Smoothie King Center is the 16,867-seat arena in downtown New Orleans that has hosted three NBA All-Star Games, hundreds of concerts, and every New Orleans Pelicans home game for more than two decades. Opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena, it remains one of the most recognizable venues in the Gulf South — and one of the most-searched, thanks to lingering confusion over its old name, its exact seating numbers, and where exactly to park for a game or show.
This guide covers everything people look for when they search ‘Smoothie King Center’: capacity for concerts and Pelicans games, the seating chart and premium sections, parking and box office basics, the current bag policy, and the arena’s naming-rights and construction history — all in one place.
- New Orleans Pelicans played here 2002–2005 and 2007–present. See every Pelicans arena →
Quick Answer
Smoothie King Center seats 16,867 for New Orleans Pelicans NBA games (expandable to roughly 18,500 for playoff games and other high-demand events) and around 17,800 for center-stage concerts. It’s located at 1501 Dave Dixon Drive in New Orleans’ Central Business District, directly beside the Caesars Superdome. The arena opened October 29, 1999, as New Orleans Arena and was renamed Smoothie King Center in February 2014 under a long-term naming-rights deal — both names refer to the exact same building.
🎤 Coming Up at Smoothie King Center
Smoothie King Center Capacity: Concerts vs. NBA Games
Capacity depends entirely on the event configuration. Center-stage ‘in the round’ concerts — the arena’s largest layout — hold roughly 17,800 seats wrapped fully around the performer. End-stage shows, with the stage set at one end of the floor, hold around 17,200. Half-stage setups, common for smaller touring acts, seat roughly 7,500 close to the stage.
For New Orleans Pelicans basketball, the standard NBA capacity is 16,867 for regular-season games, growing to around 18,500 for playoff games, NCAA tournament games, and other high-demand events when additional seating is opened. Because the building’s original name was New Orleans Arena, these same figures are what people are usually after when they search ‘new orleans arena capacity’ or ‘smoothie king arena capacity’ — it’s the same building and the same seat counts.
Seating Chart: Sections, Floor Seats & Suites
The lower bowl wraps around the arena as sections 101–124, giving strong sightlines for both Pelicans games and end-stage concerts. Sections 201–216 make up the upper, mid-tier bowl, offering a wider view at a lower price point. For fully seated concerts, floor sections A, B, C, and D sit closest to the stage, with extra floor sections added or a standing-room pit opened for larger in-the-round shows; for end-stage concerts, the first ten rows of floor sections A and B are generally considered the best seats in the building.
Premium options include dozens of privately owned luxury suites plus large party suites with leather seating, a private entrance, and in-suite catering; loge boxes on the 100 level; and semi-private VIP club booths with bottle service and club-lounge access. Suite and premium ticket holders also get entry to the Club Level concourse.
Where Is Smoothie King Center? Getting There & Parking
Smoothie King Center sits at 1501 Dave Dixon Drive in New Orleans’ Central Business District, immediately next to the Caesars Superdome and a short walk or rideshare from the French Quarter and Warehouse District hotels. The arena is served by several on-site parking garages (including Garages 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 5, 6, and the Champions Garage) and surface lots just steps from the gates.
The venue operates as a fully cashless facility — parking, concessions, and merchandise all require a card or mobile payment, with no cash accepted at any gate or lot. Because parking rates, open lots, and rideshare pickup zones can change by event, check the official Smoothie King Center website before you go for the current parking map and pricing.
Tickets & Box Office
The Smoothie King Center box office is located on the ground level of the east side of the building and is walk-up service only; it does not handle phone sales. Tickets for Pelicans games and touring concerts are sold through the team and venue’s official ticketing partners, with pricing tiers that run from upper-bowl general seating up to floor seats, loge boxes, club booths, and full suites.
Because exact ticket prices shift by opponent, artist, and demand, the most reliable source for current pricing and on-sale dates is the venue’s official Plan Your Visit guide, which also lists accessibility seating and guest services.
