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IntroductionsIconic
Do It Big
Player introductions feature dramatic lighting, music, and smoke built around the team's "Do It Big" identity.
—Passport Score
1999Opened
16,867Capacity
IndoorRoof
HardwoodSurface
0Check-ins
The basics
About Smoothie King Center
New Orleans arena that hosted Hornets and Pelicans basketball.
- Type
- arena
- Sports
- Basketball
- League
- NBA
- Nicknames
- The Blender
- Location
- New Orleans, LA
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Status
- active
FormerlyNew Orleans Arena
Rated by fans
How fans rate it
—Passport Score
0 fan ratings · 0 check-ins
Atmosphere—
Attractions—
Access—
Concessions—
Neighborhood—
Facility—
Don’t miss
Landmarks, traditions & experiences
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Songs & MusicIconic
NOLA Music Culture
Brass bands, New Orleans music, and local culture are woven into the game presentation, creating a uniquely New Orleans atmosphere.
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Historic displayIconic
Anthony Davis Era
Anthony Davis era — The Brow and the Pelicans' rise in New Orleans.
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Historic displayIconic
Baron Davis Legacy
Baron Davis — Hornets icon and one of the first NOLA superstars.
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Historic displayIconic
Chris Paul Legacy
Chris Paul — CP3 and the franchise's first great era in New Orleans.
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Historic displayIconic
Cultural Heritage Nights
Cultural heritage nights celebrating the diversity of New Orleans.
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Historic displayIconic
David West Legacy
David West — Hornets All-Star and foundation of NOLA basketball.
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Historic displayIconic
Franchise Timeline
Complete franchise timeline from Hornets to Pelicans in the Big Easy.
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Historic displayIconic
Greatest Pelicans Moments
The greatest moments in Pelicans history — from CP3 to Davis to Zion.
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Historic displayIconic
Hurricane Katrina Basketball Story
Hurricane Katrina basketball story — resilience and the return of NBA basketball to NOLA.
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Historic displayIconic
Jazz Heritage Connection
Jazz heritage connection — the musical soul of Pelicans gameday.
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Historic displayIconic
Jrue Holiday Legacy
Jrue Holiday — defensive anchor and beloved Pelicans leader.
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Historic displayIconic
Modern Pelicans Era
Modern Pelicans era — Zion, new leadership, and the future of NOLA basketball.
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Historic displayIconic
NBA in New Orleans
NBA in New Orleans — basketball in one of America's most culturally rich cities.
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Historic displayIconic
New Orleans Basketball History
New Orleans basketball history — one of the NBA's most unique cities.
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Historic displayIconic
New Orleans Hornets History
New Orleans Hornets history — the franchise roots that shaped Pelicans basketball.
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Historic displayIconic
Pelicans Rebrand History
Pelicans rebrand history — from Hornets to Pelicans and a new NOLA identity.
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Historic displayIconic
Playoff History
Pelicans playoff history — deep runs and Pels Nation postseason pride.
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Historic displayIconic
Smoothie King Center History
Smoothie King Center history — from New Orleans Arena to the home of the Pels.
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Historic displayIconic
Zion Williamson Era
Zion Williamson era — the franchise's electric new chapter in the Big Easy.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Brass Bands
Brass bands bringing New Orleans jazz heritage to Smoothie King Center.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Mardi Gras Performers
Mardi Gras performers — Carnival colors and NOLA culture on the court.
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Special EventIconic
Heritage Nights
Heritage nights celebrating New Orleans culture and Pelicans history.
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Special EventIconic
Pregame Street Entertainment
Pregame street entertainment on the plaza before Pelicans basketball.
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Special EventIconic
Festival Celebrations
Festival celebrations bringing New Orleans festival culture to the arena.
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Special EventIconic
Cultural Showcases
Cultural showcases celebrating the diversity and heritage of New Orleans.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
Bourbon Street
Explore Bourbon Street after the game — the heartbeat of New Orleans nightlife.
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Historic displayIconic
Chris Paul Exhibit
Visit the Chris Paul exhibit — CP3 and the franchise's first great era in New Orleans.
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Special EventIconic
First Pelicans Game at Smoothie King Center
Your first Pelicans game at Smoothie King Center — NOLA culture and Pels Nation.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
French Quarter
Explore the French Quarter before the game — jazz, cuisine, and NOLA gameday energy.
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Special EventIconic
Heritage Night
Attend a heritage night — New Orleans culture and Pelicans history celebrated.
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Entertainment DistrictIconic
Jackson Square During Game Weekend
Visit Jackson Square during game weekend — the heart of the French Quarter.
