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Oklahoma City topped USA TODAY’s 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice rankings as the nation’s Best NBA City, an honor announced Oct. 21 just as the Thunder kicked off the 2026–27 season. The recognition crystallizes a momentum shift: the team’s recent success and a lively game-day scene are raising the city’s profile for fans and visitors alike.
The fan-driven poll singled out several local touchpoints: Paycom Center won Best NBA Arena, the venue placed second in Best NBA Arena Dining and Concessions, and the franchise mascot, Rumble the Bison, was named Best NBA Mascot.
What voters recognized
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Public voting determined the results, reflecting strong grassroots enthusiasm around Oklahoma City basketball rather than a critics’ pick. For residents and travelers, the awards underline both the quality of the in-arena experience and the wider civic spotlight the team now attracts.
- Best NBA City — Oklahoma City (USA TODAY 2026 Readers’ Choice)
- Best NBA Arena — Paycom Center
- Second place — Best NBA Arena Dining and Concessions
- Best NBA Mascot — Rumble the Bison
New game-day bites and concessions
As the season begins, Paycom Center has expanded its food lineup to complement the honors. New items include smoked bologna paninis, birria nachos and pork belly burnt ends, alongside a dedicated edible cookie-dough bar with flavors such as chocolate chip, Rumble Dough and Red Dirt Rally.
Local pizza favorite Empire Slice House has also created an arena-exclusive pie topped with roasted chicken, red bell peppers and onions, finished with a barbecue-sriracha drizzle — a sign that venues are leaning into regional vendors to broaden fan options.
These additions aim to enhance the in-arena atmosphere and keep concessions competitive with other top NBA venues — part of what voters evidently rewarded.
Why this matters now
The timing matters: the awards arrived after the Thunder’s landmark 2025 championship and at the start of a new season, when national attention and visitor traffic both rise. Civic leaders say sustained sports success can translate into more visitors, downtown business activity and media coverage.
Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, framed the recognition as evidence of the city’s momentum and community pride, noting how the team and its home games help showcase Oklahoma City to a wider audience.
For regular attendees and out-of-town fans, the takeaway is practical: expect a lively crowd, expanded food choices and an arena experience that now carries national accolades.
Perspective
Oklahoma City’s trajectory is a reminder that professional sports can reshape a city’s identity over time. The Thunder’s on-court success and the Paycom Center’s upgrades have combined to create an environment voters found worthy of top billing — and that process looks set to continue as the season unfolds.
