Frost Bank Center – San Antonio Spurs

Photos by Eric Moreno, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14

Frost Bank Center 1 Frost Bank Center Drive San Antonio, TX 78219

San Antonio Spurs website Frost Bank Center website

Year Opened: 2002 Capacity: 18,418

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San Antonio Spurs – Frost Bank Center

Since 2002, the San Antonio Spurs have called Frost Bank Center on the east side of town in the Alamo City their home. The Spurs won four of their five NBA Championships as tenants of Frost Bank Center, and the ABA transplant franchise grew many of their great Hall of Fame players while residing here; this includes Tim Duncan, David Robinson, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili, while head coach Gregg Popovich also saw the vast majority of his wins at the “Barn”.

While the arena has undergone numerous upgrades and renovations over the years, including a massive renovation in 2015, its days are officially numbered in terms of it being home of the Spurs. The team is building a new facility in downtown San Antonio, closer to the River Walk, the Alamodome, and all the energy, history, and entertainment that has become associated with the Alamo City.

For the next few years, however, Frost Bank Center will still be the home of the Silver and Black. This looks like a great time to be a fan, as well. Thanks to the Spurs hitting the NBA Draft Lottery, they have had a score of top 10 picks that look to all be coming together at once. It’s good times again in the Alamo City, as well as at Frost Bank Center. Read on to learn more.

Food & Beverage   5

The concession offerings at Frost Bank Center have always been first rate. The culinary scene is always evolving, but you can still find some old reliable options. Whataburger, Pluckers Wing Bar, Pizza Hut, and this season’s new tenant, Taco Palenque,are some of the more well-known brands. There are also stands for barbecue, tacos, burgers, chicken fingers, and fruit cups scattered throughout the three main levels of the arena.

On the plaza level you’ll also find SA Central, a culinary experience curated by a host of SA’s local celebrity chefs. Burgers, tacos, and sandwiches with just the right amount of San Antonio flare can be ordered up. The Spurs also feature a culinary residency program, in which they offer concession space to small, minority-owned businesses in the community – the rotating group this season includes Sari-Sari Filipino Restaurant, which offers up their signature hand-rolled lumpia, barbecue pork skewers, and pancit bihon, a dish of noodles, carrots, beans, and onion. It is delicious.

Other offerings include Peach Cobbler Factory and Beignet Stand. If you’ve got a sweet tooth like me, these spots are sure not to be missed. Their names say it all.

The arena also now boasts more self-service kiosks, where you can get a hot dog, popcorn, nachos, or bottled drinks while avoiding large crowds. These are great to take advantage of if you want something in the middle of the game.

Atmosphere   4

I’ve been coming to see the Spurs at Frost Bank Center since day one. What they have always done and still do well is make the games feel like big events. This is not always easy to do during the long NBA season.

The Spurs hold numerous theme nights and giveaways throughout the season. The various jerseys and court stylings throughout the year (like what is done for the Emirates Cup) keep things fresh for fans.

You can also find spots in Frost Bank Center, like the Michelob Ultra Club and Patio that give fans an almost sports bar-like experience during games. The patio features a stage for live musical performances before and after Spurs games on most evenings.

There is also a massive team store on the main level of the arena, which was expanded in time for the most recent season, giving fans even more merchandise while removing some of the bottleneck that used to occur during games.

Also, the Spurs have decorated Frost Bank Center with a ton of art, most of which has been done by SA artists and offers great photo opportunities. Be sure not to miss the life-size statue of the Coyote (more on him later) on the main concourse level.

Lastly, like most teams the Spurs proudly display representations of the team’s glory years. This includes hanging their championship banners from the rafters, along with the retired jersey numbers of past team greats. You can also take a picture with the team’s five NBA trophies near the Michelob Ultra Club.

Neighborhood   3

I have written about this extensively in past reviews, so there is not much need to rehash it. This section has, by far, the lowest score to be had in this review. San Antonio is a dynamic city with a ton of things to offer for visiting fans. Entertainment, history, culture abound, especially in the downtown area, where the new arena is under construction. Scores of dining, lodging, shopping, and points of interest can be found for anyone and everyone, with the only limit being your budget.

