OU Credit Union O'rena
Multi-purpose arena in Auburn Hills, Michigan
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The Oakland University Credit Union O'rena, nicknamed "The Blacktop", is a 4,000-seat[1] multi-purpose arena on the campus of Oakland University in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is home to the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies men's basketball, women's basketball and volleyball teams. The court has a distinctive "blacktop" color first used in the 2015–16 season.[5]
"The Blacktop" | |
The O'rena in 2025 | |
 Interactive map of OU Credit Union O'rena | |
Former names | Athletics Center O'rena (1998–2023) |
|---|---|
| Location | Oakland University Auburn Hills, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 42.673972°N 83.213158°W |
| Owner | Oakland University |
| Operator | Oakland University |
| Capacity | 4,000[1] |
| Surface | Hardwood |
| Construction | |
| Groundbreaking | 1996[2] |
| Opened | November 16, 1998 |
Cost | $32 million[3] ($63.2 million in 2025 dollars[4]) |
| Architects | TMP Architecture, Inc.[3] |
| Tenants | |
| Oakland University Men's and Women's Basketball Volleyball | |
History
The facility opened November 17, 1998, with a 96–66 loss to Michigan State University[6] in men's basketball. The opening of the O'rena coincided with Oakland's move from Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to Division I.
On April 17, 2023, Oakland University Athletics announced that they had signed a 10-year naming rights deal with Oakland University Credit Union. The naming rights deal began on July 1.[7]
Attendance
| Largest attendance | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Attendance | |
| Jan 13, 2017 | Detroit Mercy | 4,123 | |
| Feb 26, 2016 | Detroit Mercy | 4,114 | |
| Jan 8, 2016 | Valparaiso | 4,110 | |
| Feb 15, 2015 | Detroit Mercy | 4,101 | |
| Feb 14, 2014 | Detroit Mercy | 4,065 | |
The O'rena attendance record is 4,123, set January 13, 2017, against the University of Detroit Mercy. There have been seven other crowds over 4,000: 4,114 vs. Detroit (2015–16), 4,110 vs. Valparaiso (2015–16), 4,101 vs. Detroit (2014–15), 4,065 vs. Detroit (2013–14), 4,063 vs. Georgia (2016–17), 4,055 vs. University of Missouri (2003–04) and 4,034 vs. Oral Roberts University (2009–10).[8]
Power Five conference opponents
Oakland has a 4–2 record all-time against Power Five conference schools at home.[9] They have defeated Michigan (2000–01 season), Texas A&M (2003–04), Tennessee (2011–12) and Georgia (2016–17) since the arena opened in 1998.[10]