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Special EventIconic
Jazz Heritage Celebration
Attend a jazz heritage celebration — the musical soul of Pelicans gameday.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Live Brass Band Performance
Hear a live brass band performance — New Orleans jazz heritage at Smoothie King Center.
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Special EventIconic
Louisiana Sports Culture
Experience Louisiana sports culture — Pelicans, Saints, and Gulf Coast pride.
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Special EventIconic
Mardi Gras Theme Night
Experience a Mardi Gras theme night — Carnival colors and NOLA culture on gameday.
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Special EventIconic
New Orleans Festival Culture
Experience New Orleans festival culture — Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras, and gameday energy.
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Special EventIconic
New Orleans Gameday Weekend
Enjoy a New Orleans gameday weekend — basketball, culture, and the Big Easy.
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Special EventIconic
NOLA Basketball Culture
Experience NOLA basketball culture — one of the NBA's most unique game-day atmospheres.
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Special EventIconic
One of the NBA's Most Unique Cities
Experience one of the NBA's most unique cities — where culture is every bit as important as basketball.
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Special EventIconic
Participate in a Second Line Celebration
Participate in a second line celebration — umbrellas, handkerchiefs, and NOLA parade culture.
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Historic displayIconic
Pelicans History Exhibit
Visit the Pelicans history exhibit — Hornets, Pelicans, and the soul of NOLA hoops.
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Victory CelebrationIconic
Pelicans Victory Celebration
Stay through a Pelicans victory celebration — Won't Bow Down at full voice.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Pelicans vs Grizzlies
Southwest Division rivalry when Memphis visits the Big Easy.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Pelicans vs Rockets
Gulf Coast rivalry when Houston visits New Orleans.
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Rivalry GameIconic
Pelicans vs Spurs
Texas rivalry when San Antonio visits Smoothie King Center.
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TourIconic
Smoothie King Center Tour
Behind-the-scenes Smoothie King Center tour — Hall of Fame, suites, and court.
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Special EventIconic
Zion Williamson Showcase Game
Attend a Zion Williamson showcase game — the franchise's electric new era in the Big Easy.
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Historic displayIconic
Louisiana Basketball Legacy
Louisiana basketball legacy — from the bayou to the NBA in New Orleans.
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Historic displayIconic
NOLA Sports Legacy
NOLA sports legacy — Pelicans, Saints, and the passion of the Big Easy.
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Live PerformanceIconic
Pelicans Dance Team
Pelicans dance team performances energizing the crowd during timeouts.
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Special EventIconic
Community Events
Community events celebrating New Orleans and Gulf Coast basketball culture.
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Architecture
Multi-Sport District
Part of one of America's most famous sports complexes.
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Architecture
New Orleans Sports District
The arena sits beside the Caesars Superdome.
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History
Anthony Davis
Celebrates the modern franchise star.
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History
Chris Paul
Celebrates the franchise superstar.
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History
David West
Honors the early franchise era.
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History
Hornets
Connects with franchise history.
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History
New Orleans Basketball Timeline
Showcases franchise history.
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History
Pelicans Legends
Honors franchise icons.
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Displays
Mardi Gras Displays
Mardi Gras-themed displays that turn the arena into a carnival on game nights.
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Experience
New Orleans Basketball
Combines NBA basketball with one of America's most unique cities.
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Experience
New Orleans Pelicans Stadium Tours
Behind-the-scenes arena access.
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Experience
Pelicans Store
Official merchandise destination.
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Rituals
Pierre the Pelican
Pierre the Pelican, the Pelicans' mascot and a Smoothie King Center favorite.
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Experience
Who Dat Basketball Culture
Connects with New Orleans fan traditions.
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Displays
Jazz Heritage Displays
Displays celebrating New Orleans jazz culture inside the arena.
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Displays
Louisiana Basketball Exhibit
Exhibit on Louisiana basketball from college roots through the Pelicans.
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Signature
Champions Square
Champions Square, the outdoor plaza between Smoothie King Center and the Caesars Superdome.
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Displays
NOLA Culture Wall
Wall celebrating New Orleans culture on Pelicans gamedays.
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Signature
Music Heritage Plaza
Plaza nods to New Orleans music heritage around the arena.
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Architecture
French Quarter Theme
French Quarter design cues in the Smoothie King Center experience.
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Special Event
Theme Nights
Special theme nights throughout the Pelicans season at Smoothie King Center.
Through the years
History
Home teams
- New Orleans HornetsNBA
- 1999-presentNew Orleans PelicansNBA
Getting there
Plan your visit
Game Day in the app
Live crowd-updated map with parking prices, gates, bars and restrooms, plus bag policy and tailgate planning.
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