Koch Arena Featured in New SLAM Basketball Book

The iconic Wichita home of the Shockers earns a spot in the new publication Buckets List.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive sports illustration of a basketball court with steep arena seating, capturing the energy of a college game. — Koch Arena in Wichita, home of the Shockers, has been named one of the nation's 64 premier college basketball experiences in the new book Buckets List. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you plan to visit a college basketball arena in person this season?

Koch Arena has been selected as a premier destination in the newly released SLAM book titled Buckets List. The book highlights the facility as one of 64 college basketball experiences.

Why it matters

The feature aims to encourage basketball fans to experience the intensity of live college games in person rather than through television screens. It spotlights the specific arena design that maximizes proximity between seats and the court.

Koch Arena holds 10,506 spectators and has seen the Shockers win more than 70% of their home games over the past 50 seasons. The book Buckets List, which features the arena on pages 132-133, has an initial print run of 1,000 copies.

The players

SLAM

SLAM is a major basketball magazine and media company that covers the sport through print and digital platforms.

Wichita State

Wichita State is a university in Kansas known for its competitive NCAA Division I basketball program.

The details

Opening in 1955 and undergoing renovations in the early 2000s, the arena remains a centerpiece for local athletics. The book categorizes its 64 selected college basketball experiences into five distinct groups, placing the Wichita landmark in the Hidden Gems section.

Koch Arena opened in 1955.
Wichita State averaged over 10,000 fans between 2003 and 2020.
The last sellout at Koch Arena occurred on March 8, 2020.
The book Buckets List was released on October 15, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This feature highlights the arena at a pivotal moment as the university seeks to return to the capacity crowds that defined the venue from 2003 to 2020. The inclusion could bolster regional interest as the Shockers work to rebuild their home-court environment.

While the book highlights the venue as a premier destination, the arena has not recorded a sellout since March 8, 2020. Supporters will monitor whether this increased national visibility helps drive renewed ticket demand for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The recognition of Koch Arena as a hidden gem emphasizes the enduring legacy of 1950s-era stadium design in modern college sports. Fans planning to visit should check the updated home schedule to experience the court proximity firsthand.