History of Smoothie King Center in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 3, 2026

Smoothie King Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, situated in the Central Business District next to the Caesars Superdome. Opening in 1999 as New Orleans Arena, it has served as the home of the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) since 2002. It also hosted the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League in two stints: from 2004 until the team disbanded in 2008, and again from March 2011 until the franchise folded after the 2015 season.

October 19, 1999: Arena Officially Opened

On October 19, 1999, the arena, then known as New Orleans Arena, officially opened after being completed at a cost of $114 million. The arena has a seating capacity of 17,805 for concerts, 16,867 for Pelicans games, 18,500 for college basketball and Pelicans playoff games, and 16,900 for ice hockey and arena football. It also includes 2,800 club seats and 56 luxury suites.

2001: Royal Rumble Hosted

In 2001, the Smoothie King Center hosted Royal Rumble.

October 30, 2002: Hornets First Game

On October 30, 2002, the Hornets played their first game at the Smoothie King Center against the Utah Jazz.

December 2002: NCAA Women's Volleyball Final Four Held

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

February 2004: New Orleans VooDoo Began Playing Home Games

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

2004: Women's Final Four Hosted

In 2004, the Smoothie King Center hosted the Women's Final Four.

August 29, 2005: Medical Operations Moved After Hurricane Katrina

Following Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, medical operations previously housed in the Superdome were moved to the Smoothie King Center due to the arena's better condition.

March 8, 2006: Hornets' First Home Game Post-Katrina

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. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Hornets, 113–107, in front of a sellout crowd of 17,744.

2006: LED Video and Scoring System Installed

In 2006, an LED centerhung video and scoring system from Daktronics was installed in the Smoothie King Center, featuring ring displays, video displays, and scoreboards.

2007: ArenaBowl XXI Hosted

In 2007, the Smoothie King Center hosted ArenaBowl XXI.

2007: NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds Hosted

In 2007, the Smoothie King Center hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

2008: 2008 NBA All-Star Game Hosted

In 2008, Smoothie King Center hosted the NBA All-Star Game.

2008: ArenaBowl XXII Hosted

In 2008, the Smoothie King Center hosted ArenaBowl XXII.

2008: NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament South Regionals Hosted

In 2008, the Smoothie King Center hosted the NCAA women's basketball tournament South Regionals.

2008: New "See-Through" Shot Clocks Installed

In the summer of 2008, new Daktronics "see-through" shot clocks were installed at the arena, replacing the existing box units.

2009: Extreme Rules Hosted

In 2009, the Smoothie King Center hosted Extreme Rules.

2010: NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First and Second Rounds Hosted

In 2010, the Smoothie King Center hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

March 2011: VooDoo Resumed Play at Arena

In March 2011, the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League resumed play at the Smoothie King Center.

March 2011: New Orleans VooDoo Resumed Play

In March 2011, the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League resumed playing their home games at the Smoothie King Center.

2011: Hell in a Cell Hosted

In 2011, the Smoothie King Center hosted Hell in a Cell.

2011: NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Southeast Regional Hosted

In 2011, the Smoothie King Center hosted the Southeast Regional of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

2012: ArenaBowl XXV Hosted

In 2012, the Smoothie King Center hosted ArenaBowl XXV.

2012: Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Tournament Held

In 2012, the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament was held at the Smoothie King Center.

2013: Elimination Chamber Hosted

In 2013, the Smoothie King Center hosted Elimination Chamber.

2013: Women's Final Four Hosted

In 2013, the Smoothie King Center hosted the Women's Final Four.

2013: Arena Underwent Significant Upgrade

In 2013, the Smoothie King Center underwent a significant upgrade focused on the gameday experience, including updates to suites and club levels, new Loge Boxes, a new Party Perch, upgraded concession stands, and upgraded LED boards.

February 5, 2014: Arena Renamed Smoothie King Center

On February 5, 2014, a 10-year agreement was announced to rename the New Orleans Arena the Smoothie King Center, prior to the 2014 NBA All-Star Game.

October 2014: Exterior Renovations Completed

In October 2014, exterior renovations were completed on the Smoothie King Center, including new entrances, painting the center light gray, and a new outer LED lighting system similar to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome's.

2014: 2014 NBA All-Star Game Hosted

In 2014, Smoothie King Center hosted the NBA All-Star Game.

2014: WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Raw Episode Hosted

In 2014, the Smoothie King Center was the venue for the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony and the following episode of Raw, as part of WrestleMania XXX weekend.

2017: 2017 NBA All-Star Game Hosted

In 2017, Smoothie King Center hosted the NBA All-Star Game after it was moved from Charlotte due to North Carolina's "bathroom bill".

2018: NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony and Raw and SmackDown Episodes Hosted

In 2018, the Smoothie King Center hosted NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and the subsequent episodes of Raw and SmackDown during WrestleMania 34 weekend.