Smoothie King Center

Smoothie King Center

Former names	New Orleans Arena (1999–2014)
Address	1501 Dave Dixon Drive
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates	29°56′56″N 90°4′55″W / 29.94889°N 90.08194°WCoordinates: 29°56′56″N 90°4′55″W / 29.94889°N 90.08194°W
Owner	The State of Louisiana
Operator	SMG
Capacity	Concerts: 17,805 NBA Basketball/Hockey: 16,867[1] College basketball/NBA playoff games: 18,500 Arena Football: 16,900
Construction
Broke ground	November 30, 1995[2]
Opened	October 29, 1999[3]
Construction cost	US$114 million ($162 million in 2016 dollars[4])
Architect	Arthur Q. Davis and Partners Billes-Manning Architects Hewitt Washington and Associates
Project manager	CS Associates[5]
Structural engineer	Walter P Moore[6]
Services engineer	Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.[7]
General contractor	Manhattan[8]/Gibbs[6]
Tenants
New Orleans Brass (ECHL) (1999–2002) New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) (2002–present) New Orleans VooDoo (AFL) (2004–2008, 2011–2015)

The Smoothie King Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is located in the city's Central Business District, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The arena opened in 1999 as New Orleans Arena and has been home to the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2002.^[9] The New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League played their home games in the arena from 2004 until the team disbanded in 2008. The VooDoo resumed play at the arena in March 2011, until after the 2015 AFL season when the franchise folded.

Arena information

The arena was completed in 1999 at a cost of $114 million and officially opened on October 19, 1999. The arena seats 17,805 for concerts, 16,867 for Pelicans games and hockey, 18,500 for basketball (Specifically College Basketball and New Orleans Pelicans Playoff Games).,^[10] and 16,900 for arena football. It has 2,800 club seats and 56 luxury suites.

The arena as a concert venue can seat 7,500 for half-stage shows, 17,221 for end-stage shows and 17,805 for a center-stage shows. For trade shows and conventions the arena features 17,000 square feet (1,600 m²) of space. The ceiling is 65 feet (20 m) to beam and roof, 70 feet (21.5 m) to the top of the arena.

History

Logo as New Orleans Arena, 1999–2014

In 1999, the arena's first tenant, the New Orleans Brass ice hockey team of the ECHL played their first home game in the arena. The team played in the arena their last three seasons. When the New Orleans Hornets arrived in 2002, they persuaded the state government to demand that the Brass foot the cost of converting the arena between basketball and hockey configurations. That expense was more than the Brass were willing to pay, and they were forced to fold due to the lack of another suitable arena.

The Hornets played their first game at the Smoothie King Center versus the Utah Jazz on October 30, 2002.

The New Orleans VooDoo, of the Arena Football League (AFL), began playing their home games in the arena starting in February 2004.

Following Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, medical operations that had previously been housed in the Superdome were moved to the Arena. Medical personnel had been working in an area of the Superdome with poor lighting, leaking ceilings and soggy carpet. The Arena's design was tested in 1996 by CPP, a wind engineering consulting firm, so it fared far better than the Superdome during the storm and was in better condition to house sensitive medical operations. Thus, unlike the Superdome, the Arena reopened to activities only one month after the storm. On March 8, 2006 the Hornets played their first home game at the arena since Hurricane Katrina and the start of the 2005–06 season. A sellout crowd of 17,744, watched the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Hornets, 113–107.

In 2006, the arena installed an LED centerhung video and scoring system from Daktronics out of Brookings, South Dakota. The centerhung installation is made up of two ring displays and eight video displays, as well as scoreboards. This installation is fully integrated with the more than 875 feet of ribbon display technology that was installed in the arena in 2002.^[11] In the summer of 2008, new Daktronics "see through" shot clocks were installed, replacing the existing box units.

The New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League resumed play at the arena in March 2011.

