Crews finish Phase 1 of Delta Center rebuild in time for first Mammoth preseason games

Crews lay piping that carries the solution that freezes the ice on the arena floor during the recent remodel of Delta Center. The changes, completed since the end of the 2024-25 hockey season, increased the hockey seating capacity of the venue and eliminated restricted sightlines. (Photo courtesy Okland Construction)

By all accounts, fans are giving glowing reviews for the recently completed hockey-centric transformation of Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City. 

When the arena first reopened to spectators for the Utah Mammoth’s 2-1 preseason win over the Los Angeles Kings earlier this month, the problems that plagued hockey enthusiasts during last year’s inaugural hockey season — most notably sightlines and the ability to see the ice sheet — have been solved, making the experience much better.

The overhaul was launched last spring as fans and teams were leaving Delta Center at the end of the season’s final Mammoth home game against the St. Louis Blues on April 15. The frantic effort, spearheaded by Utah Jazz, Mammoth and Delta Center owner Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), concluded in late September and marked the first phase of a multi-year transformation process. Okland Construction was the general contractor for the remodel.

The off-season, ground-up transformation of the arena began with key structural changes, including the installation of a one-of-a-kind riser seating system, custom-designed for Delta Center, which improves sightlines and adds capacity for Mammoth games in the lower bowl, while maintaining close-to-the-action seating at Jazz games. The retractable system accommodates a nearly 12-foot variance in elevation between rink and court endlines.

The bowl was also lengthened by 12 feet at each end and the event floor was raised two feet to create ideal sight lines and accommodate a new ice floor slab. This resulted in the removal of a wall on Level 3 and opening the space behind the end zone to the concourse, a temporary change that will be further adjusted in future phases of construction. Collective Phase 1 innovations resulted in full unobstructed views for every lower-bowl seat and the addition of more than 1,100 new seats, for an official full-view capacity of 12,478 seats for Mammoth games this season, with no significant change in seating capacity for Jazz games. Other major innovations completed in Phase 1 include the complete remodel of Black Desert Club located on Level 2 and the start of construction on a 450-stall parking structure that is set to be completed prior to the 2026-27 season.

In addition to the structural changes completed during the first phase, Delta Center will introduce new food and beverage offerings, the latest Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth apparel and merchandise and other updates and innovations designed to further enhance the fan environment at all games and events, Smith Entertainment said in a release.

The new food and beverage options will be available on all levels of the arena, including new menu items from popular Utah-based restaurants, and additional beer distribution stations along the Level 3 concourse. Some of the highlights among new team-themed items include Jazz Note-shaped Banbury Cross Donuts, a Mammoth Ice Cream Sundae from Salt City Honey House, treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes and some candy options. Other new local vendors include Dangerous Pretzels, Proper Burger, Totally Nuts and San Diablo Churros. The popular existing Mountain Menu will remain available at concession stands on concourse Level 3 and Level 5.

In May, SEG announced a partnership with Fanatics, which runs the teams’ retail business, both e-commerce and in-venue. This season, the Jazz and Mammoth will both introduce new official team uniforms, which fans will be able to purchase at the Team Store inside Delta Center.

SEG also said that to ensure guest safety and enjoyment inside the arena, signs and posters are no longer permitted inside Delta Center for Jazz games, Mammoth games, concerts and events, unless otherwise specified by a specific concert or event promoter. Complete details on additional arena policies are available at the Delta Center website.

A new ride-share zone has also been implemented outside the Delta Center plaza, at the northwest corner of John Stockton Drive and 100 South, making it easier for fans to attend a game or event. In partnership with Lyft, the designated location for ride-share dropoff and pickup zones will create a streamlined experience for passengers who use these services to attend a game or event.

The Delta Center was built as a modern replacement for the aging Salt Palace in 1991, primarily to house the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake Golden Eagles. Spearheaded and financed by then-Jazz owner Larry H. Miller, construction finished in a record 15 months, creating an arena that hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games’ figure skating and short track speed skating events. The arena has been renamed several times, becoming EnergySolutions Arena and then Vivint Smart Home Arena before reverting to its original Delta Center name on July 1, 2023.