Smoothie King Center has become a nice little getaway for me over the last few years. I have had the opportunity to see a lot of stars in today’s NBA within this arena.
One of the best kept secrets in “The Big Easy” is a place where you will feel right at home.
Here are my thoughts on Smoothie King Center.
Pros
The biggest reason for coming to see the Pelicans is because of the city. The city is known for entertainment and you will get a chance to be a part of it outside of the arena. There is a lot of fan activities outside of the arena where you can get involved and potentially get some free gifts.
There is not a bad seat in the arena. With the seating arrangements it gives you a feel as if you are on the court regardless of seat. The setup is definitely fan friendly and is a true bang for your buck.
The concessions at the arena are some of the most reasonable I have seen. You can definitely eat a lot for less as they have concession stands that meet all financial situations. You can also get the real taste of New Orleans as the menu caters to the local flavor of the city.
The game tickets are also rather reasonable compared to other venues I have attended. I have secured tickets through govx.com, seatgeek.com and pelicans.com with varying prices but all relatively cheap.
Cons
The fan support is wavering which is hand and hand with the team results. On the games that I have attended, the crowd has favored the visiting team rather than the home team. This is something that I have not experienced at any other basketball arena so far.
The quarter break, halftime and after game experience could use some needed improvements. There isn’t much going on during this time that gets the crowd ready for the next quarter. With the music history of New Orleans they have room to grow in this area by just inviting some local artists to perform at halftime or post game.
Overall Game Day Experience
I would give Smoothie King Center an 8 out of 10. Very nice arena views with some amazing food options. Low ticket prices with cheap parking all around. Fan support is lacking but once the team turns the tide this will change. If you’re thinking about visiting the Crescent City add a stop by Smoothie King Center to your agenda.