In 2013, the arena underwent a significant upgrade. The 2013 renovations were primarily focused for the gameday experience inside the arena. These upgrades include updates to the Suites and Club Levels, expanding the Club Levels, Creating new Loge Boxes, and a new Party Perch. Other upgrades include upgraded concession stands, upgraded LED boards, and other in-house amenities for the teams and performers that use the arena.^[12]

On February 5, 2014, it was announced that a 10-year agreement was reached to rename New Orleans Arena the Smoothie King Center prior to the 2014 NBA All-Star Game.^[13][14][15]

In September and October 2014, exterior renovations were made to the Smoothie King Center, including new entrances, painting the center from bluish green to light gray, and a new outer LED lighting system similar to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's own. However, some original plans, such as to add an overhang to the building, were cancelled.^[16]

Seating capacity

The seating capacity for NBA basketball games has gone as followed:

• 17,200 (1999–2007)^[17]
• 17,188 (2007–2013)^[18]
• 17,003 (2013–2014)^[19]
• 16,867 (2014–present)^[1]

Events

Sports

Major events

Smoothie King Center hosted the 2008 NBA All-Star Game,^[20][21] the 2014 NBA All-Star Game,^[22] and will also host the 2017 NBA All-Star Game, after the NBA pulled the game from Charlotte's Spectrum Center due to North Carolina's "bathroom bill".

In 2011, the arena hosted the Southeast Regional of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. The arena also hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in 2007 and 2010.

The 2012 Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament was held at the arena.

The arena hosted the 2004 Women's Final Four and 2013 Women's Final Four. It has also hosted the 2008 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament South Regionals.

The 2002 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Final Four was held at the New Orleans Arena in December 2002.

The arena hosted ArenaBowl XXI in 2007, ArenaBowl XXII in 2008 and ArenaBowl XXV in 2012.

Other events

• 2000 – The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Bud Light Cup tour event
• September 9, 2000 – The arena hosted the light heavyweight title fight between Roy Jones, Jr. and Eric Harding. Jones won by TKO in the 10th round.
• 2001 – Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Bud Light Cup tour event
• January 21, 2001 – The arena hosted the WWF Royal Rumble Pay Per View.
• 2002 – Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Bud Light Cup tour event was held in the arena.
• 2003 – Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series tour event
• August 2003 – The Bassmaster Classic XXXIII weigh-in was held in the arena.^[23]
• March 2007 – The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Built Ford Tough Series tour event was held in the arena.
• April 2010 – The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event was held in the arena for a Built Ford Tough Series event.
• February 17, 2013 – The arena hosted the WWE Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View.
• April 5, 2014 – The arena hosted the WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony.
• April 7, 2014 – WWE Monday Night Raw
• January 12, 2015 – WWE Monday Night Raw
• June 6, 2015 – UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson
• June 8, 2015 – WWE Monday Night Raw

