The Best Seats for New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center

Planning to watch a New Orleans Pelicans game at Smoothie King Center? Choosing the perfect seat will make a big difference to your game day experience, and our guide has the information you need.

Located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, Smoothie King Center is a multi-use indoor arena best known as the home venue of the New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA. The Pelicans are famous for their loud and passionate supporters, and watching a basketball game at SKC is a great way to soak up the city’s energy.

Where you sit can make all the difference for New Orleans Pelicans games, so choosing the right tickets for your budget is essential. You’ll need to consider your top priorities, whether you want to be close to the action, have access to luxurious club lounges, or just want to catch the game with friends in a fun social atmosphere.

Whether you’re looking for the most affordable Smoothie King Center tickets, splurging on VIP courtside seats for a first-class experience, or searching for a venue for a special event, our guide to Smoothie King Center will help you find the perfect spot.

History Of Smoothie King Center

Smoothie King Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s located next to the Caesars Superdome, where the NFL’s New Orleans Saints play. 

The NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans have been playing home games at Smoothie King Center since 2002. The arena previously hosted the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League, and it’s also a popular venue for sporting and concert events.

The arena was initially named the New Orleans Arena and was renamed in 2014. It’s known locally as SKC and has a maximum seating capacity of 16,867 for NBA basketball games.

The Pelicans moved to New Orleans in the 2002-03 season and were then known as the New Orleans Hornets. The Pelicans’ first home game at SKC took place on October 30, 2002. The home team, then known as the New Orleans Hornets, defeated the Utah Jazz 100-75.

They temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and returned to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season. The team was renamed the New Orleans Pelicans after the 2012-13 NBA season. 

Work on the arena began on November 30, 1995, and the venue opened as New Orleans Arena on October 29, 1999, with a hockey game between the New Orleans Brass and the Baton Rouge Kingfish. 

In addition to basketball and arena football games, SKC has hosted other sporting events like boxing, MMA, and wrestling events. The arena is also a popular venue for live music events such as The Millennium Tour and live performances by major artists including Justin Timberlake, Celine Dion, and Mary J. Blige.

Looking from the seating rows towards the court, the highest seat number will be on the left of the row.

Smoothie King Center: The Basics

The Smoothie King Center seating chart shows options for standard and premium seats plus luxury suites on 5 levels of the arena.

Event Level

• Premium Courtside seats in rows AA, BB, 2, and 3 of sections 101-102, 111-114, and 123-124
• Premium Courtside seats in rows AA and BB of sections 106-107 and 118-119

Lower Level

• Standard seating in sections 103-110 and 115-122
• Premium seating in sections 101-102, 111-114, and 123-124 
• Premium Loge Box seating in sections 105-108

Suite Level

• 56 luxury suites

Balcony Level (Upper Level)

• Standard seating in sections 301-332

Press Box Level

• The Warehouse luxury suite

Standard Seating at Smoothie King Center

The Smoothie King Center seating map shows standard seats available on the Lower Level and Upper Level, which is known as the Balcony Level. Standard seating lets you experience the thrill of a Pelicans game with budget-friendly seating for all basketball fans.

The prices shown below are an indication of the prices available on SeatGeek. Standard seating for a Pelicans game may also be available on secondary market websites like Ticketmaster or StubHub.

Lower Level Corner 

Lower Level sections along the sideline at SKC are taken up by premium seating. This makes Corner sections the best option for standard seats with a good view of the court, and you’ll find some affordable Pelicans seats in this area.

Even the front rows of the largest corner sections are pretty far from the court, but you can get good seat views from the sections angled down the court. Section 109 will give you a good view of the Pelicans’ bench, and section 117 has a clear view of the visiting team’s bench.

Entry tunnels are at the back of the section, so choose seats there for easy access to the concourse. 

Lower Level Corner seats could start at around $40-$50 for the front rows or $30 further back. 

Lower Level End

Baseline sections offer the cheapest tickets in the lower bowl of Smoothie King Center, but the views are less than the best.

