This article is based on an official press release from Sharks Sports & Entertainment.

Joby Aviation Partners with San Jose Sharks to Explore Downtown Vertiport

Sharks Sports & Entertainment (SSE), the parent company of the San Jose Sharks and the SAP Center, announced on February 6, 2026, a strategic partnerships with Joby Aviation. The agreement designates the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer as a “Proud Partner” of the NHL franchise and the naming rights partner for the arena’s new “Reimagination Studio.”

Beyond traditional branding, the collaboration focuses on infrastructure development. According to the announcement, SSE and Joby Aviation will work exclusively to conduct a feasibility study for a potential vertiport, a takeoff and landing site for air taxis, located in the immediate vicinity of the SAP Center in San Jose. This initiative aligns with Joby’s targeted commercial launch timeline of 2026 and SSE’s broader efforts to modernize the fan experience.

The “Reimagination Studio” and Arena Renovations

The partnership is anchored in the ongoing transformation of the SAP Center, a project dubbed “The Teal Reimagination.” As part of the agreement, Joby Aviation secures naming rights to the Reimagination Studio, a physical showroom and digital experience center designed to preview the arena’s future.

The studio serves as the public face of a massive redevelopment effort. In late 2025, the City of San Jose and SSE agreed to a $425 million renovation plan intended to extend the Sharks’ lease through 2051. Visitors to the Joby-branded studio can view renderings and interactive displays showcasing upcoming amenities, such as new premium lounges and modernized concourses.

Jonathan Becher, President of Sharks Sports & Entertainment, emphasized that the renovation extends beyond the physical structure of the arena to the logistics of attending an event.

“With a project like the SAP Center reimagination, the tendency would be to think only of experiences within the arena. But we’re looking at every facet of the guest experience including how they get to and from the venue. Partnering with a world-class transportation company like Joby enables us to deliver on that reimagination promise.”

Jonathan Becher, President, Sharks Sports & Entertainment

Feasibility of Air Taxis in Downtown San Jose

The core operational component of the deal is the exploration of vertiport sites on SSE-controlled property. Joby Aviation aims to utilize electric air taxis to bypass Bay Area traffic, potentially reducing travel times significantly for fans attending games and concerts.

Stephan Baral, Head of Corporate Development at Joby Aviation, highlighted the time-saving potential of the service in the official release:

“Integrating electric air taxis into the development of the entertainment district near SAP Center could turn a 60-minute journey to a Sharks game, concert, or family show into a ten-minute trip.”

Stephan Baral, Head of Corporate Development, Joby Aviation

The proposed vertiport would likely utilize surface parking lots surrounding the arena. Joby has previously established partnerships with infrastructure companies like Metropolis Technologies to retrofit parking structures for flight operations, making the “ABC” lots near the SAP Center potential candidates for this development.

AirPro News Analysis: Regulatory and Operational Context

While the partnership signals a strong commitment to advanced air mobility, we note that significant regulatory hurdles remain before flights can begin. The SAP Center is located directly in the flight path of San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC). Consequently, any vertiport operations in this area would require strictly coordinated flight corridors and explicit approval from the FAA to operate within such controlled airspace.

Furthermore, downtown San Jose is subject to strict building height limits due to its proximity to the airport. This geographic constraint suggests that a ground-level or low-rise parking deck vertiport is more feasible at this location than the high-rise rooftop vertiports planned for cities like New York or Los Angeles. The “exploration” phase mentioned in the press release will likely focus heavily on navigating these specific airspace complexities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Reimagination Studio?

It is a showroom and digital experience center located at the SAP Center that previews the future renovations of the arena. Joby Aviation is the official naming partner of this space.

When will air taxi flights to the SAP Center begin?

Joby Aviation targets a commercial launch in 2026. However, the specific vertiport at the SAP Center is currently in the feasibility study phase, and no specific start date for flights to the arena has been confirmed.

What is the goal of the partnership?

The partnership aims to integrate aerial ridesharing into the fan experience, offering a faster alternative to ground traffic, while also branding Joby as a key partner in the modernization of the San Jose Sharks’ home arena.

Sources

• Sharks Sports & Entertainment