full-sized practice basketball court, visible from the huge lobby.
Also, FedExForum features a unique design that resembles the essence of Memphis: Music. It has paintings and murals honoring Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and even Justin Timberlake, and most of the restaurants and concessions are also named in honor of Memphis’ rich music heritage.
On top of that, FedExForum is the only venue that features a see-through shot clock. That was, fans seated behind each basket can see what’s going on on center court and all over the playing floor without the clock messing up the view.
That’s why watching a basketball game at this venue is such a unique experience in comparison to other buildings, as the fans can buy tickets everywhere in the arena knowing that they’ll have a sound view of all game action.
Can you take a purse into FedExForum?
Unlike what happens in other NBA arenas, people can bring a bag for events at FedExForum. However, those bags must be no larger than 4″ x 6″ x 1.5″. If a bag is larger than that, then it will be screened through X-ray machines in lieu of manual searches. That bag policy also applies to all designated express lines and to those who pay for expedited entry.
It’s also worth noting that, in an attempt to comply with social distancing requirements, FedExForum is now a 100% cashless arena. People attending any game or event can buy food, drinks, or even pay for parking using 100% contactless transactions. For more information and details on this and the list of concessions, refer to their official website.
When did the Grizzlies move to the FedExForum?
The Grizzlies franchise started off in Vancouver in 1995, but the team wasn’t exactly box office. Not only did they struggle to compete at the highest level but also fans in Vancouver were way more into hockey than they were into basketball.
An often empty arena and struggles on the court made the Vancouver Grizzlies file for relocation just six years after their foundation. Their relocation in 2001 was the most memorable event of the year for Memphis fans, not only because they finally got an NBA team but also because that would leave the Toronto Raptors as the only franchise located outside of the United States.
NBA Arena: FedExForum
The Memphis Grizzlies and its fans have made FedExForum one of the prime venues to watch basketball. As of the 2021-22 season, they have an average of 14,011 loyal fans who purchase tickets and fill the arena from the courtside all the way to the upper seats. Even with people trying to practice social distancing.
Memphis Grizzlies: A Growing Fanbase
Even though the Memphis Grizzlies haven’t been a part of the city for that long, it didn’t take long before fans from all over Tennessee flooded the arena to root for their NBA franchise. In fact, visitors said they had one of the toughest arenas to play in during the ‘Grit-and-grind’ era.
Stars like Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Mike Conley put the league on notice on the Grizzlies. They were subject to doubts and skepticism for years, but their fierceness on the hardwood made the fans connect with them on a deeper level.
The young Grizzlies, led by standout prospects Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Jaren Jackson Jr., hope to deliver the first NBA title to a city that welcomed them with open arms after their failure in Vancouver.
The Grizzlies have become part of the city’s identity and regardless of if it’s February, March, July, or October; you can’t walk the streets of Memphis without coming across multiple Grizzlies jerseys, and the team has one of the brightest futures in the NBA.
Visit FedExForum And Watch The Memphis Tigers Play
Besides the Memphis Grizzlies, FedEx Forum also hosts the Memphis Tigers of the University of Memphis during the college basketball season, which runs from November through March. The Tigers had thousands of fans and packed games long before they had an NBA franchise, with tickets being sold out more often than not.
If you’re visiting Memphis and there’s a college basketball game on, then you’ll be in for the experience of a lifetime. The arena can get pretty loud during Tigers games and tickets could be hard to get, so we recommend you buy them in advance, especially for games in late February or March.
The Tigers have yet to win an NCAA National Championship but they’ve made 26 tournament appearances.
The first game played in this venue was between the Memphis Tigers and Christian Brothers, and they own a more than decent 274-49 record at the FedExForum.
