Ball Arena is one of the busiest and most recognizable multi-purpose indoor arenas in the United States — the beating heart of professional sports in Denver, Colorado and home to three major league teams under one roof.
But a name like “Ball Arena” naturally raises a question most fans never stop to ask: does Ball Corporation actually own the building? The answer is no — and the real ownership story is far more interesting than a simple naming rights deal.
What Is Ball Arena?
Ball Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located at 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver’s Central Platte Valley, formerly known as Pepsi Center from its opening in 1999 until October 2020. It is the home of the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, and the NLL’s Colorado Mammoth.
With a capacity of 19,520 for basketball, 17,809 for hockey and lacrosse, and up to 21,000 for concerts, the arena hosts over 250 events per year and has welcomed more than 50 million visitors since it opened.
The arena was built on a 4.6-acre footprint in Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood at a construction cost of $187 million — equivalent to roughly $375 million in today’s money. Groundbreaking took place on November 20, 1997, and the venue opened its doors in 1999.
Who Owns Ball Arena in 2026?
Ball Arena is privately owned and operated by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) — a Denver-based sports and entertainment holding company founded in 1999 by billionaire E. Stanley Kroenke.
There is no government ownership, no public funding arrangement, and no corporate co-ownership. KSE holds the building fully and privately.
The name “Ball Arena” refers to Ball Corporation — a Broomfield, Colorado-based packaging and aerospace company — which acquired the naming rights on October 22, 2020 as part of a global multi-year agreement with KSE.
Buying the name of a building is entirely different from owning the building itself. Ball Corporation does not own a single square foot of the arena — it simply paid for the right to have its name on the front door.
Ownership and Key Stakeholders Table
| Party | Role | Ownership | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE) | Owner & Operator | 100% ownership of Ball Arena | Private company founded 1999; headquartered in Denver, Colorado |
| E. Stanley (Stan) Kroenke | Founder, Owner & Chairman of KSE | Controls KSE fully | Billionaire; born July 29, 1947; net worth estimated at $20+ billion |
| Ann Walton Kroenke | KSE Co-Owner | Holds Nuggets & Avalanche franchise ownership | Wife of Stan Kroenke; daughter of Walmart co-founder Bud Walton |
| Ball Corporation | Naming Rights Partner | Zero ownership of arena | Colorado-based packaging company; paid for naming rights in October 2020 |
| Denver Nuggets (NBA) | Primary Tenant | No ownership of arena | Owned by KSE; home games at Ball Arena since 1999 |
| Colorado Avalanche (NHL) | Primary Tenant | No ownership of arena | Owned by KSE; home games at Ball Arena since 1999 |
| Colorado Mammoth (NLL) | Primary Tenant | No ownership of arena | Owned by KSE; plays home lacrosse games at Ball Arena |
| City of Denver | No ownership | N/A | City has no financial stake; KSE signed lease to stay through 2050 |
Who Is Stan Kroenke? The Man Behind Ball Arena
E. Stanley Kroenke — known universally as Stan Kroenke — is one of the most powerful and prolific sports owners in the world. Born on July 29, 1947 in Columbia, Missouri, he earned both his BA and MBA from the University of Missouri before building one of the most diversified sports empires in American business history.
Kroenke’s wife is Ann Walton, daughter of Bud Walton, the co-founder of Walmart — connecting the Kroenke family directly to one of the greatest retail fortunes in history. As of 2026, Stan Kroenke is the largest private landowner in the United States, owning over 2.7 million acres across the American West and Canada.
His sports portfolio is extraordinary. Through KSE, he owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche (NHL), the Colorado Mammoth (NLL), the Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Arsenal F.C. of the English Premier League — which won the 2025–26 Premier League title.
He also owns the Los Angeles Rams (NFL), who play at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which KSE also owns. His teams have collectively won multiple championships including Super Bowls, Stanley Cups, NBA championships, MLS Cups, and now the Premier League.
From Pepsi Center to Ball Arena: The Name Change Story
For 21 years, the arena was known as Pepsi Center — a name that became deeply embedded in Denver’s sports culture. The arena opened under that name in 1999, hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention, and saw the Colorado Avalanche win Stanley Cup championships within its walls.
Then, on October 22, 2020, KSE announced a global multi-year naming rights agreement with Ball Corporation, a Broomfield, Colorado-based manufacturer of aluminum packaging and aerospace products.
The venue was officially renamed Ball Arena as part of a sustainability-focused partnership — Ball became the exclusive sustainability partner of the arena, and all KSE venues committed to transitioning to Ball’s recyclable aluminum packaging to reduce plastic waste.