Standard seating starts with row 1 behind 2 rows of premium Courtside seats. Baseline sections 118 and 119 have 26 numbered rows of seating behind the premium seats. Sections 106 and 107 are slightly smaller, with 23 numbered rows of seats, due to the Loge Box seating at the back of the sections. 

Entrances are located at the back of the section, making seats near the back better for quicker access to the concourse restrooms and concessions. These rows also have clearer court views from their elevated position.

All seats in Lower Level End sections will have their views partly obstructed by the basket and backboard. This affects seats directly behind the basket more than seats nearer the corners, so avoid higher seat numbers in sections 106 and 118 or lower numbered seats in sections 107 and 119. 

Seats just in the front rows of Lower Level End sections start at around $100, reflecting their proximity to the court. If you’re happy to sit further back, you could find seats starting at around $25-50 or even lower.

Balcony Level Side

Upper Level Side sections have the best views on Smoothie King Center’s upper deck, making them a popular choice for cheap Pelicans tickets. 

Sections along the sidelines have up to 20 rows of seating ,and entry tunnels are located above row 2 in the even-numbered sections. 

The front rows of Balcony Level Side sections will give you a clear view of the entire court. The best views are found around midcourt in sections 316 and 332, but these tend to have higher ticket prices. 

Shooters Bar is just outside section 314, making it a popular location for fans looking to socialize during the game.

Seats in the front rows of Upper Level sideline sections could start at around $30. Sitting further back could bring your Pelicans ticket prices down to $20 or less.

Balcony Level Corner

Upper Level Corner sections don’t have much to recommend them apart from their cheap ticket prices. The views here aren’t ideal, especially at the back of the sections, and you’ll have a pretty long walk to reach any concessions.

Corner sections on the Balcony Level have up to 20 rows, and entry tunnels are only located in even-numbered sections. 

If Balcony Level corner seats are your only option, try to get seats at the front of sections 312 or 314. You’ll be close to the section entrances with a decent selection of concessions nearby, and you’ll have a decent view of the Pelican’s bench. 

Corner section seats on the upper level at Smoothie King Center start at around $20. 

Balcony Level End 

Upper Level end sections offer the cheapest seats for a Pelicans game. These sections have up to 18 rows of seating, with entrance tunnels only available in the even-numbered sections. 

The views from this location aren’t the best, especially if your seat is directly behind the basket or at the back of the section. Choosing front-row seats towards the arena’s corners will give the best possible view.

The Balcony Bar and Party Perch in section 323 plays live music during and after the game, making this an excellent location for fans to socialize during the game.

Seats at the front of Balcony Level End sections start at around $20, and seats further back could cost $10 or even less.

Accessible Seating

Smoothie King Center offers ADA seating, including wheelchair-accessible, semi-ambulatory, and removable armrest seating, throughout the venue.

Guests with ADA tickets can enter the venue through the East VIP Entrance across from Lot 3/3A or the Elevator 1 & 2 Entrance across from the Superdome. 

A dropoff and pickup point for guests with disabilities is provided on LeRouge Street, on the arena’s East side.

The arena has 8 escalators and 5 elevators connecting the levels. 

• Elevators 1 and 2 are in the west/northwest corner of SCD. These elevators are available to guests with disabilities and suite ticket holders. 
• Elevators 3 and 4 are between the Northeast and East ground entrances. These elevators are available to all visitors. 
• The Club elevator is across from the Northeast entrance.

Smoothie King Center has 26 women’s and 24 men’s restrooms across all arena levels. All restrooms have accessible stalls.

Single-stall restrooms are also available in the following locations. 

• Ground Level: East Lobby
• 100 Level: across from Section 108
• 300 Level: across from Section 310

Restricted View Seating

The basket and backboard will partly obstruct the seat views from sections along the baseline. This obstruction will be worse in seats directly behind the basket and close to the front of the sections.

Seats further back and closer to the arena corners will have less restricted views. 

Which Are The Best Value Seats At Smoothie King Center?

