Thunder 2026-27 game nights at Paycom Center: new food, graffiti merch and home-opener guide

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oct. 15, 2026 — The Thunder play their first regular-season game at Paycom Center on Thursday, Oct. 22 against Denver at 8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN, and fans walking in that night will find a new menu, new merchandise and the return of the arena’s hands-on fan activities.

The team previewed the changes for Oklahoma City media on Wednesday, Oct. 14, a week before the home opener. Oklahoma City first opens the season on the road on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at San Antonio (8:30 p.m. CT, NBC), and closes the preseason tonight at Houston at 7:30 p.m. CT on NBA TV.

Season countdown hits 6️⃣😁 pic.twitter.com/Teiu4FGT4U

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) October 14, 2026

What is new on the Paycom Center menu

The new game-night food list includes smoked bologna paninis, birria nachos, pork belly burnt ends and an edible cookie dough bar. Paycom Center regional chef Kenneth Hardiman told KOCO the cookie dough bar runs three flavors: classic chocolate chip, a “Rumble dough” named for the team mascot, and a house creation called Red Dirt Rally.

Empire Slice House is adding a game-day pizza sold only inside the arena: roasted chicken with red bell pepper and onions, finished with a house barbecue sriracha drizzle. Steven Schuster, director of operations at Empire Slice House, described the pie during the preview.

Graffiti merch and returning fan activities

The team store is dropping new pieces modeled on the players’ game-day looks. The Thunder’s Gayle Maxwell said the line includes graffiti designs matching what players will wear on the court.

The concourse activities fans asked about are back for 2026-27:

• Temporary tattoos
• Face painting
• Sign-making stations
• Gear customization for hats, shirts and jerseys

Maxwell also told fans to watch for “a few new surprises” that the team has not announced yet.

Ticket chances: ULTRA Courtside Sweepstakes

A season-long sweepstakes is already open. Under the team’s official rules, the ULTRA Courtside Sweepstakes runs from Oct. 1, 2026 through 11:59 p.m. CT on April 12, 2027. Each winner receives two tickets to one Thunder home game in the Michelob ULTRA Seats Experience, two pub passes and a Thunder and Michelob ULTRA prize pack, with an approximate retail value of $600 per prize. The team picks which home game each winner attends, and tickets are delivered by mobile ticketing.

The opening-night ticket drawing at Thunder Fan Fest, held Sunday, Oct. 11 at OG&E Together Square a few blocks from the arena, is already over. Fans who RSVPed before arriving were entered for seats to the Oct. 22 game.

Thunder home dates through November

All games below are at Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno Ave. in Oklahoma City. Tip times are local Central time from the team’s official 2026-27 schedule, checked Oct. 15. Games not on national TV air locally on Thunder+ and KSBI.

Date	Opponent	Tip (local)	TV	Note
Thu, Oct. 22, 2026	vs. Denver	8:30 p.m.	ESPN	Home opener
Sun, Oct. 25, 2026	vs. LA Clippers	6:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Mon, Oct. 26, 2026	vs. Phoenix	7:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Wed, Nov. 4, 2026	vs. Cleveland	7:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Sat, Nov. 7, 2026	vs. Washington	7:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Wed, Nov. 18, 2026	vs. Atlanta	7:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Fri, Nov. 20, 2026	vs. New Orleans	7:00 p.m.	Thunder+, KSBI
Wed, Nov. 25, 2026	vs. Minnesota	6:30 p.m.	ESPN

What to know before opening night

• Opening night is a Thursday national ESPN game with an 8:30 p.m. CT tip, later than the usual 7 p.m. weeknight start.
• The first homestand is short: three games in five days (Oct. 22, 25 and 26) before a road trip to Dallas, Houston and Cleveland.
• Single-game tickets for the opener are on sale now through Paycom Center and the team’s official ticketing partner.
• The team has not yet released a game-by-game giveaway or theme-night calendar for 2026-27; WhyNBA will add those dates when they are announced.