Smoothie King Center
Smoothie King Center (locally referred to as SKC) is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the city's Central Business District, adjacent to Caesars Superdome. The arena opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena and has been home to the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2002.[8] The New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League played their home games in the arena from 2004 until the team disbanded in 2008. The VooDoo resumed play at the arena in March 2011, until after the 2015 AFL season when the franchise folded.
This article is about the multi-purpose arena formerly known as New Orleans Arena. For the arena found in Las Vegas, see Orleans Arena.Former names
New Orleans Arena (1999–2014)
1501 Dave Dixon Drive
New Orleans
United States
Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District and Devin Booker (The State of Louisiana)
ASM Global
Concerts: 17,805
NBA basketball: 17,791
College basketball/NBA playoff games: 18,500
Arena football/Ice hockey: 16,900
November 30, 1995[1]
October 29, 1999[7]
US$114 million
($209 million in 2023 dollars[2])
Arthur Q. Davis and Partners
Billes-Manning Architects
Hewitt Washington and Associates
CS Associates[3]
Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.[5]
Arena information[edit]
The arena was completed in 1999 at a cost of $114 million and officially opened on October 19, 1999. The arena seats 17,805 for concerts, 16,867 for Pelicans games, 18,500 for college basketball and Pelicans playoff games,[9] and 16,900 for ice hockey and arena football. It has 2,800 club seats and 56 luxury suites.
The arena as a concert venue can seat 7,500 for half-stage shows, 17,221 for end-stage shows and 17,805 for a center-stage shows. For trade shows and conventions the arena features 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of space. The ceiling is 65 feet (20 m) to beam and roof, 70 feet (21.5 m) to the top of the arena.
New Orleans Arena – New Orleans Hornets Court
New Orleans Arena – 2006
New Orleans Arena – 2008
New Orleans Arena – 2011