Concerts

List of Concerts 

• ZZ Top – November 5, 1999, with Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies
• Shania Twain – November 16, 1999, with Shane Minor and June 29, 2004, with Emerson Drive
• The Backstreet Boys – November 20, 1999, with Mandy Moore and E.Y.C.
• Billy Joel – December 2, 1999 and March 6, 2007
• Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band – December 4, 1999
• Rage Against the Machine – December 11, 1999
• KoЯn – February 21, 2000, with Staind and Mindless Self Indulgence
• Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – March 19, 2000
• The Lox – March 24, 2000, with DMX, Juvenile, Lil Wayne and Eve
• Britney Spears – April 4, 2000, with LFO and Bosson, December 16, 2001, with LFO, March 3, 2009, with The Pussycat Dolls and July 15, 2011, with Nicki Minaj, NERVO and Jessie & The Toy Boys
• KISS – April 16, 2000, with Ted Nugent and Skid Row and August 7, 2004, with Poison and Drowning Pool
• Tina Turner – April 19, with Lionel Richie and Janice Robinson and October 25, with Joe Cocker, 2000
• Nine Inch Nails – May 25, 2000, with A Perfect Circle
• Ricky Martin – July 8, 2000
• The Up in Smoke Tour – August 5, 2000
• Pearl Jam – August 14, 2000, with Sonic Youth and Lukin
• Santana – October 3, 2000, with Everlast
• The Dixie Chicks – October 29, 2000, with Willie Nelson
• The Anger Management Tour – December 2, 2000
• Elton John – April 17, 2001, with Billy Joel, March 5, 2005 and March 21, 2014
• Eric Clapton – May 15, 2001, with Doyle Bramhall II & Smokestack, June 12, 2004, with Jimmie Vaughan, March 6, 2010, with Roger Daltrey & The No Plan B Band and March 23, 2013, with The Wallflowers
• Journey – June 12, 2001, with Peter Frampton and John Waite, September 26, 2009, with Night Ranger, September 10, 2011, with Foreigner and Night Ranger and March 8, 2015, with The Steve Miller Band and The Tower of Power
• The Deftones – July 31, 2001, with Godsmack
• Sade – September 1, 2001, with India.Arie and July 22, 2011, with John Legend
• Aerosmith – September 3, 2001, with Fuel, October 24, 2002, with The Stone Temple Pilots, Kid Rock & Twisted Brown Trucker and Run–D.M.C. and December 6, 2012, with Cheap Trick
• Janet Jackson – September 16, 2001, with 112 and September 30, 2015
• Rod Stewart – October 13, 2001 and April 13, 2004
• Ozzy Osbourne – November 7, 2001, with Rob Zombie, Mudvayne and Soil
• Creed – January 24, 2002, with Virgos and Tantric and September 19, 2009, with Staind and Lo-Pro
• Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience – February 3, 2002
• Kenny Chesney – April 6, 2002, with Phil Vassar, Sara Evans and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, March 18, 2005, with Uncle Kracker and Gretchen Wilson, July 20, 2006, with Dierks Bentley and Jake Owen, May 31, 2007, with Sugarland and Pat Green and August 14, 2008, with LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan
• Olga Wilhelmine Munding – April 9, 2002
• JJ Grey & MOFRO – May 4, 2002
• The SCREAM Tour – July 28, 2002, August 22, 2003 and August 13, 2005
• Cher – August 18 and November 14, 2002, with Cyndi Lauper
• Neil Diamond – September 5, 2002 and October 17, 2005
• Nelly – November 7, 2002, with The Cash Money Millionaires
• Paul McCartney – November 12, 2002 and October 11, 2014
• Alan Jackson & The Strayhorns – November 17, 2002, with Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Joe Nichols, September 17, 2004, with Martina McBride, January 13, 2005, with Martina McBride and November 4, 2006, with Little Big Town and The Wreckers
• Tim McGraw – April 22, 2003, with The Dancehall Doctors, July 5, 2006, with Faith Hill (the arena's largest crowd ever, for any event) and April 10, 2010, with Lady Antebellum and The Lost Trailers
• The Rascal Flatts – May 25, 2003, with Chris Cagle, February 28, 2008, with Kellie Pickler, March 6, 2009, with Jessica Simpson and February 4 and March 13, 2011, with Chris Young and Luke Bryan
• The Red Hot Chili Peppers – June 11, 2003, with The Mars Volta and Snoop Dogg and October 4, 2012, with The Band of Skulls
• The Eagles – June 12, 2003, January 23, 2009 and February 23, 2014
• Justin Timberlake – July 8, 2003, with Christina Aguilera, March 1, 2007, with P!nk and August 3, 2014
• JAY Z – August 4, 2003, with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Sean Paul and Fabolous, April 9, 2008, with Mary J. Blige and The-Dream and February 25, 2010, with Jeezy and Trey Songz
• The Double Down Throwdown Festival – September 20, 2003
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – October 18, 2003, with Franky Perez
• R. Kelly – October 26, 2003, with Ashanti, October 14, 2004, with JAY Z and November 30, 2007, with Keyshia Cole and J. Holiday
• The Crown Royal Comedy Soulfest – November 14, 2003
• Beyoncé – March 14, 2004, with Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott and Tamia
• Yanni – March 24, 2004
• Jessica Simpson – June 4, 2004, with Ryan Cabrera
• Simon & Garfunkel – July 8, 2004, with The Everly Brothers
• Sarah McLachlan – July 24, 2004, with Butterfly Boucher
• Usher – August 14, 2004, with Kanye West, December 28, 2010, with Miguel and Trey Songz and December 6, 2014, with August Alsina and DJ Cassidy
• Hilary Duff – August 15, 2004
• Incubus – September 19, 2004
• Earth, Wind & Fire – October 18, 2004, with Chicago
• WQUE 93's Teen Summit XII – October 23, 2004
• Metallica – November 14, 2004, with Godsmack and November 23, 2008, with Down and The Sword
• Bette Midler – November 21, 2004
• Gretchen Wilson – April 26, 2005
• Maureen McGovern – October 4, 2005
• A Night for New Orleans – March 4, 2006
