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Bay Area sports fans and music lovers both can’t wait to get inside Chase Center, the new San Francisco home of the Golden State Warriors.
Of course, it doesn’t open until September. Yet, I was fortunate enough to get a private hard-hat tour of the state-of-the-art venue, which will seat just over 18,000. And, yes, I had to wear a hard hat (as well as work boots, safety goggles and vest) as I went on this tour, since construction was very much still underway as I went on this tour.
Now, I’d like to bring you on it as well — via video — as we get a first look inside the future home of the Warriors.
Let’s start with the most important part, which, for me, was to walk out onto the arena floor for the first time and see the place where all the music and sports action will take place.
Stepping out on arena floor for first time at @warriors @ChaseCenter pic.twitter.com/41gTpPo1yA
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 22, 2019
Then it was time to check out the actual seats, which I’m told will be wider than those at the Warriors longtime home of Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Who doesn't like wider seats? @warriors @ChaseCenter pic.twitter.com/pe5neUrxBp
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 16, 2019
And I can now attest that those seats, which are nicely padded, are indeed pretty comfy. I ventured up into the seats, to try and find a good spot for watching Metallica, Modest Mouse, Janet Jackson and all the other cool acts coming to Chase Center during its first few months of operation.
Sitting in the seats at @warriors @ChaseCenter pic.twitter.com/SZxzt49vfa
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 16, 2019
Of course, it’s been widely publicized that the first performance at Chase Center will be Metallica with the San Francisco Symphony on Sept. 6. And, really, I can’t wait for that show. Still, we might need to put an asterisk next to that whole “first performance” billing.
That’s because the first act to play Chase Center was actually, well, me. I used the occasion to do a little old school hip-hop (the title track to 1985’s “The Fat Boys Are Back),” thus beating Metallica and SF Symphony to the punch by about four months. But don’t worry Lars, James, Kirk, Robert and Michael (Tilson Thomas) — being the second show at Chase Center is still pretty awesome!
Sorry @Metallica … But the first act to play @warriors new @ChaseCenter is actually, well, me. pic.twitter.com/ftfWKfgDxA
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 18, 2019
Did that whet your appetite for more live music at Chase Center? Well, the venue will be offering plenty of during its first few months of operations. Find out more about concerts with Metallica and the SF Symphony, Modest Mouse and the Black Keys, the Dave Matthews Band, Phil Collins and Elton John, who are just some of the acts performing at Chase Center.
And acts won’t just be playing in the arena setting. The building will also have a smaller theater-type setting, but it won’t be ready until Year Two.
There will be smaller-capacity theater setting for shows at @warriors @ChaseCenter, in addition to arena setting for bigger concerts. pic.twitter.com/h8MoWEVjO4
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 18, 2019
One of my favorite parts of the new arena is the grand main entrance.
Hard hat tour of @warriors @ChaseCenter continues … Here is the grand main entrance. pic.twitter.com/WhnbgcBOJe
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 18, 2019
No ticket for the big game? No problem. Just watch Steph Curry drain three pointers on the giant video screen outside.
The front of @warriors @ChaseCenter … That outdoor video screen is going to be HUGE pic.twitter.com/aC0iI4BiIH
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 18, 2019
Here’s a cool model that shows what the finished interior of the arena should look like.
A model of the @warriors new @ChaseCenter … Where will the stage go? pic.twitter.com/mW9mwnosfb
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 16, 2019
This gives you a perspective of what the sight lines will be like from different sections.
What will it look like inside @warriors new @ChaseCenter? Take a look. pic.twitter.com/9QhjdW6C8X
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 16, 2019
We’ll end with this – a look at what the suite life will be like at Chase Center.
Living in STYLE? What will the suite experience be like at @warriors @ChaseCenter? Take a look pic.twitter.com/uIy8vBGjkm
— Jim Harrington (@jimthecritic) May 16, 2019