Who says great seats have to come at a high price? Standard seats at Smoothie King Center offer a range of affordable options for watching a New Orleans Pelicans game.

Here’s our choice of the best value seats for a Pelicans game. From the baseline to the upper deck, every seat brings you closer to the action at a price to fit your budget.

Best Value for Cheapest Price

The cheapest Pelicans tickets can be found on the Balcony Level, and tickets in baseline sections could cost just $10 near the back of the section.

For a little more, you’ll enjoy a better view from Balcony Level Sideline sections, where you could find seats starting at around $20. 

Best Value to Get Close to the Action

Lower Level Side sections are premium seating areas, so Lower Level Corner and End sections are your only options for affordable seats near the court.

The front row of Corner sections tends to be cheaper than seats at the front of End sections, but they’re set back from the court. Seats in the first numbered row of End sections have 2 rows of Courtside seats in front of them, and tickets could start at $100.

Best Value for a Great View

The best view on the Balcony Level will be found in the front rows at center court. These seats could start at around $40, making them a great value way to watch a Pelicans game.

If your budget will stretch a little farther, you’ll get a good view from the back of Lower Level seats along the sideline. These seats could start at around $100 and also include access to 1 of Smoothie King Center’s upscale club lounges.

Best Value for a Fun Atmosphere

The upper deck at Smoothie King Center has some great opportunities for socializing at a New Orleans Pelicans game. Section 314 on the sideline is close to Shooters Bar, and tickets start at around $20-$40 depending on location.

Section 323 is the location of the Balcony Bar and Party Perch, where the arena’s DJ plays live music during and after the game. Tickets here could start at $10-20 or even lower.

Best Value for Visiting Fans

The visiting team sits in front of section 114, which is taken up by premium Courtside and Sideline Premier seating.

Seats at the front of Upper Level section 301 are directly opposite the team bench, giving you a clear view of your basketball heroes from an elevated position. Ticket prices here start at around $40 for front-row seats.

Best Premium And VIP Seats For A New Orleans Pelicans Game

VIP seating at Smoothie King Center is the ultimate way to upgrade your game day with premium perks. These are the best seats in the house, offering premium ticket holders a combination of excellent seat views and first-class amenities.

The prices below are indicative pricing for premium Pelicans tickets at SeatGeek. You may also find premium resale tickets listed on secondary market websites like StubHub or Ticketmaster. Always check the amenities included in your seat price before purchasing tickets. 

Courtside Seats

Courtside seats at Smoothie King Center are the most sought-after tickets for New Orleans Pelicans fans. These premium seats will put you so close to the action that you could have your feet on the hardwood.

Smoothie King Center has floor seats surrounding the court in the following locations:

• Rows AA, BB, 1, and 2 of sideline sections 101-102, 111-114, and 123-124
• Rows AA and BB of baseline sections 106-107 and 118-119

In addition to prime seat views within a few feet of the action, you’ll enjoy access to the luxurious Courtside Club with complimentary food and beverages, including alcoholic drinks. 

Full-season ticket holders also enjoy complimentary parking and access to their seats for postseason games. 

Although most Courtside tickets are taken up by season ticket holders, they are sometimes available on the secondary market. 

Resale ticket prices for Pelicans Courtside seats will vary depending on the event and seat location. Seats near the benches will likely be more expensive than seats on the opposite side of the court, and your tickets could start at $500-$1000 or higher.

• VIP Entrance
• Prime views of the action
• Exclusive access to the Courtside Club
• Complimentary refreshments
• Complimentary parking (full season ticket members only)
• Seat access for playoff games (full-season ticket members only)

Sideline Premier seats

Sideline Premier club seats are an excellent premium option for NBA games at Smoothie King Center. You’ll have prime views of the action from the Lower Level sideline, along with exclusive club access to the North and South Club Lounges and other premium perks. 

The lower sideline location offers excellent court views. Section 111 is behind the home team bench, while visiting fans can sit behind the visitors’ bench in section 114. 

