When the ball tips off in Wednesday night’s Kings game vs. the Phoenix Suns, it will mark the beginning of the franchise’s 40th season since moving to Sacramento. From Rochester (1945-57), to Cincinnati (1957-72) to Kansas City (1972-85), the Kings, formerly known as the Royals, did a lot of moving in the earlier years of their history. But when the 2025-26 season concludes, the team will have played in Sacramento for as many years as all of those other cities combined. Forty years of Kings basketball in Sacramento is an accomplishment and a testament to the organization, the players that put on the jersey and the fanbase. For a recap of some of the most impactful moments since the franchise moved, read below. Moving to Sacramento (1985)In 1985, the Kansas City Kings became the Sacramento Kings after a group petitioned the NBA Board of Governors to relocate the team. The Kings played the first-ever professional basketball game in Sacramento in front of a sold-out Arco Arena crowd of 10, 333 on October. 25. The Kings beat the LA Clippers 108-104. New ARCO Arena opens (1988) While the name’s were the same, there was a difference between the Arco Arena the Kings played at in their Sacramento debut and the one most fans are familiar with. The original Arco Arena’s capacity of 10,333 made it one of the smallest indoor sports venues at the time. A new Arco Arena was built in 1988, with a capacity of over 17,000. The new Arco Arena, which eventually became Power Balance Pavilion and Sleep Train Arena, is where a bulk of the franchise’s most memorable moments took place since the move to Sacramento. Changing logos (1994)When you think about the Kings, the first color that comes to mind is purple, but this wasn’t always the case. The team used to don royal blue and red, which was in line with their old name, the Royals. In 1994, the Kings made the change to a Purple, grey and white logo. This remained the team’s logo until 2016 and despite a logo change the Kings have never abandoned the colors. The glory days (1998-2006) From 1998-2006, the Sacramento Kings made eight consecutive trips to the playoffs, easily the best stretch of sustained success in the franchises’ 40 year history in Sacramento. The rise of the Kings coincided with the Maloof family’s involvement and eventual purchase of the franchise.The Kings’ best run was in 2002, where they faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most infamous series in NBA history. The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’ Neal and Kobe Bryant, were on the verge of a three-peat, but the Kings stood in their way. Sacramento was up 3-2 in the 2002 Western Conference Finals before losing the final two games of the series in controversial fashion, with tales still being told to this day about imbalanced refereeing that helped turn the tide for Los Angeles. Although the Kings never made the NBA Finals, their eight year peak is fondly remembered in the city. Players like Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojaković, Jason Williams and more are still appreciated by fans. Former King Doug Christie is the the team’s coach right now, signaling a healthy relations between the organization and icons of the past. Fight for the Kings (2013-14) A little over a decade ago, it was beginning to look like the Kings may not make it to 40 years in Sacramento. With buzz that billionaire Chris Hansen was buying land for an arena development project and concerns that the Maloofs were looking to move the Kings, Seattle became a major player to be the franchises’ next home. The flames were stoked with a tweet from Daina Falk, a food blogger whose father, David, had decades of NBA connections from his days as a sports agent. “So I hear the Seattle Kings is officially a done deal! The Maloofs finally sold the ailing Sacramento team. #NBA,” The Jan. 8 tweet read.After that there was a tug of war between Seattle and Sacramento to determine where the Kings would play moving forward. KCRA 3’s ‘Game On: Fight for the Kings’ documentary covered the battle extensively, painting a picture and timeline of the events that led to the Kings eventually staying in Sacramento. This included meetings between the NBA and Sacramento politicians, a push for a new stadium which eventually became Golden 1 Center and much more. It was a close call, but in the end, the Kings stayed put, with Vivek Ranadivé buying the team.Grand opening. Grand closing (2016) The opening of the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons also spelled the end for Kings basketball at Sleep Train Arena (formerly known as Arco Arena). After 28 seasons, the Kings played their final game at Sleep Train Arena on April 9, 2016. It was a 114-112 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder that came down to the last second. (Fun Fact: The last person to ever take a shot at Sleep Train Arena was Russell Westbrook, a legend with the OKC Thunder who is now a Sacramento King) Ending a drought (2023) In 2023 the Sacramento Kings ended their playoff drought of 17 years, the longest active streak in American professional sports at the time. While the end of a drought that long would please any fanbase, the Kings were able to bring extra excitement to fans at Golden 1 Center and across the city. The 2022-23 season saw the debut of the victory beam, a purple light on top of the arena that shines bright into the night sky after Kings victories. “Light the beam” became a rallying cry after wins in a season that energized the fanbase and brought hope back to the city. It even helped the Kings win the NBA’s innovation award in 2023. De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis were named All-Stars, Mike Brown earned Coach of the Year honors and the Beam Team pushed the defending champion Golden State Warriors to the brink of elimination in a thrilling seven-game playoff series that showed just how passionate the fanbase can be when they have something to cheer for. While the team has not made the playoffs in the two seasons since, 2023 was a culture change and a step in the right direction in terms of playing winning basketball. The Kings have made the NBA Play-In Tournament each of the last two seasons and won 46 and 40 games in a highly competitive Western Conference. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

When the ball tips off in Wednesday night’s Kings game vs. the Phoenix Suns, it will mark the beginning of the franchise’s 40th season since moving to Sacramento.

