SAP Center at San Jose: upcoming events, capacity and parking
SAP Center at San Jose is a 17,435-capacity arena in San Jose, California, opened in 1993. It is home to the San Jose Sharks and PWHL San Jose. It hosts NHL hockey, PWHL hockey, concerts and UFC and MMA.
SAP Center at San Jose at a glance
- Type
- Arena
- City
- San Jose, CA
- Capacity
- 17,435
- Opened
- 1993
- Home teams
- San Jose Sharks and PWHL San Jose
- Region
- San Francisco Bay Area
17,435 for hockey, 18,543 for basketball and up to 19,190 for concerts
About SAP Center at San Jose
SAP Center at San Jose opened on September 7, 1993 in downtown San Jose and has been home to the San Jose Sharks ever since, which earned it the nickname The Shark Tank. Owned by the City of San Jose and run by San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises, it seats 17,435 for hockey, 18,543 for basketball and up to 19,190 for concerts. The arena was first called San Jose Arena, then Compaq Center and HP Pavilion, before taking the SAP name in 2013. Starting in 2026 it is also home to PWHL San Jose of the Professional Women's Hockey League. It hosted games three, four and six of the 2016 Stanley Cup Final, the 1997 NHL All-Star Game and UFC 139 in 2011, and the Golden State Warriors played the 1996 to 1997 season here. In 2006 it sold more tickets to non-sporting events than any other venue in the western United States. San Jose Diridon Station is just across the street.
Also known as: SAP Center, HP Pavilion, Compaq Center, San Jose Arena, The Shark Tank.
Upcoming events at SAP Center at San Jose
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How to get to SAP Center at San Jose
Address: 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose, CA 95113
San Jose Diridon Station, served by Caltrain and VTA light rail, is just across the street. The main on-site ABC Lot has about 1,500 spaces with entry from Santa Clara Street or Julian Street. Rideshare drop-off areas are on Montgomery Street, Barack Obama Boulevard, Cahill Street and Montgomery/St. John Street, and pickup zones are on Stockton Avenue, Cahill Street and Almaden Boulevard.
Nearest airports
- SJC San Jose Mineta International Airport: about 3 miles
Other event venues in San Francisco Bay Area
SAP Center at San Jose: common questions
How many people does SAP Center hold?
SAP Center at San Jose seats 17,435 for hockey, 18,543 for basketball and up to 19,190 for concerts. Wrestling events can hold about 18,300. The hockey capacity was 17,562 from 2001 to 2023 before the current layout reduced it slightly.
What teams play at SAP Center?
The San Jose Sharks of the NHL have played at SAP Center since it opened in 1993, which is why fans call it The Shark Tank. PWHL San Jose of the Professional Women’s Hockey League joined as a tenant starting in 2026.
Where is rideshare pickup at SAP Center?
Rideshare pickup zones near SAP Center are on Stockton Avenue, Cahill Street and Almaden Boulevard. Drop-off areas are on Montgomery Street, Barack Obama Boulevard, Cahill Street and Montgomery/St. John Street. The arena publishes a map with exact pickup points for each zone.
What is the closest airport to SAP Center?
San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) is the closest, only about 3 miles from SAP Center, a drive of roughly 10 to 15 minutes in normal traffic. Caltrain and VTA light rail also stop at San Jose Diridon Station, just across the street from the arena.
Facts on this page were checked against: en.wikipedia.org, www.sapcenter.com, www.sapcenter.com, unchartedlens.com. Last reviewed 2026-11-05.
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