Lower Level sideline sections at Smoothie King Center have up to 26 rows of seating, with the entry tunnel at row 19. Sitting in the rear 5 rows will give you an elevated view of the court and easier access to the concourse. 

Front-row seats at center court could start at around $300-$450, while seats nearer the back of the sections and away from midcourt could cost around $100.

• Complimentary Parking (Full season ticket holders only)
• Early entry through the East Club Entrance
• Prime Lower Level sideline views
• Access to the North and South Club Lounges
• Premium food and beverage options

Luxury Suites

Smoothie King Center has 56 luxury suites wrapped around the arena on the 200 level. These private and semi-private spaces are traditional suites designed to provide a top-notch Pelicans experience with luxurious surroundings, upscale refreshments, and first-class amenities. 

Smoothie King Center suites are available to host 4-150 guests, making them ideal for celebrating special occasions, rewarding employees, or hosting corporate guests. 

Each SKC suite has a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and comfortable seating overlooking the court. Further seating may also be available inside the suite space. Suite ticket holders enjoy access to an exclusive concourse level, and you can complete your suite rental with customizable food and beverage packages.

Suite ticket holders also receive access to the North and South Club Lounges, located on the Club Level at Smoothie King Center. 

Most suites are purchased on a full-season basis, but some suites may be available for single-game rental on secondary market sites such as StubHub. Always check the suite’s size, location, and amenities before proceeding. 

Premier Suites

Premier suites are located at the north and south sides of Smoothie King Center on the 200 Level. These luxury suites are suitable for hosting up to 28 guests for corporate events and celebrating special occasions with friends and family. 

In addition to excellent views from the Suite Level, your guests will enjoy additional premium perks, including complimentary parking, expedited entry to the venue, and upscale catering options.

• 4 VIP parking passes included
• 18 tickets included
• Option to purchase 4-10 additional tickets
• Private VIP entrance
• Expedited entry
• In-suite premium catering options 
• $200 food and beverage credit (minimum spend applies)

Club Suites

Club suites at Smoothie King Center are located along the east and west sides of the 200 Level.

They can accommodate groups of 4-22 guests with excellent court views, in-suite catering, and additional premium perks. 

• 2 VIP parking passes included
• Private VIP entrance
• 12 tickets included
• Option to purchase 4-10 additional tickets
• Premium in-suite catering options
• $200 credit on pre-ordered food and beverages

The Hub Club Super Suite

The Hub Club is a large private suite ideal for hosting large groups of up to 150 guests at corporate events or private parties. 

This club space is located on the west side of the Suite Level, offering an elevated view of the action. Seating for 137 fans is provided in large, padded chairs with armrests, cupholders, and small tables. Behind the seating area is a row of bar stools with a drinks rail, a large bar space with TV screens, and enough room for socializing. 

Guests enjoy all-inclusive refreshments, including an upscale seasonal buffet, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and specialty cocktails. There’s also a full-service cash bar. 

Individual seats in the Hub Club are sometimes listed on the secondary market, with tickets available from around $500.

• Private VIP entrance
• Up to 125 tickets included
• Option to purchase up to 25 additional tickets
• All-inclusive buffet food and beverages, including cocktails
• Full-service bar

Loge Boxes

Loge Boxes at Smoothie King Center are located above sections 105-108 on the East side of the Club Level. 

Each semi-private box offers seating for up to 4 guests in comfortable swivel chairs. Your guests will enjoy complimentary food and beverages, including 2 alcoholic drinks.

Although the view from behind the basket doesn’t offer the best views at Smoothie King Center, each Loge Box has a personal screen that lets you watch replays. 

• VIP Entrance
• 4 Tickets
• Comfortable high-back swivel chairs
• Access to the exclusive Loge Landing
• All-inclusive refreshments, including alcohol

The Warehouse

The Warehouse is a private suite located above section 302 on the Press Box Level. This space can accommodate up to 50 guests, making it ideal for celebrating special occasions or hosting corporate events.

All-inclusive food and beverage packages can be added to your suite hire.  

