My visit to AT&T Center was for one reason and one reason only. See Tim Duncan before he decides to retire.
I didn’t know when or where I would catch the legend play but I knew it had to happen before the season ended. I knew that I would be in Texas for SXSW so I checked to see if the Spurs would be at home during that time. I ran across some tickets for the the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Portland Trail Blazers and it was a go.
Here are my thoughts on AT&T Center.
Pros
The basketball atmosphere hits you before you even walk into AT&T Center. The fans come out in bunches to cheer on their Spurs and get you in game mode in the parking lot.
Once you enter the arena, you can see the history of the organization and the Larry O’Brien trophies on display. There are also team photos available in the arena for the championship teams as well. The fan support once in the building is breathtaking as the fans cheer from start to finish.
There are a lot of long time Spurs fans that come to the games. During the game I attended, they recognized four fans that have been season ticket holders for over 40 years. The seating structure in AT&T Center is in an octagon shape so it makes every seat a great seat.
The concession options present food that caters to the local fans as well as the travelers. The pricing is around the average level of pricing that I have seen at stadiums and arenas. They offer some bottomless drink deals for soda in souvenir cups.
The flow of traffic to and from the arena is easy to navigate. AT&T Center avoids the downtown hustle and bustle so this aids in traffic flow. Parking is available all around the arena and the pricing is $15 or less depending on where you park. With I-10 and I-35 nearby the arena it presents an easy exit to get back on the interstate.
Cons
There are hard to find any negatives for AT&T Center or the San Antonio Spurs. The only negative would be that there isn’t any bars are restaurants around the arena. This is not technically a negative as it helps traffic flow and deescalate traffic congestion.
Overall Game Day Experience
I would give AT&T Center a 9.5 out of 10. The fans show up and cheer from before the game to well after it ends. They provide a home feel so you feel welcome in the arena. The concession and parking prices are not expensive. The basketball atmosphere is amazing and you get to see multiple Larry O’Brien trophies.
If visiting NBA arenas is your thing, then AT&T Center is a must see venue. You will not be disappointed.
