The Salt Lake City Arena, home to both the NHL's Utah Hockey Club and the NBA's Utah Jazz, is set for significant renovations in a project aimed at enhancing fan experience and capacity. Announced by the Smith Entertainment Group, the initial phase will commence this summer, increasing hockey seating by 1,400 to a total of 17,000. NBA capacity will rise to nearly 19,000. The renovations will include a new ice floor slab and a retractable seating system to optimize sightlines for both sports. These upgrades reflect a commitment to improving the arena's geometry to accommodate hockey effectively, which has historically faced challenges due to its original design primarily for basketball.

Jim Olson, the Jazz president, expressed optimism about the improvements, emphasizing the goal of enhancing the overall spectator experience for both hockey and basketball fans. The renovations, expected to unfold over three summers, will finally bring a permanent identity for the new NHL team, previously known as the Utah Hockey Club. With name options such as Mammoth and Outlaws under consideration, the anticipation builds for both the team and its dedicated fan base.