• Private entrance
• 35 tickets included
• Option to purchase 15 additional tickets
• Private food and beverage concessions (minimum spend applies)

Which Is The Best Premium Seating Option At Smoothie King Center?

Courtside seats are the ultimate dream for any Pelicans fan, and you’ll find floor seats surrounding the court at Smoothie King Center on all four sides. These seats will immerse you in the thrill of the game, and you’ll also enjoy a range of perks, including entry to the luxurious Courtside Club and all-inclusive refreshments.

Ticket prices for these dream seats start at around $500-1000+.

A more affordable premium option can be found in the Premier Sideline seats that fill sections 101-102, 111-114, and 123-124. These seats enjoy excellent court views from the sidelines and offer ticket holders entry to 1 of Smoothie King Center’s upscale club lounges and premium refreshment options.

These premium Pelicans tickets start at around $300-$450 at center court and could be as little as $100 further down the sideline.

The Hub Club is one of Smoothie King Center’s private suites, but tickets are often listed on secondary market websites. You can watch the game from extra-large comfortable seating, catch the action on HD TV screens, and enjoy the complimentary refreshments and full-service cash bar.

This lounge is ideal for upscale socializing, with tickets available from around $500.

Which Are The Best Seats for Families At Smoothie King Center?

Children aged 2 and under don’t require a ticket for entry to Pelicans games at Smoothie King Center. However, they will not be assigned a seat and must sit on an adult ticket holder’s lap.

A ticket will be required if you want your child to have their own seat.

This policy may vary for other Smoothie King Center events, so check the information page for your specific event before purchasing tickets. 

Family-friendly Facilities

You’ll find baby changing facilities in SKC’s 4 family restrooms:

• Lower Level section 108
• Upper Level section 310
• East Ground
• Elevator 1 & 2 Entrance

Smoothie King Center also offers a room for nursing mothers across from Suite 255 on the Suite Level. 

Parents and guardians are encouraged to enroll their accompanying children in the If Lost Program at Guest Services (section 108). Children will receive a wristband carrying the adult’s name and phone number, which can be used if they become separated. 

Where Should Visitors Sit At Smoothie King Center?

The visiting team bench at Smoothie King Center is in front of section 114. Premium seats in this section could start at around $200-$250 for Sideline Premier seats and around $500-$1000+ for Courtside seats. 

If you’d rather see your favorite players head-on, sections 123 and 124 are directly opposite the visitor’s bench.

More affordable options can be found in the Upper Level. Choose section 331 for a head-on view of the visiting team from an elevated position.

Where To Sit At Smoothie King Center For The Best Food

You’ll find a great choice of food and beverage concessions at SKC, serving game-day fare and local New Orleans specialties to delight all basketball fans.

Enjoy the Game Day Special at Backcourt Burgers (section 116) or head to Krispy Krunchy Chicken for chicken wings, tenders, and fries (sections 109, 311, and 328).

You’ll find a range of elevated nachos at NOLA Nacho (section 106), and Big Easy Favorites offers a tempting selection of specialty hot dogs, nachos, and other game-day snacks (sections 307 & 317).

Smoothie King Center bars like Shooters Bar (section 314) and the Party Porch (section 323) are ideal locations for socializing during the game.

All Smoothie King Center food and beverage concessions are cash-free, and you can make payments using credit/debit cards or mobile payment apps. 

Transportation And Parking At A New Orleans Pelicans Home Game

Smoothie King Center is located at 1501 Dave Dixon Dr., New Orleans, Louisiana 70113.

The arena can be reached via major highways:

• From the East: Take I-10 West to Exit 235 B to Caesars Superdome.
• From the West: Take 1-10 East to Exit 234 B for Poydras Street to Caesars Superdome.
• From the South: Take Business 90/Westbank Expressway to Mississippi River Bridge and exit at O’Keefe Avenue.

Parking at Smoothie King Center

There are around 7000 parking spaces in 7 parking garages and 2 surface parking lots at the Superdome/Smoothie King Center complex. 