• A Celebration of Hope – March 11–12, 2006
• Kirk Franklin – June 9, 2006, with Mary Mary and Da' T.R.U.T.H.
• Jeezy – June 18, 2006, with Keyshia Cole, Shawnna and Yung Joc and November 28, 2009
• Brooks & Dunn – August 6, 2006, with Allen Toussaint and Brian McKnight
• Maze – August 19, with Cameo and Teena Marie and December 29, with Chaka Khan and KEM, 2006
• New Orleans: Rebuilding The Soul of America…One Year Later – August 29, 2006
• LeToya Luckett – September 24, 2006, with Donell Jones, Tyrese Gibson and Lyfe Jennings
• CeCe Winans – October 7, 2006, with Donnie McClurkin
• Chris Brown – October 20, 2006, with Cherish, Jibbs and Dem Franchize Boyz, January 12, 2008, with Bow Wow, Soulja Boy, The Shop Boyz and Lil Mama, October 13, 2011, with Bow Wow, T-Pain, Tyga and Kelly Rowland and March 12, 2015, with Trey Songz and Tyga
• Def Leppard – November 17, 2006, with Journey and Stoll Vaughan, August 18, 2009, with Cheap Trick and Poison and September 22, 2011, with Heart
• Willy Mason – December 16, 2006
• Ron Tyson – February 28, 2007
• Delirium – March 29–30, 2007
• Lil Wayne – April 8, 2007, with Jeezy, Jim Jones, Baby and Rich Boy, January 11, with Gym Class Heroes, T-Pain, Keri Hilson and Keyshia Cole and December 28, with Drake and Nicki Minaj, 2009 and April 14, 2011, with Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and Travis Barker
• The Blue Man Group – April 10, 2007, with Mike Relm and March 18, 2008, with Mike Relm
• Hank Williams, Jr. – May 27, 2007, with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Chris Janson and September 24, 2010, with Eric Church, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Brice
• The Police – June 30, 2007, with Fiction Plane
• T.I. & Ciara – August 3, 2007, with T-Pain and Yung Joc
• Nickelback – August 17, 2007, with Puddle of Mudd and Finger Eleven and April 17, 2009, with Seether and Saving Abel
• 50 Cent – November 1, 2007
• The Trans-Siberian Orchestra – November 10, 2007, December 18, 2008, December 17, 2009, December 9, 2010 and December 17, 2014
• Tool – November 17, 2007, with Trans Am
• Keri Hilson – January 11, 2008
• The Big Easy Blues Festival – January 19, 2008 and February 14, 2009
• Miley Cyrus – January 26, 2008, with Everlife, October 20, 2009, with Metro Station and March 18, 2014, with Icona Pop and Sky Ferreira
• Van Halen – February 8, 2008, with Ky-Mani Marley and June 26, 2012, with Kool & the Gang
• Michael Bublé – February 26, 2008, July 14, 2010, with Naturally 7 and October 22, 2013, with Naturally 7
• Bell Biv DeVoe – March 8, 2008, with Keith Sweat, Tony! Toni! Toné! and Dru Hill
• 311 – March 11, 2008 and March 11, 2014
• Rush – April 20, 2008 and June 10, 2011
• Alicia Keys – May 22, 2008, with Jordin Sparks and Ne-Yo and March 21, 2013, with Miguel
• Kid Rock & Twisted Brown Trucker – August 8, 2008, with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Back Door Slam and February 21, 2013, with Buckcherry and Hellbound Glory
• New Kids on the Block – October 18, 2008, with Natasha Bedingfield and Tami Chynn
• Big Sam's Funky Nation – December 20, 2008
• Celine Dion – January 10, 2009
• Brad Paisley & The Drama Kings – January 17, 2009, with Dierks Bentley and Darius Rucker and October 13, 2012, with The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery
• Mötley Crüe – February 28, 2009, with Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and The Last Vegas
• The Domino Effect Show – May 30, 2009
• Coldplay – June 9, 2009, with Snow Patrol and The Howling Bells
• Fleetwood Mac – June 20, 2009
• Green Day – August 7, 2009, with Kaiser Chiefs and The Soul Rebels
• The Jonas Brothers – August 15, 2009, with Jordin Sparks, Honor Society and The Wonder Girls
• Star Wars in Concert – October 27, 2009
• AC/DC – October 28, 2009, with The Answer
• George Strait & The Ace in the Hole Band – March 5, 2010, with Reba McEntire and Lee Ann Womack and April 13, 2013, with Martina McBride
• John Mayer – March 10, 2010, with Michael Franti & Spearhead and December 7, 2013, with Phillip Phillips
• The Budweiser Superfest Tour – September 3, 2010
• Randy Montana – February 19, 2011
• Lady Gaga – April 9, 2011, with Semi Precious Weapons
• Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band – May 3, 2011
• Katy Perry – September 8, 2011, with DJ Skeet Skeet and Janelle Monáe
• Dralion – September 14–17, 2011
• Taylor Swift – October 5, 2011, with NEEDTOBREATHE and Charlie Worsham
• Kanye West – December 3, 2011, with JAY Z and December 5, 2013, with Kendrick Lamar
• Fireflight – January 29, 2012
• Michael Jackson: The Immortal – February 15–16, 2012
• Shaila Dúrcal – June 29, 2012
• The Al Haymon Festival Tour – August 5, 2012
• The Life@50+ Concert – September 22, 2012
• Madonna – October 27, 2012, with Paul Oakenfold and Nero
• Justin Bieber – January 15, 2013, with Carly Rae Jepsen and Cody Simpson
• Quidam – March 13–17, 2013
• Jason Aldean – October 25, 2013, with Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett
• Drake – November 9, 2013, with Miguel and Future
• Rihanna – November 15, 2013, with A$AP Rocky
• Kings of Leon – April 11, 2014, with Local Natives
• Bruno Mars & The Hooligans – June 7, 2014, with Aloe Blacc
• Varekai – November 19–23, 2014
• The New Orleans Bowl Free Concert – December 19, 2014
• Charlie Wilson – March 14, 2015, with Joe and KEM
• Stevie Wonder – March 24, 2015
• Rihanna – March 6, 2016, with Travis Scott
• Winter Jam – April 1, 2016
• Selena Gomez – June 14, 2016, with DNCE and Bea Miller
• Twenty One Pilots – March 2, 2017
• Ariana Grande – April 8, 2017, with Victoria Monét anf Little Mix

