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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… Read more

Event-day essentials

Plan in 60 seconds

Reviewed 8.8.26

Bags & entry
Official bag & entry policy (opens in a new tab)
Seat maps (opens in a new tab)
Parking
Official parking & directions (opens in a new tab)Check the full sports-complex calendar, reserve parking, or use transit so a Superdome event does not undermine the plan.
Arrive
About 60 minutes early; allow 90 minutes when another major event is active in the sports complex
Exact location
1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113Open directions (opens in a new tab)
Getting there
RTA streetcars and buses serve the downtown district, followed by a short walk; confirm late service and any construction diversions.
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)
MerchPelicans Team Store by Dave Dixon Drive
  • The official Pelicans Team Store is inside the arena with an entrance off Dave Dixon Drive.
  • On game days it closes to the general public and opens to ticketed fans when arena doors open.
  • The arena is cashless, with cash-to-card machines near Sections 108 and 310.
Official merch details (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

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Check the full official calendar ↗
Venue details
Venue typeArena
Capacity17,805–18,500depending on venue or event configuration
Your visit checklist Save, copy or print

Get ready for Smoothie King Center

1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113

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Visit preparation checklist

Open your ticket and confirm the event date, door time, seat or standing area, and ticket delivery instructions.

Official event calendar (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Smoothie King Center’s bag dimensions or exceptions. Check the official entry policy before packing.

Official A-Z guide (opens in a new tab)

Destination: Smoothie King Center, 1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113. About 60 minutes early; allow 90 minutes when another major event is active in the sports complex. RTA streetcars and buses serve the downtown district, followed by a short walk; confirm late service and any construction diversions. Check the full sports-complex calendar, reserve parking, or use transit so a Superdome event does not undermine the plan.

Directions to this venue (opens in a new tab)Official parking / arrival information (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Smoothie King Center’s accessible seating or step-free entrance. Ask the venue about the exact seat, entrance and route before buying.

Official accessibility guide (opens in a new tab)Seat maps (opens in a new tab)

This guide does not yet establish Smoothie King Center’s payment methods or water-bottle rules. Check the official visitor information before leaving.

Official A-Z guide (opens in a new tab)

RTA streetcars and buses serve the downtown district, followed by a short walk; confirm late service and any construction diversions. Confirm return service and last departures for your event’s finish time.

Plan your route home from this venue (opens in a new tab)

Checking an item records your preparation. It does not confirm a ticket, reserve a seat or guarantee admission. Saved plans do not sync between devices.

Find your section

Seating maps & views

Match the layout to your event before choosing seats. Stage position, floor seating, standing areas, and available sections can change.

Real photos from the seats

Browse Smoothie King Center photos by section and compare the sightlines, railings, and stage views. Check the event and photo date; zoom can make the stage look closer.

View seat photos on A View From My Seat (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

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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