It is home to the New Orleans Pelicans. For other venues, teams and events nearby, see the New Orleans guide.
The Pelicans' arena next to the Superdome
The Smoothie King Center is the indoor arena in New Orleans' Central Business District, directly beside the Caesars Superdome. It has been home to the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), who arrived as the Hornets, since 2002, and it books arena concerts, WWE and UFC cards, and NCAA basketball. It seats 16,867 for a Pelicans game. The best basketball seats are the lower sideline sections 111–114 and 123–124 with 101–102; upstairs, center sections 316 and 332 are the value picks.
The building opened in 1999 as the New Orleans Arena. It became the Smoothie King Center under a naming deal announced on February 5, 2014, ahead of that year's NBA All-Star Game, and the Pelicans and Smoothie King renewed the deal in December 2023. Locals often call it "the Blender." An old New Orleans Arena seating chart still matches today's layout.
Seating layout: floor, 100 level, suites and 300 level
Section numbers come from the RateYourSeats section directory and the TickPick Pelicans seating guide, which agree.
100 level: sections 101–124
The lower bowl has 24 sections. One sideline runs from 111 to 114, with the Pelicans bench in front of 111–112 and the visitors in front of 113–114. The opposite sideline is 123–124 and 101–102. Rows 1–25 in these sideline sections are sold as Sideline Premier and Club seats. Loge boxes, labeled 105B through 108B on seating maps, were added in the 2013 renovation.
Suite level
The middle ring holds 56 suites and the Hub Club, listed as section 250 on some maps.
300 level: sections 301–332
The upper level runs from 301 to 332, with 316 and 332 at midcourt. TickPick recommends 301–302, 314–318 and 330–332 as the best upper seats for value.
Seat 1 in each section is on the side next to the lower-numbered neighbor, so seat 1 in section 111 is on the aisle beside 110.
Best seats for Pelicans games and concerts
Pelicans basketball
For the full view, sit along either sideline in 111–114 or 123–124 and 101–102, ideally in the middle rows, high enough to see over the floor seats. If you want to watch the home team's huddles, the Pelicans bench sits in front of 111–112. The end sections behind the baskets see the near end well and the far end poorly. For value, the low rows of 314–318 and 330–332 give a centered view of the whole floor, and the low rows see the whole court without much tilt.
Concerts
Capacity is 17,221 for an end-stage show and 17,805 for center stage. For end-stage concerts, the floor sections straight back from the stage, including the mixer area at the soundboard, give the best sound and straight-on view; the lower sideline sections nearest the stage give elevated views of the performers.
Seats to avoid
- Top rows of the 300-level corners: the farthest seats in the building.
- Sections beside or behind an end stage: limited views of the stage and screens.
- Low rows directly behind the baskets: the stanchion and backboard sit in your sightline.
Capacity by event
The Smoothie King Center's capacity varies by setup:
- Pelicans regular season: 16,867
- College basketball and Pelicans playoffs: 18,500
- Hockey and arena football: 16,900
- Center-stage concert: 17,805
- End-stage concert: 17,221
- Half-house concert: 7,500
The arena's own guide describes it as holding in excess of 18,000.
Parking and getting there
The arena shares its parking with the Superdome. As of 2026, the campus has seven public garages (numbers 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 5, 6 and the Champions Garage) plus surface Lots 3 and 4, about 7,000 spaces in all, though not every facility opens for every event. Garages take cards only, and overnight parking and tailgating are not allowed. Check your event page for which garages open and current rates.
- Rideshare: pickup and drop-off use a geofenced zone on Poydras Street north of the campus, about a five-minute walk along Champions Square.
- Transit: a public transit stop sits on Poydras Street across from the Superdome's Gate A.
- On foot: if you are staying at a Central Business District hotel, walking spares you the garage exit after a big game.
The arena's A–Z guide has the full parking list.
Bag policy and entry rules
As of 2026, the Smoothie King Center limits bags to 14 inches wide, 14 inches high and 6 inches deep; they do not have to be clear. Individual events can set stricter rules, so check your event page and the current policy before you go.
- Re-entry: not allowed.
- Cashless: no cash for parking, food or merchandise; cash-to-card kiosks at sections 108 and 310 convert cash to a prepaid card.
- Strollers: banned at NBA games, allowed at other events, with storage across from section 108.
- Smoking and vaping: not allowed inside or within the outdoor security perimeter.
- Accessibility: loaner wheelchairs and hearing assistance devices are at guest services across from section 108, and a KultureCity quiet room is available.
History and big events
The arena opened on October 19, 1999, at a cost of about 114 million dollars, with the ECHL's New Orleans Brass as its first tenant. The Hornets played their first game here on October 30, 2002. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the arena, which had been wind-tested in design, held up far better than the Superdome; medical operations moved in, and it reopened about a month after the storm. A 2013 renovation added loge boxes and club upgrades, and a 2014 exterior refresh repainted the building and added new entrances and lighting.
The building has hosted the 2008, 2014 and 2017 NBA All-Star Games, the 2004 and 2013 Women's Final Fours, the 2012 SEC men's tournament, UFC 318 in July 2025 and WWE Money in the Bank in 2026. The Wikipedia entry lists more.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smoothie King Center the same as the New Orleans Arena?
Yes. The arena opened in 1999 as the New Orleans Arena and was renamed the Smoothie King Center in 2014. The layout and section numbers did not change.
What is the Smoothie King Center's capacity?
It seats 16,867 for Pelicans games, 18,500 for college basketball and Pelicans playoffs, and up to 17,805 for a center-stage concert.
What is the Smoothie King Center bag policy?
As of 2026, bags may be no larger than 14 by 14 by 6 inches, and they do not need to be clear. Some events set stricter rules, so check before you go.
Where do you park for the Smoothie King Center?
In the Superdome campus garages and lots shared with the arena, about 7,000 spaces in seven garages and two surface lots. They take cards only, and not all open for every event.
Where do the Pelicans sit at the Smoothie King Center?
The Pelicans bench is in front of sections 111 and 112; the visiting bench is in front of 113 and 114.
Can I leave the Smoothie King Center and come back?
No. The arena has a no re-entry policy.