SAP Center San Jose Guide

SAP Center in San Jose, California is an indoor arena and entertainment center, home of the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. SAP Center has earned the nickname “The Shark Tank.” SAP Center hosts over 100 sporting events annually, 40 of which are regular season home games of the San Jose Sharks. 

Grammy award-winning musicians, family- and children-oriented shows, and Olympic athletes perform in front of regularly sold-out crowds at SAP Center, earning it recognition from Pollstar as the fourth arena in North America based on non-sports event attendance.   

About SAP Center in San Jose

SAP Center in San Jose sprawls across a 17-acre site area, a mile away from the Convention Center, at the heart of Silicon Valley. To find the SAP Center in San Jose California, you can simply type in the following address in your navigation map for further instructions: 

• 525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113

You can reach SAP Center in San Jose using public transportation, including the VTA (Valley Transit Authority) buses and light rail, passenger and ride-share options with pick-up zones and drop-off areas around the SAP Center, and many other options. Note that 20 to 30 minutes following the event’s conclusion, Santa Clara Street from Barack Obama Boulevard to Cahill Street is closed for all vehicular traffic for safety reasons, so plan your route accordingly. 

History and Ownership

A shining steel facade and a majestic glass pyramid that rises ten stories above the ground is a monument to the perfect match between technology and architectural ingenuity that is SAP Center in San Jose.

SAP Center in San Jose opened on Sept. 7, 1993, as a $157.6 million facility that revitalized the crumbling core of the city. The measure on the arena passed muster with the voters in June 1988, despite the issues the city had been facing at the time, such as overpriced construction projects and a $60 million bond loss. 

The arena was financed through funds from the Redevelopment Agency and the city coffers, which were ultimately 50% higher than the original estimate.

When it was constructed in 1993, the arena was originally named San Jose Arena. In 1996, it even served as home to the Golden State Warriors while their Oakland Arena was under renovation. 

In 2001, the naming rights were purchased by a tech company Compaq which renamed it Compaq Center in San Jose. A year later, HP acquired Compaq and gave the arena its third moniker: HP Pavilion. 

In 2013, the German software giant SAP AG purchased the naming rights for $8 million and renamed the arena SAP Center in San Jose. 

The city of San Jose owns the arena, while its daily operation is trusted upon Sharks Sports & Entertainment.    

SAP Center in San Jose Capacity and Features

The standard SAP Center in San Jose’s capacity for hockey matches is 17,500 spectators, rising to 18,500 for basketball, concerts, and other events. For a detailed SAP Center in San Jose seating chart, you can consult the interactive seat map for Sharks matches, ticket prices, and other valuable information. 

Some of the arena features include an open public concourse, a club area, 64 executive suites, and a penthouse plaza for professional gatherings. Along the public concourse, you can find the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame with over 100 bronze plaques of Hall of Fame inductees. 

Sports Betting at SAP Center in San Jose

Sports betting at SAP Center in San Jose appears to be far from reality. Voters on the Nov. 8 ballot didn’t support legal sports betting apps in California and their retail counterparts. Unless the propositions change to include potential sports betting kiosks at sporting venues, it’s highly unlikely that SAP Center in San Jose will ever host one. 

The 450,000-square-foot internal space at SAP Center allows for over 20 concessions and suites, but a sportsbook is not one of them. Californians rejected both Proposition 26 and 27, thus effectively putting a stop to legal sports betting in the state for the time being. 

Retail sportsbooks in California, especially at sporting venues, aren’t a reality yet. Until that happens, you can enjoy exciting San Jose Sharks games, the upcoming 2023 Toyota US Figure Skating Championships, and many great shows.

Bets Offered at SAP Center in San Jose

Provided that the proposed sports betting legislation changes and allows for sports venues to partner with sports betting companies such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, and others, the following betting menu can be expected: 

• Moneyline
• Parlays
• Props
• Point spread
• Totals (over/under)
• Futures
• Live betting

SAP Center in San Jose Partnerships

There are no known partnerships between SAP Center and sports betting and casino companies. 

SAP Center in San Jose Rewards 

SAP Center in San Jose doesn’t run a loyalty program but offers group discounts, and if you’re a group leader, you may be eligible to claim rewards for your efforts. 

SAP Center in San Jose Parking 

SAP Center in San Jose parking options includes 1,600 on-site parking spaces and over 6,000 additional parking spaces within a half-mile radius of the arena. The VTA also provides a free shuttle service from most parking garages directly to the SAP Center. 

The parking lots usually open 2.5 hours before the starting time of the events. Season ticket holders may even buy prepaid parking before the beginning of the season, which guarantees them a spot on the ABC on-site parking lot. 

Tailgating is prohibited at the parking lot as per San Jose City Ordinance.

SAP Center in San Jose Accommodations

SAP Center in San Jose doesn’t have a hotel on the premises, but there are several hotels nearby, all within a minute by car from the arena, such as: 

• The Arena Hotel: 817 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126 
• AC Hotel by Marriott San Jose Downtown: 350 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113
• Hotel De Anza – Destination by Hyatt: 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

SAP Center in San Jose Client Services 

There are two information desks at the north and south entrances where you can inquire about ticketing, SAP Center fan conduct, or get information about the arena in general. The venue prides itself on offering first-class customer service, so you can count on friendly and responsive customer service agents at all times. 

SAP Center in San Jose Online Sportsbook 

Since 82.3% of the voters didn’t support Proposition 27, online sports betting in California seems to have a long way to go before it materializes. 

SAP Center in San Jose FAQ