See also

• Champions Square
• Mercedes-Benz Superdome
• Sports in New Orleans

Gallery

• 
  New Orleans Arena – New Orleans Hornets Court
• 
  New Orleans Arena – 2006
• 
  New Orleans Arena – 2008
• 
  New Orleans Arena – 2011

See also

• List of music venues

References

1. "2014-2015 New Orleans Pelicans Media Guide" (PDF). National Basketball Association. October 13, 2014. p. 7. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
2. Waddell, Ray (December 18, 1995). "Construction Begins on Superdome's Sister Venue: New Orleans Sports Arena". Amusement Business. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
3. Smith, Jimmy (October 29, 2009). "New Orleans Arena, in Its 10th Year, Took Wheeling and Dealing to Come to Fruition". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
4. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis Community Development Project. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
5. "CM Jobs". CS Associates. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
6. "New Orleans Arena". Emporis. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
7. "The New Orleans Arena". Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. Archived from the original on March 8, 2004. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
8. "New Orleans Sports Arena". Manhattan Construction Group. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
9. "Pelicans uniting with Smoothie King". ESPN. February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
10. Arena Digest - New Orleans Arena
11. "Daktronics Photo Gallery: New Orleans Arena".
12. Tour of Renovated New Orleans Arena | New Orleans Pelicans | BourbonStreetShots.com
13. "Smoothie King Center Unveiled as New Orleans Prepares to Host NBA All-Star Game" (Press release). New Orleans Pelicans. February 6, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
14. "Pelicans Arena to be Renamed Smoothie King Center". National Basketball Association. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
15. Reid, John (February 5, 2014). "New Orleans Pelicans Agree to Arena Naming Rights Deal with Smoothie King". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
16. Reid, John (October 13, 2014). "Newly Renovated Smoothie King Center Ready for New Orleans Pelicans' Preseason Home Opener". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
17. Teaford, Elliott (December 9, 2002). "Davis Is the Latest Test". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
18. Duncan, Jeff (January 9, 2008). "Hornets Extend N.O. Lease Until 2014". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
19. "2013–14 New Orleans Pelicans Media Guide" (PDF). National Basketball Association. October 21, 2013. p. 7. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
20. "New Orleans to Host NBA All-Star 2008". National Basketball Association. May 22, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2006.
21. List, Lauren (February 18, 2008). "City Officials: NBA All-Star Weekend Helped Prove N.O. is Back". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
22. Reid, John (February 17, 2014). "New Orleans Hosts Another Successful NBA All-Star Weekend". The Times-Picayune. New Orleans. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
23. Classic XXXIII - Aug. 1-3, 2003 | Bassmaster

External links

• Official website