BYU's basketball home in brief
The Marriott Center, formally the J. Willard Marriott Center, is Brigham Young University's basketball arena on campus in Provo, Utah. BYU's men's and women's teams play there, and the building also hosts the university's weekly devotionals and forums. Capacity is 17,978 after a seating update finished in October 2022, which still makes it the largest basketball arena in the Big 12. The best seats for a Cougars game are chairs in the lower bowl along the sidelines; the best value is a midcourt chair in the upper bowl rather than a bench seat behind the baskets.
The arena has never been renamed. It is named for J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott hotel company, and opened in 1971. It sits at about 4,650 feet above sea level.
Lower bowl, upper bowl and the portals
The Marriott Center is a deep bowl in two tiers, lower and upper, that wrap completely around the court. Its numbering is unusual, so it helps to learn it before you buy.
- Lower bowl: sections with low numbers. KSL reported in 2023 that the student section occupies lower-bowl sections 13–16, and BYU's ticket office places its deaf and hard-of-hearing seating in section 8, rows 3 and 4.
- Upper bowl: sections in the 100s; the same 2023 report puts the student section's upper portion in sections 121–131.
- Portals: entrances from the concourse into the bowl are lettered A through Y. Wheelchair seating sits on the concourse level just inside portals F, H, L, T and Y.
Chairs and benches
The building opened with long rows of benches. BYU replaced them in stages: north-side lower benches in 2012, the rest of the lower level by 2015, and the yellow upper-bowl seats in 2022. As of BYU's 2023 reseating, the upper bowl still sells both bench seats and preferred chairs with a midcourt view, so check which type you are buying.
Best seats for Cougars basketball
- Best overall: lower-bowl chairs between the baskets, in the sideline sections. BYU priced prime lower-bowl chairs above standard chairs in its 2023 reseating for exactly this reason.
- Courtside: the floor-level seats sold separately by BYU, closest to the benches and the action.
- Atmosphere: anywhere near the ROC, BYU's student section, which sits behind the west basket from the front row to the back of the upper bowl. Its coordinated cheers are part of the show.
- Value: upper-bowl preferred chairs at midcourt. The pitch is steep, so the view is high but direct, and chairs are more comfortable than benches for a two-hour game.
Seats to think twice about
- Upper-bowl bench seats behind the baskets: the longest view in the arena, with no seat backs.
- Seats inside the ROC's sections if you want a quiet, seated game; the section is built for noise.
- Low rows directly behind the baskets, where the stanchion and players under the hoop block the far end of the floor.
Parking, the UVX and getting in
As of the 2025–26 season, BYU reserves the lots closest to the arena for Cougar Club members, assigned by membership level and priority points. Public non-reserved parking is around LaVell Edwards Stadium and in other campus lots shown on BYU's campus map; lots near the Harris Fine Arts Center can be limited on some nights. Disability-permit parking is in the near stalls of Lot 3.
The free UVX bus rapid transit line runs from University Mall to the Marriott Center, a good way to skip campus traffic. Tailgating is allowed in lots as long as you do not take extra stalls or block lanes; propane grills are fine, charcoal and wood fires are not.
For men's basketball, gates open about 60 minutes before tip-off. The Special Events Office in the north ticket lobby handles guest services, and satellite ticket booths operate outside the northwest and northeast corners on game days.
Bag policy, re-entry and campus rules
The Marriott Center is stricter than most arenas on bags. As of 2026, bags are generally prohibited; small bags no larger than 5 by 8 by 1 inches are allowed, along with medically necessary bags and reasonably sized diaper bags. Some events allow only diaper and medical bags, so confirm with BYU's Special Events Office before you go.
- Re-entry is possible only if your ticket is exit-scanned as you leave and re-scanned when you return.
- Children age 2 and older need a ticket.
- Standing is not allowed on the concourse, ramps or portal entries during play.
- Strollers are checked at Guest Services at portal X.
- Alcohol is not sold, consistent with BYU's campus policy; the concourse is known for BYU Creamery ice cream instead.
BYU updates these rules, so check the Marriott Center venue page before the game.
Accessibility
Wheelchair seating is on the concourse level inside portals F, H, L, T and Y; ticketed events require a wheelchair-section ticket, with up to three companion seats. The arena's only elevator is on the north side and serves three levels. Assisted-listening devices are free at the sound booth between portals G and H, and loaner wheelchairs are available at Guest Services between portals A and Y. Sign interpreters for other events need 72 hours' notice.
Fifty years of the Marriott Center
Before 1971 the Cougars played in the Smith Fieldhouse. When the Marriott Center opened with 22,700 seats, it was the largest college basketball arena in the country, a title it held until Kentucky's Rupp Arena opened in 1976. It hosted NCAA West Regionals in 1972, 1977, 1979 and 1982, and set an NCAA men's volleyball attendance record of 14,156 in 1999. The largest crowd in its history, 25,875, came for a devotional with Gordon B. Hinckley in October 1995.
Renovations in 2012 brought chairs, a new sound system and new locker rooms, cutting capacity to 20,951. In 2015 BYU added new video boards and the Marriott Center Annex practice facility, and the last bench-to-chair work in 2022 settled capacity at 17,978. More detail is on the Marriott Center's Wikipedia page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the Marriott Center?
17,978 since a seating update finished in October 2022. It opened in 1971 with 22,700 seats, and Wikipedia also lists slightly different current figures.
Where does the BYU student section sit?
The ROC sits behind the west basket, from the front row to the top of the upper bowl. A 2023 KSL report placed it in lower-bowl sections 13–16 and upper-bowl sections 121–131.
What is the bag policy at the Marriott Center?
As of 2026, bags are generally prohibited; only small bags up to 5 by 8 by 1 inches, medical bags and diaper bags are allowed. Confirm with BYU before you go.
Where do you park for BYU basketball?
The closest lots are reserved for Cougar Club members. Public parking is around LaVell Edwards Stadium and other campus lots, and the free UVX bus runs from University Mall.
Is beer sold at the Marriott Center?
No. Alcohol is not sold at BYU athletic events on campus.
Are there still bench seats at the Marriott Center?
Some. The lower bowl is all chairs, but BYU's 2023 reseating still listed bench seats in the upper bowl alongside preferred midcourt chairs.