Smoothie King Center Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

How many smoothies do you need to sell to be able to sponsor a major arena? That’s a question you may find yourself pondering when you visit New Orleans Smoothie King Center. Located right the Big Easy’s central business district, this multipurpose arena is the home of NBA franchise the New Orleans Pelicans and was also the home of the city soccer team before it folded.

Opened in 1999, the stadium has become an important feature of the city’s entertainment life. Hosting concerts and tradeshows as well as basketball games, Smoothie King Center is a great place to let your hair down and enjoy some entertainment. You can make your visit easier on yourself by dropping off any unneeded bags at a luggage storage locker near Smoothie King Center. The lighter you travel, the easier you find it to navigate both the stadium and the city it serves.

Smoothie King Center bag policy

In keeping with most modern stadia, Smoothie Team Center has a fairly rigid bag policy. Any bags you bring into the stadium must be transparent and can be no bigger than 12”x12”x6”. Alternatively, a one-gallon Ziploc bag is also acceptable, but you must choose one or the other. A small clutch purse no bigger than six inches in length is also permitted.

Nontransparent diaper bags are allowed so long as they fit within the size requirements. Note that all bags are subject to search by security staff. If you want to make your visit easier, the smart thing to do is drop off any bags you don’t need at a luggage locker near Smoothie King Center so that you know you’re not breaking any rules.

Smoothie King Center food policy

Smoothie King Center’s food policy has the advantage of being clear. No outside food is permitted inside the stadium. You can bring an empty water bottle with you and fill it up once you’re past security, but other than that, you can’t bring any refreshments inside.

You can make things easier on yourself by leaving the food behind and getting something to eat while you’re at the stadium. Smoothie King Center has an impressive range of concessions where you can buy everything from barbecue to pizza to hotdogs to traditional Louisiana cuisine. No matter what you like to eat, you won’t go hungry at Smoothie King Center.

Smoothie King Center camera policy

You are allowed to bring a camera with you to the stadium. However, note that video cameras and professional cameras are not allowed. Any camera with a lens more than six inches in length will not be permitted inside. Monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, lights, and other photography equipment are also prohibited. 

The easiest thing to do may be to leave any expensive camera equipment at a luggage storage facility near Smoothie King Center. That way, your valuable equipment will be safe and you won’t run into any problems with security.

Smoothie King Center rules

• Smoking is not permitted inside the stadium. There are designated smoking areas at East 100 and North 100.
• Metal detectors are used to ensure security, so be ready to empty your pockets as you enter.
• IPads and other tablets are not allowed inside the stadium.
• Large banners or banners that management deems “in poor taste” are not permitted. Neither are laser pointers, noisemakers, bottles, cans, or any other kind of container.
• Smoothie King Center and the adjacent Mercedes-Benz Superdome have designated parking for up to 7000 vehicles. On game days and during big events, these parking lots get full fast, so arrive early.
• The stadium is right next to Union Passenger Terminal, so you can also catch a train to get to your event.

Smoothie King Center lockers

There’s always something going on at Smoothie King Center. And catching a basketball game or live show while you’re in New Orleans is a great way to enjoy what the city has to offer. There’s nothing like enjoying a life event to add to your trip.

However, due to its fairly stringent bag and food policies, you don’t want to visit Smoothie King Center carrying more than you need to. Drop off your unneeded bags at a nearby luggage storage service to ensure an easier trip. Knowing your bags are safely looked after allows you to concentrate on enjoying your event.