The name change was part of a broader corporate rebranding story for Ball Corporation itself, which has been pivoting its public image toward sustainability and clean technology.
For KSE, it was a straightforward commercial deal — naming rights revenue in exchange for prominent brand visibility across one of Denver’s most attended venues.
The $135 Million Renovation: Breaking News from September 2026
Just ten days ago — on Friday, September 18, 2026 — KSE announced the most significant news about Ball Arena in years: a comprehensive $135 million renovation that will transform the 27-year-old venue before the 2028–29 seasons.
The renovation plan includes an expansion of the East Atrium to welcome guests from the downtown side of the building, featuring an expansive glass façade, new escalators, and a new team shop.
It also includes widening of entrances, exits, and concourses to eliminate congestion in the busiest areas, point-of-sale tech upgrades to shorten wait times, and additional premium space in the form of three new clubs, including one with direct access to reserved 100-level seating.
KSE Founder, Owner and Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke said in the official announcement: “When we acquired the Nuggets, Avalanche, and the Arena, we committed to developing winning teams and to supporting the City of Denver.
The renovated Ball Arena and the subsequent redevelopment of the surrounding land allow us to keep doing both for another 25 years and beyond.”
Construction will be done in phases to minimize the impact on fans and neighbors, with completion expected in time for the 2028–29 seasons. KSE also submitted a formal Site Development Plan to the City of Denver on the same day as the renovation announcement.
The 55-Acre Redevelopment: The Bigger Picture
The $135 million renovation is just one piece of a much larger and more ambitious vision for the land surrounding Ball Arena.
In October 2024, Denver City Council approved KSE’s transformational redevelopment plan for the 55-acre property surrounding Ball Arena — clearing the way for a development of roughly 10–12 million square feet that would give downtown Denver thousands of new high-rise residential units, with at least 18% restricted for affordable housing.
The planned district, known as KSE Arena District, will also include a hotel, a mid-size entertainment venue, a central park, shopping, dining, and office towers.
KSE also owns the 62-acre Elitch Gardens site on the other side of the train tracks — purchased in June 2025 — which it plans to redevelop as part of the same sweeping vision for Central Denver.
The combined project would fundamentally transform the area between Empower Field at Mile High (home of the Denver Broncos) and Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies) into one of the most ambitious urban redevelopment projects in American sports history.
Earlier this decade, KSE signed a lease to remain at Ball Arena or another site in the same location through 2050 — a long-term commitment that signals the family has no intention of moving its teams out of downtown Denver for at least another quarter-century.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who owns Ball Arena in 2026?
Ball Arena is privately owned and operated by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the company of billionaire E. Stanley Kroenke.
Q2. Does Ball Corporation own Ball Arena?
No. Ball Corporation only holds the naming rights — it paid for the right to put its name on the building but does not own any part of the arena itself.
Q3. What was Ball Arena called before?
Ball Arena was previously known as Pepsi Center from its opening in 1999 until October 22, 2020, when Ball Corporation acquired the naming rights.
Q4. What teams play at Ball Arena?
The Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), and Colorado Mammoth (NLL) all call Ball Arena home — all three teams are also owned by KSE.
Q5. Who is Stan Kroenke?
E. Stanley Kroenke is the billionaire founder and chairman of KSE, born in 1947 in Missouri, and the largest private landowner in the U.S. with over 2.7 million acres.
Q6. Is Ball Arena being renovated?
Yes. On September 18, 2026, KSE announced a $135 million renovation to modernize the arena, with completion expected before the 2028–29 seasons.
Q7. How many people does Ball Arena hold?
Ball Arena holds 19,520 for basketball, 17,809 for hockey and lacrosse, and up to 21,000 for concerts and end-stage events.
Q8. How long is KSE committed to Ball Arena?
KSE signed a lease to remain at Ball Arena or a replacement venue on the same site through 2050, ensuring the arena remains a downtown Denver fixture for decades.
Ball Arena is 100% privately owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), the Denver-based holding company of billionaire E. Stanley Kroenke. Ball Corporation owns only the naming rights — not the building.
The arena opened as Pepsi Center in 1999, was renamed Ball Arena in October 2020, and has been the home of the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth ever since.
On September 18, 2026, KSE announced a $135 million renovation to modernize the venue by the 2028–29 seasons, as part of a sweeping 55-acre redevelopment of the surrounding area that will reshape downtown Denver for decades to come.