Bag Policy & Gameday Rules
Smoothie King Center enforces a strict bag policy: bags, purses, backpacks, and briefcases larger than 14″ wide by 14″ tall by 6″ deep are not permitted inside, and the arena does not offer storage or bag check for oversized items. Policies can tighten further for specific concerts or high-security events, so it’s worth checking the rules for your exact event date on the official site before arriving.
Combined with the cashless-only policy at every gate, concession stand, and parking lot, the practical advice for any visit is the same: bring a card, bring a small bag (or none at all), and arrive early enough to clear security given the arena’s single-bag screening process.
When Was Smoothie King Center Built? History from New Orleans Arena
The Louisiana Legislature approved the arena in 1993, and it opened on October 29, 1999, as New Orleans Arena, built at a cost of $114 million on the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District campus next to what is now the Caesars Superdome. Its first event was a New Orleans Brass minor-league hockey game that same day, followed shortly after by its first concert, a co-headlining show from ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The arena carried the New Orleans Arena name for 15 years. On February 5, 2014 — days before that year’s NBA All-Star Game, which the building hosted — Smoothie King, the smoothie chain founded in New Orleans in 1973, signed a naming-rights agreement, and the building became Smoothie King Center. Fans nicknamed it ‘The Blender’ soon after, and both ‘new orleans arena’ and ‘smoothie king arena’ still refer to this same venue today.
Home Court of the New Orleans Pelicans
Smoothie King Center is the official home arena of the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, making it the answer whenever fans search for the ‘Pelicans arena.’ The franchise played its first game in the building on October 30, 2002, as the New Orleans Hornets, before renaming itself the Pelicans in 2013. The arena has also hosted three NBA All-Star Games — 2008, 2014, and 2017 — along with Women’s Final Four tournaments and numerous NCAA tournament games.
Concert Experience at ‘The Blender’
Beyond Pelicans games, Smoothie King Center is one of the Gulf South’s busiest concert venues. Its flexible staging — half-stage, end-stage, and full center-stage — lets promoters scale a show to demand, from intimate setups to full-capacity arena tours. A multimillion-dollar renovation completed before the 2014–15 NBA season upgraded club spaces, added new LED boards, and refreshed concourse concessions, and the building’s Central Business District location keeps it a natural stop for major touring acts, with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife all within walking distance.
Packs smaller than a water bottle — a real seat for lawn shows and festival sets.
Protects little ears at concerts, fireworks and loud race days.
Instant crowd energy for night shows, festivals and tailgates.
Smoothie King Center FAQs
What is the capacity of Smoothie King Center?
16,867 for New Orleans Pelicans basketball games, expandable to roughly 18,500 for playoff games and other high-demand events. For concerts, capacity runs from about 7,500 for half-stage shows up to roughly 17,800 for full center-stage, in-the-round setups.
Is Smoothie King Center the same as New Orleans Arena?
Yes. The building opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena and was renamed Smoothie King Center in February 2014 under a naming-rights deal. It’s the same arena, same address, and same seat counts under both names.
Where is Smoothie King Center located?
1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA, in the Central Business District, directly adjacent to the Caesars Superdome and within walking distance of the French Quarter and Warehouse District.
Is there parking at Smoothie King Center?
Yes. The arena has multiple on-site parking garages and surface lots immediately adjacent to the building. All parking is cashless — card or mobile payment only. Check the official Smoothie King Center website for current rates and lot availability before your visit.
What is the bag policy at Smoothie King Center?
Bags, purses, backpacks, and briefcases must be no larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″. Larger bags are not permitted inside and cannot be checked or stored, so plan to leave oversized bags at home or in your vehicle.
What teams and events play at Smoothie King Center?
The New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) are the primary tenant. The arena has also hosted three NBA All-Star Games, Women’s Final Four tournaments, NCAA tournament games, WWE events, and hundreds of touring concerts since opening in 1999.
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