Arena Digest - The Palace / Auburn Hills, Mich.

Year Opened	1988
Capacity	21,454
Architect	Rossetti Associates
Web Site	www.palacenet.com
Phone	248/377-0100
Anchor Tenants	Detroit Pistons (NBA) / Detroit Shock (WNBA)
Parking/Directions	Ramp Entrance: This is the most under-utilized entrance into the Palace. If you see the word “OPEN” flashing on the sign, then take the onramp to the ramp entrance. This is a quick and easy way to bypass the heavy traffic at the main entrance and get into the lot fast. You can easily get to the VIP lots, Cingular Club lot, General and Press parking from the ramp entrance. North Drive: The North Drive is located right next to the large electronic marquee sign on M-24. Go around the South Drive to North Drive to avoid the heaviest traffic. You can easily reach the general parking areas and special lots from North Drive. Harmon Drive: Harmon Drive is located on the north end of the parking lot and is another great way to avoid the heavy traffic on M-24. Use Exit 83 and follow the green “Palace” road signs. You can reach all parking areas from Harmon Drive.

History
Prior to the opening of the Palace, the NBA’s Detroit Pistons never really had a suitable venue to call home. From 1957 to 1978 the team played in Olympia Stadium and Cobo Arena, but both were considered undersized for the NBA.

The Pistons then moved to football’s Pontiac Silverdome, which was a huge facility but caused poor sightlines for viewing basketball. In 1988 Piston’s owner Bill Davidson led a group to build the Palace for $70 million, which was entirely privately financed.

The Pistons have won three NBA Championships since relocating to the suburbs of Detroit, and the WNBA’s Shock won the title in 2003.