New Orleans Pelicans
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
1501 Dave Dixon Drive (the venue also references 1500 Dave Dixon Dr. in some sources; official A-Z guide lists 1501)
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
New Orleans
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Multi-purpose indoor arena in the Central Business District, adjacent to the Caesars Superdome; locally nicknamed "The Blender." Owned by Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District (State of Louisiana), operated by ASM Global
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
Public Safety (504) 587-3900; Pelicans Group/Suite Sales (504) 525-HOOP (4667); ADA Facilitator (504) 587-3826
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
LA
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Smoothie King Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
70113
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Remote surface lots and metered street parking in the CBD (enforcement ends ~6 p.m.); walking ~10 minutes can cut costs to around $5
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
smoothiekingcenter.com/plan-your-visit/a-z-guide (event-specific rates posted on each event page)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
ADA/accessible parking available; details via the A-Z guide's Accessible (ADA) Parking link and ADA Facilitator (504) 587-3826
Source statement; not independently verified.
Hours
Tied to event times; re-entry and overnight parking prohibited
Source statement; not independently verified.
Overnight
Prohibited
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Cashless — credit or debit cards only at all garages (no cash accepted)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Available via third-party platforms (BestParking, Premium Parking, SpotHero/ParkWhiz aggregators) and event pages; complex capacity ~7,000 vehicles
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Rates typically begin around $20 (Champions Garage) and run higher for Pelicans games; remote surface lots and metered street parking can be found for as low as roughly $5 with a short walk
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
A public transit stop is on Poydras Street across from the Superdome at Gate A Ground Level; served by New Orleans RTA bus/streetcar lines (e.g., 46 Poydras)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
Tailgating is not allowed on Center property or parking facilities (unauthorized tailgating strictly prohibited)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Towing
Vehicles parked illegally or in restricted areas are subject to tagging and towing without notice
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
Poydras Street and the I-10 Superdome/CBD ramps congest heavily pre- and post-event; avoid Loyola/Girod and Champions Square choke points at egress
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
Seven public parking garages (#1, #1A, #2, #2A, #5, #6, and Champions Garage) plus two surface lots (Lot 3 and Lot 4) across the Superdome/Smoothie King Center/Champions Square complex; closest is the attached Champions Garage/Poydras Center area
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) ~13 mi; reachable via RTA Route 202 (Airport-Downtown Express) to the CBD/UPT area, plus taxi/rideshare
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
RTA "Le Pass"/GoMobile app and norta.com for real-time arrivals
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
RTA bus to the Poydras/Superdome stop, or streetcar to the Loyola/UPT corridor then short walk
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
New Orleans RTA bus routes serve Poydras Street, including the 46 Poydras; stop located on Poydras across from the Superdome at Gate A Ground Level
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
RTA standard fare $1.25 (bus/streetcar), $0.40 transfer; pay via RTA GoMobile app or onboard; airport express has a higher fare
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
RTA Canal Street/Algiers Point ferry available at the riverfront (~1 mi); not a direct arena connection
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (Amtrak; ~0.4 mi), adjacent to the arena complex
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
RTA streetcar lines run nearby in the CBD (Loyola/UPT streetcar spur near Union Passenger Terminal connects to Canal/Riverfront lines)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
The Superdome/Smoothie King Center complex is one of the most transit-accessible points in New Orleans; combine streetcar with a short CBD walk for events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
Poydras Street stop is roughly a 2-3 minute walk to arena entrances
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Notes
The arena's downtown CBD location means most fans use RTA transit, rideshare, walking, or on-site garages rather than dedicated shuttles
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Rack locations
Bike racks are available in Lot 3 on the wall closest to Champions Garage; access via pedestrian gates at the corner of Dave Dixon Dr. and Le Rouge Ln./St
Source statement; not independently verified.
Secure
Racks are within the parking complex but no dedicated secured/monitored bike facility published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share cost
Blue Bikes pay-as-you-go $1 to unlock + $0.35/minute, or $25/month plan; reduced fares for SNAP/Medicaid residents
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share provider
Blue Bikes NOLA (operated by nonprofit Blue Krewe, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share station
Blue Bikes NOLA stations are located throughout the CBD near the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Use the Lot 3 racks via the Dave Dixon Dr./Le Rouge pedestrian gates; Blue Bikes are a convenient last-mile option from the French Quarter or CBD
Source statement; not independently verified.