The parking garages are designated Champions garage, #1, #1A, #2, #2A, #5, and #6 and Champions Garage. The parking lots are designated as Lot 3 and Lot 4. 

All parking garages are cashless and accept payment via credit or debit card. Parking passes for Smoothie King Center are now delivered via the Pelicans mobile app or the SeatGeek mobile app. 

There are limited numbers of accessible parking spaces on the East and West sides of Sugar Bowl Drive and on level one of Garage 1A. These are available on a first-come-first-served basis to ticket holders with a valid ADA placard and matching identification.

Arriving by Public Transportation

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) streetcar and bus have routes that call at the Smoothie King Center.

The RTA Canal Street Line calls at Poydras Street, across from the Superdome at Gate A Ground Level. 

RTA bus routes 28 and 91 both provide direct access to the Smoothie King Center. Nearby bus stops include Loyola at Girod Street, New Orleans Bus Station, and Poydras + Lasalle (City Hall). 

Visit the New Orleans RTA website for full details of routes, fares, and schedules. 

Ridesharing arrangements

The designated rideshare zone is within a 5-minute walk of the arena on Poydras Street. 

This rideshare zone is geo-fenced, and all rideshare dropoffs and pickups must be made there. After your event, you can only request a rideshare pickup when you arrive at the rideshare zone.

When To Arrive For A New Orleans Pelicans Game

Smoothie King Center has 6 entrances around the arena.

Doors for New Orleans Pelicans games open 90 minutes before tip off for premium season ticket holders, suite ticket holders, and guests with premium floor level seats. 

The Northeast Ground Entrance and Northwest Ground Entrance open 60 minutes before tip-off for all ticket holders at Pelicans games.  

This policy may vary for other Smoothie King Center events, so confirm your event’s details before traveling to the arena.

Logistics at Smoothie King Center

Contactless Entry

Pelicans games at Smoothie King Center are now fully contactless for tickets and parking passes.

You can access your tickets through the Pelicans Mobile App or using mobile internet. Home-printed tickets and screenshots of the mobile app can not be used to gain entrance to the arena.

All guests must pass through screening before entering the venue. Guests without bags can use the ‘no bag’ line for quicker entry into the arena.  

Reverse ATMs

Smoothie King Center is an entirely cashless venue. All payments at concessions, merchandise stands, and parking must be made using debit or credit cards or mobile payment apps such as Google Wallet and Apple Pay. 

You can convert $20-$500 cash to a prepaid Mastercard at section 108. These prepaid debit cards can be used throughout the arena.

Bag Policy

All bags brought into Smoothie King Center must be no bigger than 14” x 14” x 6”. An exception to this policy will be made for medically necessary items, which must pass through screening.

Prohibited bags include cinch bags, coolers, and oversized luggage, but other bags may also be prohibited.

All bags must pass through screening, including the use of X-ray machines. There are no facilities at Smoothie King Center for storing oversized or prohibited items.

No outside food or beverages can be brought into Smoothie King Center.
For a smooth experience, consider using a stadium-approved clear bag:

Tailgating

Tailgating and overnight parking are prohibited at Smoothie King Center or any of its parking facilities.

Which are The Best Seats At Smoothie King Center?

Catching a Pelicans game is a fun way to experience the energy of New Orleans, whether you’re a local Pelicans fan or visiting New Orleans on business or vacation. 

NFL fans might also want to watch the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome, which is just a short walk from the SKC.

Choosing the best seats for your budget will help you have the best Pelicans experience, and the Smoothie King Center has something to suit everyone. 

Standard seats allow you to enjoy the electric atmosphere of an NBA game at a reasonable price, while the premium seats provide the ultimate luxury experience for basketball fans. SKC’s luxury suites are also for celebrating special occasions or hosting corporate entertainment, with options for groups of 4-150 guests.

Watching the Pelicans at Smoothie King Center will surely be an exciting experience. So, all you have to do is choose your seats – ready to get your tickets now?