Smoothie King Center

Located in the sprawling City Center area of downtown New Orleans, the Smoothie King Center is the permanent home of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. The arena opened in 1999. The original tenants were the New Orleans Brass ice hockey team until the Pelicans came in 2002. It holds roughly 17,000 fans for each game as well as a slew of other sporting events including hockey and college basketball.

While the arena mainly serves sports events, it holds some of the top concerts and shows year-round. Ariana Grande, Paul McCartney, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. New Orleans is always known as one of the country’s best party locations and acts from all over come perform for thousands of screaming fans.

For Sporting Events: As with any ticket purchase, where to sit boils down to budget vs. want. Everyone wants to sit courtside and yell at the players, but few people get that opportunity. Let’s be more realistic.

If you’re there to impress, grab seats in sections 112 or 113. The center-court seats are high enough off the court to avoid the chaos and noise of courtside seats without losing any of the luxury and perks. These are some of the best spots in the house for enjoying the experience.

If you’re more interested in the views at a lower price tag, head to sections 101 and 124. These sections will take you all the way down to the court, but the price tag increase as you go further down the bowl.

Family outings have always been an integral part of sports, so if you’re ready to bring the family, we recommend sections 312-314. These smaller sections in the upper corner of the arena are perfect for family outings.

Sometimes, you want to go to the game, but the only focus is the price. That’s fine too! You can find inexpensive tickets when you look in the right places and search for the right times. We recommend sections 326-327. These corner, upper-level seats clock in as some of the cheapest in the arena.

For Concerts: Floor sections A and B offer the most up close and personal, but if you prefer a little distance from the action, stick with floor sections C and D. The sections are still right in front of the stage, but the distance gives fans a little break from the noise the hefty price tag.

In Smoothie King Center, the best options for a mix of price and views of the stage are sections 123-124. You get a blend of reasonable proximity to the stage, excellent sound quality, and of course, much easier access in and out of your seats.

If cost is your primary issue, push up to the upper-deck sections 307-309. You’ll still have a straight-on view of the show at the lowest cost. We recommend starting there and making your way around the bowl to find the best deals.

What To Expect When You Arrive:

Security and Bag Policy:  All attendees are subject to metal detector screening, visual inspection, and a thorough bag inspection at the entrance. Although the arena discourages fans from bringing any bags, bags over 12”x6”x12” are not allowed. For a full list of policies and what to expect, see the A-Z help page on the arena’s website.

Parking: Smoothie King Center offers several garages and lots for fans to find parking. Prices change as you get closer, so your best bet is to plan and find the best deals. If you don’t want to drive, we recommend using rideshare services to get you close to the gate.

Smoothie King Center Experience

Downtown New Orleans is hardly short on things to do, so fans can head in any direction to find a good time. The arena sits in Center-City, but it’s only steps away from other areas of the historic city. For some delicious Southern-style food, head to Willa Jean located just a mile away.

Smoothie King Center sits close to amazing food and lodging choices, so you’re taken care of before, during, and after the show. Don’t miss out on your chance to live the experience too.