Valet
N/A — no bike valet published
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible (ADA) parking available in the complex garages/lots; details and arrangements via ADA Facilitator (504) 587-3826 or ada@asmneworleans.com
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Complimentary hearing assistance devices available at the Guest Services Booth on the 100 Level adjacent to Section 108 (ID required)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
ADA Facilitator (504) 587-3826, ada@asmneworleans.com (requests at least 30 business days prior)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Accessible drop-off available near ADA entrances; coordinate via ADA Facilitator
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevators
Elevators/escalators located at East Ground, NE Ground, and NW Ground levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The arena's solid design and wind-tested structure allowed it to reopen just one month after Hurricane Katrina and serve as a medical operations site
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
Disabled facilities provided at all restrooms (19 women's, 15 men's, 3 family restrooms)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Sensory
Sensory Inclusion program — sensory bags (fidget toys, weighted lap pads, noise-cancelling headphones) at Section 108, designated quiet room across from Suite 255, designated calmer entry gates, and exit/re-entry for sensory breaks
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Service animals assisting ADA patrons are permitted; all other animals prohibited. Re-entry permitted to relieve a service animal
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Accessible (ADA) seating available throughout, with an Accessible Seating Relocation Policy; wheelchairs available for checkout (first-come) at Guest Services Section 108 with government ID
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — fully cashless for all concessions, merchandise, and parking; cash-to-Visa-card conversion kiosks at Guest Services Sections 104 & 304 ($25 and $50 denominations)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
Local Louisiana craft beers (e.g., Abita) available at concession and bar locations
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The arena is nicknamed "The Blender," a nod to its Smoothie King naming-rights sponsor
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Concessions emphasize New Orleans cuisine; catering/concessions provided in-house (sources cite Sodexo Live!; legacy material references Centerplate)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Hub Club premium area; local-flavor stands throughout 100/300 levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food and beverages of any kind are not permitted; all F&B provided in-house
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
Third-party prepaid apps (BestParking, Premium Parking, SpotHero/ParkWhiz); on-site garages are card-only
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
Arthur Q. Davis and Partners; Billes-Manning Architects; Hewitt Washington and Associates (structural: Walter P Moore; GC: Manhattan/Gibbs)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
~US$114 million (approximately $220 million in 2025 dollars)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Hosted three NBA All-Star Games (2008, 2014, 2017); served as a post-Hurricane Katrina medical operations center; hosted the 2004 and 2013 NCAA Women's Final Four
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Locally known as "The Blender"; the New Orleans Hornets played their first game here vs. the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2002
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
1999 (officially opened October 1999; sources cite October 19 and October 29, 1999; ground broke November 30, 1995)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
~17,200 for NBA basketball (1999-2007)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
New Orleans Arena (1999-2014)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
Major 2013 interior renovation (suites, club levels, Loge Boxes, Party Perch, concessions, LED boards); 2014 exterior renovation and renaming to Smoothie King Center; 2002/2006 Daktronics video and ribbon displays. A major renovation plan revealed in 2026 would add ~2,155 lower-level seats and raise capacity toward ~19,963 (lease runs through June 2029)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Pete Maravich #7 (retired October 30, 2002) and Bill Russell's #6 (league-wide retirement) banners hang in the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
16,867 for Pelicans regular-season games; 18,500 for playoff/college basketball; ~17,805-17,971 for concerts (2026 renovation may raise capacity toward ~19,963 if completed)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena; non-smoking facility; tailgating N/A — indoor arena (prohibited on property). Ceiling 65 ft to beam, ~70 ft to top
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
New Orleans sits near sea level (~3-7 ft elevation); arena floor essentially at sea level
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Multi-level — 100 (lower), club/suite (200), and 300 (upper) levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
56 luxury suites plus the Hub Club; ~2,800 club seats; Loge Boxes and Party Perch added in 2013
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
Currently sole major tenant is the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA); historically shared with the New Orleans Brass (ECHL) and New Orleans VooDoo (AFL)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood basketball court (indoor; convertible for hockey, arena football, concerts)
Source statement; not independently verified.