Milwaukee Bucks to play regular season game at the MECCA next season

The Milwaukee Bucks will return to their former arena for one night only next season.

Following the unveiling of the commemorative 50th anniversary logo on Friday, it was announced on Saturday at the third annual Summer Block Party that the Milwaukee Bucks will play a single home game at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena next season.

The arena formerly played host to the Bucks from their foundation through to the end of the 1987-88 season when the franchise moved to the Bradley Center.

As a result, the arena, which is more famously known as the MECCA (Milwaukee Exposition, Convention Center and Arena), was the venue for many of the greatest moments in the franchise’s history.

The news was simultaneously announced by the team at the event in Schlitz Park, and on Twitter with the following video.

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A release announcing the news on the team’s website detailed:

"“In celebration of the team’s 50th Anniversary, the Milwaukee Bucks will “Return to the MECCA” to play a regular season game during the 2017-18 season at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, formerly known as the MECCA, where the Bucks called home from their inaugural season in 1968 until 1988.  The date and opponent for the “Return to the Mecca” will be announced at a later date.”"

Team President Peter Feigin was also quoted as saying:

"“What can be more fitting to celebrate 50 seasons of the Milwaukee Bucks than returning to the venue that holds so much of the franchise’s history? It’s going to be such a unique and special occasion for our current players to take the court at the MECCA and for our fans to experience the early era of the Bucks.”"

During the Bucks’ time at the MECCA, the court was graced by some of the best players to ever pull on the green and white of Milwaukee. The building acted as the Bucks’ homecourt during the historic 1970-71 season, when Milwaukee claimed its sole NBA championship.

The Bucks had 12 seasons where they won at least 50 games during their tenure at the old arena, compared to just a single one in the time since they relocated to the Bradley Center.

For many, the question will now focus on whether the Bucks play on a floor that resembles the iconic old MECCA court.

The floor is still spoken about to this day for its unique and colorful, pop-art design which was created by notable New York artist Robert Indiana. The floor even became the subject of an ESPN 30 for 30 short film.

While returning to the old arena for a single regular season game will make for an unusual departure by NBA standards, the Bucks have already marked themselves out as being trendsetters in that regard in recent years.

The team’s Fear the Deer court became the NBA’s first alternate court in 2015-16, as the Bucks continue to show an ability to think outside the box.

While further details of date and opponent will be determined at a later date, many will be already thinking about how to get their hands on one of the 11,000 tickets likely to be available for that game.

Next: Milwaukee Bucks: 50th anniversary logo unveiled, further announcements to come

Here’s hoping a return to the MECCA can inspire something reminiscent of the success of old for this young, up-and-coming Bucks team.