From Rochester (1945-57), to Cincinnati (1957-72) to Kansas City (1972-85), the Kings, formerly known as the Royals, did a lot of moving in the earlier years of their history. But when the 2025-26 season concludes, the team will have played in Sacramento for as many years as all of those other cities combined.

Forty years of Kings basketball in Sacramento is an accomplishment and a testament to the organization, the players that put on the jersey and the fanbase. For a recap of some of the most impactful moments since the franchise moved, read below.

Moving to Sacramento (1985)

In 1985, the Kansas City Kings became the Sacramento Kings after a group petitioned the NBA Board of Governors to relocate the team.

The Kings played the first-ever professional basketball game in Sacramento in front of a sold-out Arco Arena crowd of 10, 333 on October. 25. The Kings beat the LA Clippers 108-104.

New ARCO Arena opens (1988)

While the name’s were the same, there was a difference between the Arco Arena the Kings played at in their Sacramento debut and the one most fans are familiar with.

The original Arco Arena’s capacity of 10,333 made it one of the smallest indoor sports venues at the time. A new Arco Arena was built in 1988, with a capacity of over 17,000.

The new Arco Arena, which eventually became Power Balance Pavilion and Sleep Train Arena, is where a bulk of the franchise’s most memorable moments took place since the move to Sacramento.

Changing logos (1994)

When you think about the Kings, the first color that comes to mind is purple, but this wasn’t always the case.

The team used to don royal blue and red, which was in line with their old name, the Royals.

In 1994, the Kings made the change to a Purple, grey and white logo. This remained the team’s logo until 2016 and despite a logo change the Kings have never abandoned the colors.

The glory days (1998-2006)

From 1998-2006, the Sacramento Kings made eight consecutive trips to the playoffs, easily the best stretch of sustained success in the franchises’ 40 year history in Sacramento. The rise of the Kings coincided with the Maloof family’s involvement and eventual purchase of the franchise.

The Kings’ best run was in 2002, where they faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most infamous series in NBA history.

The Lakers, led by Shaquille O’ Neal and Kobe Bryant, were on the verge of a three-peat, but the Kings stood in their way. Sacramento was up 3-2 in the 2002 Western Conference Finals before losing the final two games of the series in controversial fashion, with tales still being told to this day about imbalanced refereeing that helped turn the tide for Los Angeles.

Although the Kings never made the NBA Finals, their eight year peak is fondly remembered in the city. Players like Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, Peja Stojaković, Jason Williams and more are still appreciated by fans. Former King Doug Christie is the the team’s coach right now, signaling a healthy relations between the organization and icons of the past.

Fight for the Kings (2013-14)

A little over a decade ago, it was beginning to look like the Kings may not make it to 40 years in Sacramento.

With buzz that billionaire Chris Hansen was buying land for an arena development project and concerns that the Maloofs were looking to move the Kings, Seattle became a major player to be the franchises’ next home.

The flames were stoked with a tweet from Daina Falk, a food blogger whose father, David, had decades of NBA connections from his days as a sports agent.

“So I hear the Seattle Kings is officially a done deal! The Maloofs finally sold the ailing Sacramento team. #NBA,” The Jan. 8 tweet read.

After that there was a tug of war between Seattle and Sacramento to determine where the Kings would play moving forward. KCRA 3’s ‘Game On: Fight for the Kings’ documentary covered the battle extensively, painting a picture and timeline of the events that led to the Kings eventually staying in Sacramento.

This included meetings between the NBA and Sacramento politicians, a push for a new stadium which eventually became Golden 1 Center and much more.

It was a close call, but in the end, the Kings stayed put, with Vivek Ranadivé buying the team.

Grand opening. Grand closing (2016)

The opening of the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento’s Downtown Commons also spelled the end for Kings basketball at Sleep Train Arena (formerly known as Arco Arena).

After 28 seasons, the Kings played their final game at Sleep Train Arena on April 9, 2016. It was a 114-112 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder that came down to the last second. (Fun Fact: The last person to ever take a shot at Sleep Train Arena was Russell Westbrook, a legend with the OKC Thunder who is now a Sacramento King)

Ending a drought (2023)

In 2023 the Sacramento Kings ended their playoff drought of 17 years, the longest active streak in American professional sports at the time.

While the end of a drought that long would please any fanbase, the Kings were able to bring extra excitement to fans at Golden 1 Center and across the city. The 2022-23 season saw the debut of the victory beam, a purple light on top of the arena that shines bright into the night sky after Kings victories.

“Light the beam” became a rallying cry after wins in a season that energized the fanbase and brought hope back to the city. It even helped the Kings win the NBA’s innovation award in 2023.

De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis were named All-Stars, Mike Brown earned Coach of the Year honors and the Beam Team pushed the defending champion Golden State Warriors to the brink of elimination in a thrilling seven-game playoff series that showed just how passionate the fanbase can be when they have something to cheer for.

While the team has not made the playoffs in the two seasons since, 2023 was a culture change and a step in the right direction in terms of playing winning basketball. The Kings have made the NBA Play-In Tournament each of the last two seasons and won 46 and 40 games in a highly competitive Western Conference.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel