Professional sports in Oklahoma might surprise you with its depth and variety. While the Oklahoma City Thunder grabs most headlines as the state's only major league franchise, ten other professional and semi-professional teams call the Sooner State home, offering everything from Triple-A baseball to championship hockey.
Following the Oklahoma City Thunder without breaking the bank
The Thunder dominates Oklahoma's sports conversation, and for good reason. Since arriving from Seattle in 2008, the team has become the heartbeat of downtown Oklahoma City, generating an estimated $590 million in annual economic impact while giving locals something to argue about besides the weather.
Getting tickets that won't require a second mortgage
Let's address the elephant in the room: Thunder tickets aren't cheap, but they're not impossible either. Upper-level seats start at $29, which is roughly the cost of taking your family to the movies these days (popcorn not included). The real wallet-busters are courtside seats that can hit $2,700 for marquee games, presumably because you're paying for the privilege of having Russell Westbrook's sweat land on you.
Season tickets for 2025-26 are mostly gone, though quarter-season packages remain available with a $100 deposit. That gets you 10 games, which is perfect if you want to feel like a real fan but also enjoy having money for groceries.
For those who prefer their basketball from the comfort of their couch (no judgment here), games air on FanDuel Sports Network Oklahoma locally, with 25 national broadcasts scattered across ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. The NBA League Pass runs $89.99 for Thunder-only coverage, which sounds steep until you factor in stadium parking costs.
The current Thunder roster and why you should care
The 2024-25 Thunder features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who plays basketball like he's conducting a symphony while everyone else is playing kazoos. Chet Holmgren brings his unique "tall person who moves like a guard" energy, while Jalen Williams and newly acquired Alex Caruso round out a core that actually knows how to play defense.
Under head coach Mark Daigneault and general manager Sam Presti, the Thunder has built through the draft with the patience of someone assembling a 10,000-piece puzzle. They reached the NBA Finals in 2012 (losing to Miami) and have produced two MVP winners in Kevin Durant (2014) and Russell Westbrook (2017).
Baseball brings affordable family fun to Oklahoma
Professional baseball in Oklahoma offers what the Thunder can't: the ability to take your entire family to a game without refinancing your house. The state hosts two Los Angeles Dodgers affiliates that provide genuine professional baseball at minor league prices.
Oklahoma City Comets take flight in 2025
The Oklahoma City team just underwent a rebrand that actually makes sense. Now called the Comets in honor of Mickey Mantle, the "Commerce Comet" himself, the Triple-A franchise embraces a space theme that's both locally relevant and kid-friendly.
Playing at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark (capacity 13,066), the Comets offer a downtown baseball experience where tickets range from $9-89. That's right, you can watch future major leaguers for less than a large pizza. The venue sits in the heart of Bricktown, meaning you can grab dinner, catch a game, and still have money left over for the babysitter.
Notable alumni who've passed through Oklahoma City include:
- Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg
- Current Dodgers stars Corey Seager
- World Series hero Cody Bellinger
- Pitcher Walker Buehler
The 70-plus home game schedule runs April through September, offering plenty of opportunities to witness either the next MLB superstar or at least some quality baseball on a Tuesday night.
Tulsa Drillers keep Double-A tradition alive
Two hours up the turnpike, the Tulsa Drillers have been developing Dodgers prospects since 1977. They play at ONEOK Field in Tulsa's Greenwood District, a 7,833-seat gem that proves minor league baseball can have major league amenities.
The Drillers serve as that crucial Double-A step where prospects either prove they belong or discover they really should have finished that accounting degree. With four championships in their history, they've mastered the art of competitive baseball while keeping things fun with promotions that would make P.T. Barnum jealous.
Basketball beyond the bright lights
Not everyone can afford Thunder tickets, and that's where Oklahoma's other basketball options shine. The state offers professional hoops at every price point, from the Thunder's G League affiliate to semi-pro teams that play with the intensity of people who still have day jobs (because they do).
Oklahoma City Blue bridges the gap
The OKC Blue serves as the Thunder's NBA G League team, playing select games at Paycom Center when the big club is on the road. Tickets run $12-50, which means you can watch legitimate professional basketball for less than a Thunder parking pass.
The franchise actually has serious credentials, winning back-to-back championships in 2004-05 when they were the Asheville Altitude. Now they develop Thunder prospects and give fans a chance to say "I saw him when" about future NBA players.
Semi-pro teams bring community pride
The Basketball League features three Oklahoma teams that prove professional sports exists beyond major markets:
The Potawatomi Fire in Shawnee just won back-to-back TBL championships (2023-24), owned and operated by the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It's a beautiful example of tribal sovereignty extending into professional sports, and they're really good at basketball too.
The Enid Outlaws claimed the 2021 TBL championship, giving Enid something to celebrate beyond wheat harvests. Meanwhile, the Western Oklahoma SkyKings relocated to El Reno in January 2025, because apparently every Oklahoma town deserves professional basketball.
Hockey and soccer round out the professional landscape
Tulsa Oilers keep 96-year tradition on ice
The Tulsa Oilers carry a hockey tradition dating to 1929, which in Oklahoma terms makes them practically ancient. The current franchise plays in the ECHL as an affiliate of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, competing at BOK Center's 17,096-seat arena.
