Discover the Royal Experience at Smoothie King Center: Your Ultimate Arena of Entertainment!

The Smoothie King Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is popularly known as the home of the New Orleans Pelicans, an NBA team. Besides hosting thrilling basketball games, the venue also stages concerts, conventions, and other large-scale events. With a seating capacity of nearly 17,000 for basketball games and 18,000 for concerts, the Smoothie King Center offers an immersive experience with modern amenities, comfortable seating, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. It's not just a sports venue, it's a hub for entertainment in the heart of New Orleans.

Type	Indoor arena
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Opened	October 19, 1999
Owner	State of Louisiana (Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District)
Operator	SMG
Surface	Multi-surface
Construction Cost	$114 million
Capacity	Basketball: 16,867; Concerts: Up to 18,500; Ice hockey: 16,900
Suites	56
Project Manager	SMG
Main Contractors	Broadmoor, LLC
Former Names	New Orleans Arena (1999–2014)
Tenants	New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) (2002–present); New Orleans Brass (ECHL) (1999–2002); New Orleans VooDoo (AFL) (2004–2008, 2011–2015)
Public transit access	New Orleans RTA: 16
Parking facilities	Available
Website	www.smoothiekingcenter.com

Location and Accessibility

The Smoothie King Center is conveniently located in the heart of New Orleans, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city. Its proximity to key landmarks and public transportation networks ensures that your visit will be hassle-free. Read more

Seating and Comfort

The center boasts of a seating capacity of over 17,000 for concerts and around 16,500 for basketball games. Every seat guarantees an unobstructed view of the action, ensuring an immersive experience for every spectator. Read more

Entertainment Options

The Smoothie King Center is home to the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans, offering top-notch basketball action. It also hosts a variety of other events, including concerts, family shows, and other entertainment extravaganzas, providing diverse entertainment options for all age groups. Read more

Food and Beverage

The Smoothie King Center offers an array of food and beverage options. From classic American fare to local New Orleans cuisine, the center's concession stands cater to all palates. Read more

Facilities

Apart from state-of-the-art seating, the center is equipped with HD video screens and premium sound systems, enhancing the overall spectator experience. It also houses numerous restrooms, ATMs, and merchandise stores for convenience. Read more

Safety Measures

The safety and well-being of visitors is a top priority at the Smoothie King Center. The venue strictly adheres to security protocols and has well-trained staff to assist in any emergency situation. Read more

Parking

The center offers ample parking space for visitors. The parking lots are well lit and secure, ensuring peace of mind for visitors who opt to drive to the venue. Read more

Customer Service

The Smoothie King Center prides itself on delivering excellent customer service. The staff is friendly, well-trained, and always ready to assist to make your visit an enjoyable one. Read more

Environmental Responsibility

The Smoothie King Center is committed to environmental sustainability. It operates a robust recycling program and implements energy-saving measures, making it a choice you can feel good about. Read more

Overall Experience

With its strategic location, top-class facilities, wide variety of entertainment options, and commitment to customer satisfaction, the Smoothie King Center offers an unparalleled event experience. Whether you're a basketball fanatic or a concert enthusiast, this venue is sure to exceed your expectations. Read more

Facts

1. Birth of the Smoothie King Center: The Smoothie King Center is not just any sports complex. It's the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, where the city's spirit comes alive through basketball. Its construction was completed in 1999 and has since been home to the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA.
2. The Name Behind the Fame: The Smoothie King Center wasn't always known by this name. It was originally called the New Orleans Arena until 2014 when Smoothie King, a local franchise company, secured a 10-year naming rights deal. This marked the first time a professional sports venue was named for a smoothie brand!
3. Seating Capacity: The Smoothie King Center boasts a seating capacity of nearly 17,000 for basketball games, making it one of the largest indoor arenas in the world. For concerts, it can seat up to 18,500 spectators, offering an electrifying atmosphere for both performers and the audience.
4. Green Initiative: The Smoothie King Center is not only about sports and entertainment, it's about sustainability too. The arena is part of a broader environmental initiative and has achieved LEED Silver certification, making it one of the greenest arenas in the country.
5. State-of-the-art Technology: The arena features a state-of-the-art video system, including a high-definition center-hung video scoreboard. This technological advancement ensures fans never miss a moment of the action, no matter where they're seated.
6. Fan Comfort: The Smoothie King Center prioritizes fan comfort. It underwent a $50 million renovation in 2013 to enhance the fan experience, including new clubhouses, expanded concourses, and improved concessions.
7. Memorable Events: The Smoothie King Center has hosted several high-profile events like the 2008 and 2014 NBA All-Star Games, the 2002 NCAA Women's Final Four, and concerts by big names like Elton John, Usher, and the Rolling Stones.
8. Community Involvement: The Smoothie King Center is not just a venue; it's a community partner. The arena often hosts local events and fundraisers, emphasizing its commitment to the New Orleans community.
9. Economic Impact: The Smoothie King Center significantly contributes to the local economy. It has generated thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact, playing a crucial role in the economic development of New Orleans.
10. Future Plans: The future looks bright for the Smoothie King Center with plans for further renovations and upgrades. The goal is to make the arena the best it can be, providing fans with an unforgettable experience every time they walk through its doors.

Vocabulary

Smoothie King – A privately held New Orleans-area-based smoothie franchise company.

Arena – A large enclosed platform, often used for sporting events and concerts.

New Orleans – The largest city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, where the Smoothie King Center is located.

Basketball – A sport that is often played at the Smoothie King Center, which is the home arena for the New Orleans Pelicans.

New Orleans Pelicans – The professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

NBA – The National Basketball Association, the professional basketball league in North America.

Concerts – Musical performances given in public, typically by several performers or of several separate compositions, often held at the Smoothie King Center.

Seating capacity – The number of people who can be accommodated in a specific space; in relation to Smoothie King Center, it can seat up to 17,791 people for basketball games.

Box Office – The place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event.

VIP Suites – Luxury seating areas offering premium services and amenities.

Event Sponsorship – When a company supports an event, activity, person, or organization financially or through the provision of products or services.

Box Seats – A seating area in a stadium, theater, or performing arts venue.

Stadium – A large venue for sports, concerts, or other events.

Arena Food – Food and beverages available for purchase at a sporting or entertainment event.

Ticket Sales – The process of selling admission to events.

Parking – Spaces where vehicles can be parked, often a consideration for those attending events at the Smoothie King Center.

Public Transport Access – Availability of buses, trams, trains, or other forms of public transportation near a venue.

Accessibility – Facilities for people with disabilities at a venue.

Event Security – Measures taken to ensure the safety of people attending an event.

Event Schedule – The list of events to be held at a certain venue.

Sports Venue – A location where sports are played.

Multi-purpose venue – A venue designed for hosting sports, concerts, and other events.

Indoor Arena – A covered or indoor space for sports, concerts, or other large events.

Venue Rental – The process of hiring out a venue for a private event.

Stadium Tour – A guided tour of a sports venue or stadium.

Merchandise – Items bearing the logo or branding of a sports team or event, sold to fans.

Locker Rooms – Rooms where athletes change and store their equipment during sports games.

Jumbotron – A large-screen television using technology developed by Sony, typically used in sports stadiums and concert venues to show close-up shots of the action.

Sound System – Audio equipment used to amplify sound at an event.

Lighting – The arrangement or type of light in a place, especially as used in professional photography or theater; in this context, it refers to the lighting setup at the Smoothie King Center.