New Orleans Pelicans
Smoothie King Center
New Orleans, LA16,867 seats
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Arena policies change frequently. Always verify bag policy, parking, and ticket perks on the official team website before attending.
Last updated: April 2026
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Ticket & Access Perks
Lounge access, premium entrances, and which tickets unlock extras.
- Club seats (100-level, sections 101–115) include access to the Club Level lounge with food and beverage service - the primary premium tier for non-suite holders at Smoothie King Center.
- The 200-level Club sections (midcourt) include a dedicated lounge space with full bar service - a modest but meaningful upgrade from general concessions for a price premium that remains below NBA average.
- Full season ticket holders (41-game) get free pre-game drinks and access to special events at the team's training facility - the most tangible perk differentiating full STH status from partial plans.
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Entry & Logistics
Fastest gates, bag policy, and when to arrive.
- The main entrance is on Loyola Avenue (east side). Gate 2 (Loyola Ave, northeast) is fastest for most sections; Gate 1 (south, Poydras Street) is recommended for sections 101–108 and avoids Champions Square congestion.
- Bag policy: clear bags maximum 12"×6"×12"; small non-clear clutch purses up to 4.5"×6.5" permitted. Smoothie King Center and Caesars Superdome share a campus - confirm which building you're entering before joining a security line.
- Arrive 45 minutes before tip; Champions Square outdoor plaza between the two venues fills 60–90 minutes before tip on big game nights and creates a street party atmosphere that rivals any pre-game scene in the league.
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Parking & Transit
Where to park, transit options, and postgame exit tips.
- Champions Square garage (directly between the arena and Caesars Superdome) is the closest option at $20–$25; the Loyola Ave garages further north are $15 and a 5-minute walk.
- New Orleans' transit infrastructure is limited for the arena - the Loyola Avenue streetcar runs on the west side of the building and connects to the Union Passenger Terminal, but most fans drive or use rideshare.
- Rideshare surge pricing in the CBD post-game is significant - waiting 20–25 minutes inside the arena before requesting reduces surge noticeably. The French Quarter (15-min walk or 5-min rideshare) provides better driver density.
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Pregame Spots
Bars and restaurants near Smoothie King Center worth hitting before tip-off.