They won the Central Hockey League championship in their 1992-93 inaugural season and joined the ECHL in 2014. For Oklahomans who miss winter weather (all three of them), the Oilers provide authentic ice hockey with real checking and occasional fights that would make their oil-drilling namesakes proud.
Soccer struggles to find its footing
Professional soccer in Oklahoma exists in that awkward space between "growing sport" and "still figuring things out." FC Tulsa plays at ONEOK Field from March through September, sharing the venue with the Drillers in an arrangement that somehow works despite soccer and baseball fields having completely different dimensions.
OKC Energy FC presents a more complicated story. They've been on hiatus since 2021 because their stadium didn't meet league requirements, which is like being told your house is too small for a dinner party. They're planning a 2027 return with a new 12,300-capacity stadium in lower Bricktown, funded partly by $37 million from the MAPS 4 initiative.
The Energy FC made three straight playoff appearances from 2015-17 and maintains a rivalry with FC Tulsa called the Black Gold Derby, because every Oklahoma rivalry needs an oil reference.
Understanding the real economic impact
Here's where things get interesting (or depressing, depending on your perspective on public stadium funding). The Thunder generates massive economic activity, but economists love pointing out that sports impact studies often exaggerate benefits.
According to official economic reports, the Thunder contributes:
- $590 million annual economic impact
- 3,000 jobs supported
- $30 million in tax revenue
- $500,000 per game in outside-arena spending
However, economist J.C. Bradbury from Kennesaw State notes that professional sports' economic impact often equals that of a mid-sized department store. A 2017 survey found 27 of 28 economists agreed stadium subsidies likely cost taxpayers more than any local economic benefits generated.
The cultural impact proves harder to measure but arguably matters more. The Thunder gave Oklahoma City something Portland, San Antonio, and Salt Lake City already had: major league validation. That psychological boost might be worth more than any economic study can calculate.
Venues that make it all possible
Oklahoma's sports venues range from the Thunder's soon-to-be-replaced Paycom Center to minor league gems that punch above their weight class.
Paycom Center opened in 2002 and hosts over one million visitors annually between Thunder games, concerts, and events. With 18,203 seats for basketball (expandable to 19,711 for concerts), 3,380 club seats, and 49 private suites, it's a proper NBA arena that's already showing its age. Hence the $900 million replacement planned for 2028.
Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark consistently ranks among America's finest minor league facilities. Opened in 1998 as part of Oklahoma City's downtown renaissance, it proves that minor league doesn't mean minor quality.
BOK Center in Tulsa, designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli, opened in 2008 and ranks among North America's busiest arenas despite Tulsa's relatively modest size. It hosts the Oilers plus major concerts, because Tulsa residents deserve nice things too.
ONEOK Field pulls double duty, hosting both the Drillers and FC Tulsa in an innovative shared arrangement that probably requires a very detailed scheduling spreadsheet.
Community programs that actually matter
Every team claims community involvement, but Oklahoma's teams actually deliver meaningful programs:
Thunder initiatives include:
- Read to Achieve literacy programs
- Rolling Thunder Book Bus
- Thunder Fit health programs
- Mandatory player memorial visits
The Comets run PLAY BALL clinics, while the Blue hosts Field Trip Days that introduce kids to professional sports without the professional prices. These programs reach thousands of children annually, though measuring their long-term impact requires the kind of longitudinal study nobody wants to fund.
Looking ahead to Oklahoma's sporting future
The landscape keeps evolving with confirmed projects and wishful thinking. The Thunder's new $900 million arena arrives by 2028, presumably with cupholders that actually hold modern beverage sizes. OKC Energy FC returns in 2027 with their new stadium, assuming construction stays on schedule (insert laughter here).
State Representative Jon Echols' HB 3959 created incentive programs offering up to 5% payroll rebates for professional teams, positioning Oklahoma to compete for MLS or NHL expansion. As the 47th-largest media market nationally, Oklahoma faces an uphill battle, but stranger things have happened (like Oklahoma getting an NBA team in the first place).
Your complete guide to following Oklahoma sports
Whether you're a lifelong Oklahoman or just moved here for the reasonable housing costs, here's your practical guide to engaging with professional sports:
Best value experiences:
- Comets games at Bricktown
- Blue basketball at Paycom
- Drillers summer evening games
- TBL basketball in smaller cities
Splurge-worthy moments:
- Thunder playoff games
- Opening Day baseball
- Weekend Thunder games
- Championship matches
For comprehensive schedules and tickets, check Visit OKC's sports section or individual team websites. Most teams offer group packages, theme nights, and promotions that make attendance more affordable than you'd expect.
Professional sports in Oklahoma extends far beyond the Thunder's spotlight. From Triple-A baseball's family-friendly atmosphere to semi-pro basketball's community pride, the state offers year-round professional sports at every price point. The teams might not always win championships, but they provide something equally valuable: shared experiences that bring communities together, create lasting memories, and give us all something to cheer about besides falling gas prices.
The economic impact remains debatable, but the cultural impact feels undeniable. These teams, from the Thunder down to the Potawatomi Fire, create gathering places, develop young athletes, and remind us that Oklahoma deserves professional sports just as much as any coastal metropolis. Even if our soccer team is temporarily homeless and our new arena won't be ready until 2028.
