Discover New Orleans Sports Legacy at Smoothie King Center
The Smoothie King Center occupies a prominent spot in downtown New Orleans. It sits next to the Caesars Superdome and anchors the city’s sports and entertainment district.
Origins and identity
The arena opened in 1999 under the name New Orleans Arena. A 2014 naming-rights agreement changed its name to Smoothie King Center.
Basketball and the Pelicans
The arena has been the primary home for professional basketball in New Orleans since the franchise arrived in the late 1990s. The New Orleans Pelicans play their NBA home games there, drawing passionate local crowds.
During the 2025–26 season, the Pelicans sit in the lower half of the Western Conference. Injuries and roster changes have affected the team’s results this season.
Home-court advantage remains significant. Sportsbooks often favor the Pelicans when they host teams slightly above them in the standings.
Fans and visitors can Discover New Orleans Sports Legacy at Smoothie King Center through games, exhibits, and community programming.
Other sporting events and community programs
The venue has hosted NCAA tournament games and conference championships. Collegiate basketball events bring teams and fans from across the country.
The arena has also accommodated mixed martial arts, boxing, and professional wrestling. These events underscore the facility’s flexibility.
Community initiatives take place inside the arena as well. The Pelicans’ “Back to Basketball” event invites youth to participate in clinics and community outreach.
Entertainment, civic use, and tourism
Concert tours by internationally known artists regularly stop at the arena. The venue converts quickly between sports and large-scale entertainment setups.
The Smoothie King Center supports the local tourism economy. Visitors travel to New Orleans for concerts, games, and cultural events.
In 2019, city planners designated the arena as a processing site for the citywide evacuation plan. That role highlighted the facility’s value for large-scale civic operations.
A continuing role in city life
For more on events and history, Filmogaz.com documents the arena’s impact on New Orleans sports and culture. The Smoothie King Center remains central to the city’s sporting identity and community life.
