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New Orleans, LA
Localtime

Smoothie King Center

The Pelicans' arena in New Orleans' downtown sports complex, where compact basketball views and nearby transit meet shared-event traffic with the Superdome.

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 8.8.26

Bags & entry
Official bag & entry policy (opens in a new tab)
Arrive
About 60 minutes early; allow 90 minutes when another major event is active in the sports complex
Getting there
RTA streetcars and buses serve the downtown district, followed by a short walk; confirm late service and any construction diversions.
Parking - Very high difficulty (opens in a new tab)
Streetcar or bus service with a planned walk, or a prepaid garage outside the closest complex queue
NearbyDining near Smoothie King Center (opens in a new tab)Drinks near Smoothie King Center (opens in a new tab)Stay near Smoothie King Center (opens in a new tab)
Real fan takeThere isn’t really a bad seat in smoothie king center.One fan's perspective. Verify variable details with official venue guidance.
Wide centered view of Smoothie King Center's full basketball court, scoreboard, lower seating bowl, aisles, and crowd.
Photo credits
Photo: Andrea Ciambra, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped for layout.Photo source (opens in a new tab)License (opens in a new tab)
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Home teams
New Orleans Pelicans
Upcoming Events

Tickets on Ticketmaster

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Official Smoothie King Center events + Ticketmaster sourceSep 11, 12:57 PM
Source: Official Smoothie King Center events (opens in a new tab)Source: Ticketmaster (opens in a new tab)
Venue details
Venue typeArena
Capacity17,805–18,500depending on venue or event configuration
Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

Plan your visit

Arrival and logisticsBefore you goTransit, parking, timing and entry details

Need to Know

Best for
Pelicans games or concerts in a compact downtown arena with streetcar, bus, and nearby entertainment options
Watch out for
Shared demand with Superdome events, garage and rideshare queues, event-specific bag rules, and humid outdoor approaches
Good arrival window
About 60 minutes early; allow 90 minutes when another major event is active in the sports complex
Main transit note
RTA streetcars and buses serve the downtown district, followed by a short walk; confirm late service and any construction diversions.
Sources1 fan · 2 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Need to Know

Fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Parking At A Glance

Parking difficulty

Parking options (opens in a new tab)

Very high

Check the route, price, and closing time before event day.

What to do
Check the full sports-complex calendar, reserve parking, or use transit so a Superdome event does not undermine the plan.
Best option
Streetcar or bus service with a planned walk, or a prepaid garage outside the closest complex queue
Avoid
Assuming Pelicans-only traffic when the Superdome or Champions Square also has an event
Sources2 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Parking At A Glance
Seats and atmosphereChoose your experienceSightlines, supporter sections, crowd flow and event-day character

Inside the Venue At A Glance

01

Mixed

Arrival & transportation

The arena benefits from downtown transit, but the neighboring Superdome can multiply demand. A calendar check is as important as the arena's own event page.

02

Mixed

Seat & section strategy

Basketball sightlines feel compact, with upper corners remaining the value-distance tradeoff. Concert floor and side sections vary substantially by stage build.

03

Positive

Event-day character

Pelicans entertainment and New Orleans music cues give games a local rhythm within the larger downtown sports district.

Sources1 fan · 2 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Inside the Venue At A Glance

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Fit and tradeoffsWhat to expectThe practical strengths and the details that could change your choice

Why it works

  • ✓The compact bowl keeps many basketball seats connected to the court.
  • ✓Downtown transit and restaurants support a car-light event night.
  • ✓New Orleans music and food influences give games a local character.
Sources1 fan · 1 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Why it works

Official sources for this section

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Know before you book

  • ×Traffic becomes difficult when neighboring venues host simultaneous events.
  • ×Garage and rideshare exits crowd immediately after the event.
  • ×Some upper concourse amenities and queues feel dated at peak times.
Sources1 fan · 2 officialReviewed 8.8.26Sources for Know before you book

FanProof editorial synthesis; linked fan discussions are anecdotal, not a consensus.

Editorial verdict

FanProof Takeaway

Reviewed 8.8.26

Check the Superdome calendar, reserve the arrival plan, and use downtown transit or a garage outside the tightest complex queue when events overlap.

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