Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment has completed the third phase of its five-year, $150 million transformation of Barclays Center, introducing renovated arrival spaces, premium hospitality areas, contemporary art installations and upgraded production technology ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season.
Announced Oct. 21, the upgrades include a redesigned main atrium and box office, a 9,000-square-foot event-level club, a new American Express card member entrance and lounge and the arena’s first major control room upgrade since it opened in 2012.
The announcement coincides with the Brooklyn Nets’ 60th anniversary.
“At Barclays Center, we are shaping the future of arena hospitality," said Shanon Ferguson, chief hospitality officer at Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “Whether fans are arriving through the Main Atrium, enjoying a premium space or experiencing a game or event from the upper concourse, our investments create more elevated and connected journeys, while continuing to evolve Barclays Center as a destination influenced by the energy, creativity and character of Brooklyn.”
The improvements aim to enhance the visitor experience while incorporating elements of Brooklyn’s cultural identity and industrial history.
A centerpiece of the redesigned atrium is WAVE, an installation by artist Sarah Sze featuring 550 acrylic LED sculptural screens displaying moving images inspired by nature and urban landscapes. The installation includes 180-degree LED wall.
The Brooklyn Art Encounters initiative also includes monumental paintings by Mark Bradford and Rashid Johnson at the American Express entrance.
The event-level club features exposed steel trusses, brick and concrete finishes inspired by the DUMBO neighborhood. Its amenities include interactive food stations, show kitchens, a dedicated pizza oven and a 93-foot LED screen. Guests can also access the practice court and view Nets players entering and leaving the locker room area.
The control room modernization introduces an IP-based video infrastructure alongside upgraded broadcast cameras, video switching, replay, graphics and communications systems. The changes are designed to improve production flexibility and support future live-event requirements.
Renovation work was led by design firm Populous, with construction management by Shawmut Design and Construction. Levy Restaurants provides food service in the event-level club.
Two phases remain in the broader transformation, with upcoming work focused on the upper concourse and further improvements throughout the arena. Information about premium spaces, memberships and private events is available at www.barclayscenter.com.
