The Ryan Center

The Ryan Center

A state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility, the Thomas M. Ryan Center, located on the University of Rhode Island campus in scenic South County, opened its doors in June 2002. Home to URI Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs, the Ryan Center also features the URI football teams' locker room, along with athletic department offices, training rooms, players' lounges and a souvenir store. The venue seats 8,000 for basketball, and over 6,300 for concerts, family shows, lectures and other community events.The Ryan Center was designed and built to meet all ADA specifications to accommodate our guests with disabilities. Located in Kingston, the Center draws on an audience of over 1.4 million people within a 40-mile radius.

The Ryan Center boasts three tiers of seating in the arena to bring all 8,000 seats within 74-feet of the court, creating a frenzied atmosphere. Every seat in the Ryan Center has a chair-back, including our 1,120 club seats and features seven luxury suites that overlook both the Meade Stadium football field and the South County Health basketball court at the Ryan Center. The luxury seats are exclusive and are each fully furnished, offering VIP treatment for up to twenty people.

Rhode Island lighthouses were the inspiration for the design of the three towers, marking the North and South entrances of the Ryan Center. Standing 86 feet high and located on the University of Rhode Island campus in scenic South County, the 200,000 sq. ft. building is home of the University of Rhode Island Men’s, Women’s Basketball Programs and University of Rhode Island Football Program.

The women's basketball team won the first-ever regular season game in the Ryan Center, 53-39 over Kent State on Nov. 22, 2002, and four days later the men made their official debut in the building with a 73-71 overtime upset over the University of Southern California.

Ever since, the Ryan Center has been rocking with the men's team drawing a standing room only crowd of 8,121 against No. 3-ranked Pittsburgh in 2002. The women's team set its attendance record against LeMoyne on Dec. 21, 2023, with 6,121 fans.

The men's basketball program at URI has won close to 70 percent of its home games since the 2002-03 season. The Rams victory on Nov. 25, 2011 over Hofstra was the 100th on the Ryan Center floor. Rhode Island has won 11 or more games five times since 2005-including a program-record 15 in 2009-10.

The main concourse of the Ryan Center provides an extraordinary view of Meade Stadium and the suite level features a private venue for prime viewing of all Ryan Center Events. The beautifully outfitted Alumni Lounge is available as a function room for parties for up to 170 when events are not occupying the arena and is open to Priority Seat Holders with food and beverage service during basketball games. The Alumni Lounge is also home to the URI Hall of Fame. The luxury suites are exclusive and fully furnished, offering VIP treatment for up to twenty people.

Amenities include two brand new full-color LED video boards and a full arena ribbon wrap that offers complete full motion video capabilities. The state-of-the-art house sound system, designed with acoustic provisions, provides a full range of high power sound to all seats in the venue, including the concourse and Alumni Room making it suitable for any event. In addition, 44 LCD High Definition televisions are also installed throughout the facility to provide a live stream during events. Featured in all lobbies, concourse levels, suites, meeting rooms and artists’ dressing rooms the televisions create a constant connection between patrons and the action on the arena floor.