Team
The Pistons were established in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1941 - 42 and played in the National Basketball League through the 1947-48 season (no games played in 1944-45 because of WW II). In 1948-49, the Pistons joined the Basketball Association of America for one season and in 1949-50 became a member of the National Basketball Association. The Pistons moved from Fort Wayne to Detroit for the 1957-58 season. The NBA Board of Governors approved the move on April 17, 1957.
Facility
Starting with the 1988-89 season, the Pistons began play in The Palace of Auburn Hills. Previously, the Pistons played for 10 seasons in the Pontiac Silverdome. From the 1957-58 to the 1960-61 seasons they played their games at Olympia Stadium and the University of Detroit Fieldhouse. On March 12, 1960 the Pistons scheduled a playoff game at the Grosse Pointe High School gym when no other facility was available. From 1961-62 through 1977-78, the Pistons called Cobo Arena home. On April 27, 1984 the Pistons played Game 5 of the playoffs in Joe Louis Arena. After a collapse of the Silverdome roof, the Pistons finished the 1985-86 season at Joe Louis Arena (one game at Cobo), totaling 15 games. The Pistons have now played home games in seven different buildings since moving to Detroit.
RESTAURANT AND HOSPITALITY
The Palace Grille offers elegant dining for up to 250 patrons with a lounge area providing an intimate location for cocktails and refreshments before or after events.
The Palace Club as well as the Terrace Club both accommodate up to 300 patrons. All facilities feature extensive menus including beef, poultry, seafood and dessert specialties prepared by award-winning restaurateurs Machus Management Services.
CONCESSIONS
Points of Purchase: More than 70 service points throughout the venue.
Concession stands located throughout the concourse.
A hand-held computerized ordering system is provided for patrons courtside at Pistons games.
PRODUCTION
Moving grid system allows pre-rigging of stage lighting and sound equipment to be fastened at stage level, with electronic hoists raising the production apparatus to its proper height. It substantially reduces normal set-up and tear-down time, climbing requirements and rigging costs.
PALACEVISION
Features four 9'x 12' color video screens and is suspended in the center of the arena.
Directions to the Palace of Auburn Hills
(From Metro Airport) Exit airport heading north on Merriman Road, to I-94 East. Exit onto Southfield Freeway North. Proceed on freeway north to I-696 East. Take I-696 East to I-75 North. From I-75 North, take Exit 81 (Lapeer Road). Make right on Lapeer Road, heading north. The Palace is on the immediate left.
THE ULTIMATE SPORTS ROAD TRIP
By: Andrew Kulyk & Peter Farrell
| Palace of Auburn Hills Ranking by USRT |
| Architecture |  | 4.5 |
| Concessions | | 4.5 |
| Scoreboard | | 4.5 |
| Ushers | | 6 |
| Fan Support | | 8 |
| Location | | 2.5 |
| Banners/History | | 7 |
| Entertainment | | 7 |
| Concourses/Fan Comfort | | 5.5 |
| Bonus: Concourse Museum | | 3 |
| Bonus: Live Band | | 3 |
| Bonus: Jim Rome Tour Stop | | 1 |
| Total Score |  | 56.5 |
April 16, 2000 - The Palace of Auburn Hills was opened in 1988 to be the new home of the NBA Detroit Pistons, this after several years of playing in the cavernous Pontiac Silverdome and before that the decrepit Cobo Hall. Since that time the Palace has become home to the IHL Detroit Vipers (until they folded when the "I" went out of business), the WNBA Detroit Shock and the AFL Detroit Fury. Like its football counterpart, the Palace sits out in the middle of nowhere and far away from downtown Detroit.
There isn't truly a main entrance, however there are four sparkling entrances to the
building - one on each side. On the north side entrance is a large team store tucked in
under a grand staircase, and also a huge video wall showing out of town games from all the
sports.
The single concourse encircling the arena is brightly lit and well decorated with many
concession stands and exhibits. The centerpiece of this concourse has to be the Hall of
Fame and Museum displaying memorabilia that were from great events that were held at
the Palace. Not only could one view the artifacts from the Pistons glory days at the time the building opened, there were also super exhibits from other teams, such as the IHL Vipers' run to the
Turner Cup, and many great exhibits from plenty of superstar musicians who have performed at the Palace. Along side this were tributes to the greatest basketball players to wear the Pistons jersey.
The Bowl
The arena is split into two levels with seating for close to 21,000, with some suites between
the levels and in the midst of the lower level. The seats are of a lavender color which
gives a nice feel to the place. A jumbotron hangs over midcourt and ads are abound on the
concrete rail that separates the two levels. To perk things up a bit there is a live jazz band performing from a perch above the upper level, a unique touch in the style of Detroit's
Motown musical tradition.
Retired Numbers/Banners
The Pistons have a long and storied history dating back all the way to its origins in Fort
Wayne, Indiana. There are banners celebrating the Pistons division and conference titles
and of course two banners for their two NBA titles in 1989+1990. The Pistons also retired
the numbers of many of their best players of the past such as Thomas, Laimbeer, Dumars,
Johnson, Lanier, and Bing. In a classy move the number 2 is retired in honor of Coach
Chuck Daly, who was at the bench during the Pistons glory years. Not to be forgotten, the
IHL Vipers also have their banners celebrating their great moments including the 1994
Turner Cup championship.
Extra Points
Like the Tigers earlier that day, the Pistons went down to defeat against the Pacers. On our
way out the door we caught the final minutes of Game 3 of the Sabres/Flyers playoff series
and watched as our beloved Sabres season went into the crapper. An all around crummy
day for everyone involved!!!
Summary
This building is nice and has weathered well amidst the building boom of arenas that has
occurred in today's day and age. We would have liked to have seen more to do in the
surrounding neighborhood and/or inside the building with respect to restaurants and
shops and the like. A very enjoyable experience nonetheless!!!