Make sure to make a visit downtown, see the Alamo, go to the top of the Tower of the Americas, have a picnic in Hemisfair Park, stroll the River Walk, shop and eat at the Historic Pearl or Shops at River Center, and rest your head at the Grand Hyatt River Walk or Hotel Emma, then head further out to Six Flags Fiesta Texas or SeaWorld San Antonio. These are the types of experiences you want in your visit to the Alamo City, and they’re all a relatively short drive from Frost Bank Center, but they’re not right by it.

The east side of town, where the arena is located, is growing, but the area immediately surrounding the facility has not kept up with that. Quite frankly, there is very little to see and do before or after Spurs games in the vicinity.

You can find a few fast-food options and motel-type facilities in the immediate area, and directly across the street from the venue is Willow Springs Golf Course, one of the San Antonio’s municipal offerings. That’s about it though.

Fans   5

So far this season, the Spurs are averaging well over 18,000 fans per home game at Frost Bank Center. This means it’s been a virtual sellout for nearly every game. In addition, thanks to standing room only areas, the team has reached nearly 19,000 fans for three games already this season – these are numbers the team hasn’t seen since the championship era. Good times are indeed back in the Alamo City.

The fans have always come out and supported the team, mainly because the Spurs are the city’s only major professional club. However, the relationship runs deep; the Spurs are part of San Antonio and vice-versa. The two are almost inextricably entwined now.

New this year is a special supports group: the Jackals. Modeled after European futbol fan groups, the Jackals are an exclusive group where those wishing to join have to try out beforehand. This is a truly innovative addition to the team, and they have been a boon to games. They are LOUD.

Access   4

Even though it lies within a virtual island unto itself, Frost Bank Center is surprisingly easy to get to. Situated between Interstates 10 and 35, the exits are clearly marked and once you get there, there are plenty of spots in the nearby parking lots – many of the industrial buildings in the area will also open up their lots, as well. It really just depends on how far you want to walk and how much you want to pay.

If you do drive in, the routes from both highways tend to get backed up with traffic before and after games.

If you’re flying in from out of town, Frost Bank Center is just under a 20-minute drive from San Antonio International Airport.

Return on Investment   4

It used to be a bargain to get into Spurs games, especially the past five-plus years, as the club has been rebuilding. These days though, the prices are a little higher. Single-game tickets purchased through the team start at $44, while on the secondary market, the lowest I could find was $35 each.

The concessions, souvenirs, and parking are pretty much on par with what you will find throughout the rest of the NBA. For parking, as mentioned earlier, it depends on how far you’re willing to walk and how much you’re willing to pay. I did see some lots charging $25.

In the past, paying these prices would’ve really hurt while the team was rebuilding. These days, however, fans seem glad to pay them while they watch the Spurs rise again. In the big picture though, these costs still pale in comparison to those fans pay in bigger markets.

Extras   4

I have mentioned in past reviews my deep and abiding love for the Spurs mascot, Coyote. Growing up in in the Alamo City, the Coyote has been indoctrinated into the life of every young person for the past 40-ish years. He’s been the best in the business for years, and he’s still going strong. I almost gave this section a score of “5” on the strength of him alone.

In the mid-2010s the Spurs were one of the first teams to abandon having a traditional female-only dance team (RIP to the Silver Dancers). In lieu of them, they introduced a co-ed Spurs Hype Squad that performs stunts, dance, tumbling, and acrobatic routines throughout each game. They’re pretty fun to watch. Coupling them with the in-arena DJ really enhances the atmosphere in Frost Bank Center, and makes it a place unlike any other in the NBA.

Final Thoughts

I’ve seen the Spurs at Frost Bank Center more than any other pro sports team. The experience is still a fantastic one and they have done everything and anything to make it better over the years. Sports fans really need to add it to their bucket list while they can. In the meantime, Go Spurs Go!

Follow Eric Moreno's Stadium Journey on Twitter at @EricMoreno6477.