Upcoming games
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No upcoming games currently listed for Smoothie King Center.
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Smoothie King Center fills early.
Getting there
Smoothie King Center sits in the Central Business District of New Orleans at Loyola Avenue and Girod, directly adjacent to the Caesars Superdome and a short walk from the French Quarter and the Warehouse District. The Loyola/UPT and Union Passenger Terminal RTA streetcar stops sit immediately east of the arena, and the Loyola–UPT terminal is the eastern hub of New Orleans's intercity rail and bus connections. Driving uses I-10 (Poydras exit) into the CBD; arena-affiliated and surrounding downtown garages absorb most game-day demand. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Rideshare drop-off zones are signed off Loyola Avenue. Confirm bag and entry rules on the Pelicans' official site before going.
The neighborhood
Smoothie King Center and the Superdome share a connected campus on the CBD's southwestern edge — the Caesars Superdome looms directly north, and Champions Square (the open-air pre-game plaza between them) functions as the shared event-night gathering point. The French Quarter sits a short walk east via Poydras Street, the Warehouse District (with its arts and restaurants) is immediately south, and the Smoothie King Center's location puts the entire downtown New Orleans dining-and-bar scene within walking or short-rideshare distance. The Mississippi riverfront and Riverwalk are a short walk east. Travelers can pair a Pelicans game with the French Quarter, a meal in the Warehouse District, the World War II Museum a few blocks south, or live music on Frenchmen Street a short ride east.
Where to eat & drink nearby
The CBD and adjacent Warehouse District house the densest pre-game cluster. Cochon (Donald Link's acclaimed Cajun-pork-focused restaurant a short walk away), Herbsaint (Donald Link and Susan Spicer's CBD classic), and Mother's Restaurant (the legendary po'boy spot since 1938 on Poydras) anchor the destination pre-game options. Manning's (the Manning family's sports bar on Fulton Street) is the canonical pre-game stop. Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux on Poydras is the Louisiana-original sports bar chain's downtown location. Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter is the canonical raw-oyster pilgrimage. Cafe du Monde at the French Market for beignets is the post-game or morning-after stop. Pre-game crowds at Manning's and Walk-On's build quickly within an hour of tipoff.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive 60–90 minutes before tipoff — French Quarter and CBD traffic plus arena security screening can stack up on weekend games. The shared campus with the Superdome means Champions Square — the open-air plaza between the two venues — often hosts pre-game live music and food trucks, particularly on weekend nights. Mobile-only tickets and cash-free concessions are the modern norm; download tickets in advance. The Pelicans publish current bag policy and door-open times on their official site — these change season to season, so check before traveling. The seating bowl is intimate (~16,800 for basketball) and produces strong sightlines from all levels.
Best games to catch
Pelicans–Lakers, Pelicans–Warriors, and Pelicans–Celtics typically peak demand as the visiting-star-power dates. In-conference Southwest Division dates against the Mavericks, Rockets, Grizzlies, and Spurs anchor the divisional schedule. Pelicans–Nuggets has grown into a Western Conference matchup with playoff implications. The Pelicans' promotional calendar — Mardi Gras-themed nights, Fais Do-Do Friday, Pelicans City Edition unveils, fan giveaways — is published on the team site and varies year to year. The arena also hosts the New Orleans Bowl (college football's NCAA bowl game played at the Superdome — distinct from the arena bookings), select NCAA basketball tournament rounds in rotation, and major concert tours.
What to know
Smoothie King Center opened in October 1999 as the New Orleans Arena, was renamed Smoothie King Center in 2014 after the Metairie, Louisiana-headquartered franchise acquired naming rights. The arena was originally built to attract a major-league tenant to New Orleans — the Hornets relocated from Charlotte in 2002 and became the primary tenant. The franchise rebranded as the Pelicans in 2013. The Tulane Green Wave men's basketball team has also used the arena as a primary or auxiliary home in various periods. The building is physically connected to the Caesars Superdome via Champions Square — the only place in major American sports where an NFL stadium and an NBA arena share a contiguous outdoor plaza. Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 caused significant damage to the arena and forced the Hornets to relocate temporarily to Oklahoma City for the 2005–2007 seasons; the arena was repaired and the team returned in 2007.
Frequently asked questions
What time do doors open at Smoothie King Center?
Doors typically open about 90 minutes before tipoff for Pelicans games, sometimes earlier for premium-ticket holders or special events. Check the arena's official event page for the specific game's door time.
How do I get to Smoothie King Center without a car?
The Loyola/UPT and Union Passenger Terminal RTA streetcar stops sit immediately east of the arena. From the French Quarter or downtown hotels, the arena is within walking distance via Poydras Street.
Where can I park near Smoothie King Center?
Arena-affiliated and surrounding downtown garages absorb most game-day demand. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing, particularly when the Superdome also has an event the same day. Confirm current rates before driving in.
Is Smoothie King Center near the Superdome?
Yes — Smoothie King Center is directly adjacent to the Caesars Superdome. The two venues share a campus connected by Champions Square, the open-air plaza between them. It's the only place in major American sports where an NFL stadium and NBA arena share a contiguous outdoor plaza.
What's the bag policy at Smoothie King Center?
The arena enforces a small-bag policy with size limits; large bags and hard-sided coolers are prohibited. Specific dimensions and clear-bag rules for certain events change — check the arena's official bag policy before heading in.
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