Suspended high above the hardwood, these aggressive new vertical vantage points mirror double-black diamond slopes to deliver unobstructed sightlines and a rowdy, intensified atmosphere for fans.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith recently highlighted another major step in the ongoing Delta Center renovation project, posting a look at the arena’s new gondola overhang seating area, which will end up being a suspended, top‑level section designed to reshape sightlines and add a unique viewing experience for fans. Smith’s tweet not only showed the progress of the new seating option, but also showcased the progress on the north wall of the stadium. Regarding the north wall, Smith said it’s “going to be steep!”
The gondola seating options are part of Smith Entertainment Group’s multi‑year overhaul of the Delta Center, aimed at improving visibility for both basketball and hockey while modernizing the arena’s upper bowl. According to the renovation plans, the gondola sections run along each sideline and will seat over 200 fans, offering a steep, vertical vantage point that sits above the rest of the upper bowl.
Smith described the design as intentionally aggressive, comparing the vertical layout to a “double‑black diamond” ski slope, which is a monumental shift from the arena’s previous long, shallow upper‑bowl configuration. The goal is to eliminate obstructed views and create a louder, more intense environment by bringing fans closer to the action despite being positioned higher in the building.
The gondolas are part of the north‑end renovation phase, which includes new terrace‑style seating ledges and a full rebuild of the upper bowl’s structure. Construction began earlier this summer and is scheduled to be completed before the upcoming season, alongside the new southwest parking structure.
These upgrades are one piece of a broader, multi‑year plan that will eventually lead to a renovation of every seating area in the arena. Future phases include redesigned concourses, expanded club spaces, new social areas, increased bathroom capacity and a new main entrance and outdoor plaza.
For now, the gondola overhang seating represents the most striking visual and structural change, providing a suspended, vertical fan section that didn’t exist in any previous Delta Center configuration. Smith’s post is a welcome sign for fans that the Jazz are continuing to push the building upward, modernizing the arena with a design rarely seen in NBA venues.
The gondolas will be one of the signature additions when the Delta Center reopens, giving fans a new way to watch the Jazz from above the court with a direct, unobstructed view. And with a new era underway, headlined by the No. 2 pick, Darryn Peterson, there is no better time to modernize, giving players the best atmosphere and fans the best experience as this revamped squad takes the court.
