Seat changes are officially underway at Toyota Center

In a self-funded project (reportedly at an investment of over $10 million), the Houston Rockets are replacing the 17,000 bowl seats inside their home arena of Toyota Center. The new seats feature a black sports-weave material, which will represent a noticeable change relative to the venue’s current color scheme of red.

In advance of Wednesday’s game versus the Washington Wizards, which kicks off a three-game homestand over the next five days, the Rockets completed the renovation on three upper-level sections. Others throughout the building will change as the 2025-26 NBA season progresses.

All of the new seats, which are shown below, include attached cup holders.

Because the initial completed sections are in the upper level, the backdrop is unlikely to look different for fans watching on television. However, that could change as the season progresses and the work eventually migrates to the lower level.

No scheduling shutdowns are anticipated due to the project, and the change will not cause the venue to lose any seating capacity. The current bowl seats, other than the suite level, are “original to the building,” which first opened in 2003.

The seating and platform upgrades are among many recommendations from a facility condition assessment by Venue Solutions Group, which advised that Toyota Center needs a total of $635.8 million in maintenance work over the next 20 years.

In 2025, Toyota Center is now in its third operational decade. With many architectural, mechanical, and technological features original to the building, replacements are becoming necessary after 20-plus years of use, according to the assessment (via the Houston Business Journal). But while the arena requires modernization, the assessment found that the facilitity generally remains in good condition and has been well-maintained throughout.

Under the leadership of team owner Tilman Fertitta, the Rockets have made a series of renovations to Toyota Center in recent years. That process remains ongoing, with seating upgrades representing the latest and most visible phase.

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