How Much Is Parking at Smoothie King Center?
Parking at Smoothie King Center for New Orleans Pelicans games typically costs between $20 and $50 in the official ASM Global-managed garages and surface lots, depending on the structure and event demand.
The official complex surrounds the arena with seven parking garages and two surface lots capable of holding approximately 7,000 vehicles. Garage rates start around $20 at the Champions Garage for lower-demand events and climb toward $50 for high-profile matchups. Third-party lots within a 10-minute walk often come in between $5 and $20, making them a strong budget alternative.
Prepaid passes purchased through platforms like SpotHero, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats can drop costs significantly — in some cases under $10 — compared to drive-up prices. All official parking at Smoothie King Center is cashless; only credit and debit cards are accepted at garages and lots on game day.
Smoothie King Center Parking Lots and Maps
The ASM Global-managed complex around Smoothie King Center includes seven covered parking garages — Garages 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 5, 6, and Champions Garage — plus two surface lots, Lot 3 and Lot 4, all adjacent to the arena and Caesars Superdome.
Champions Garage is one of the most convenient options for Pelicans fans, with walk-up rates starting around $20. The numbered garages (1, 1A, 2, 2A, 5, and 6) are positioned throughout the Superdome-Smoothie King Center campus and share inventory between both venues. On nights when both facilities host events simultaneously, the entire complex can fill quickly, so arriving early or booking in advance is critical.
Lot 3 and Lot 4 are open surface lots that typically offer slightly lower rates than the covered garages. Lot 3 sits near LaRouge Street and doubles as the primary ADA parking area for Pelicans games. Third-party garages along Poydras Street and Loyola Avenue — including the 1200 Poydras St. Garage, the 600 Loyola Ave. Garage, and the HEAL Garage on LaSalle Street — are located roughly 0.3 to 0.4 miles from the arena and list event rates from around $9 to $16 on booking platforms. An official parking map is available at smoothiekingcenter.com/plan-your-visit/directions-parking.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Smoothie King Center
The closest premium parking to Smoothie King Center is Champions Garage, which sits immediately adjacent to the arena campus and offers covered, secured parking with direct walking access to arena entrances.
Champions Garage walk-up rates begin at $20 for standard events and rise for playoff games, marquee concerts, and sold-out nights. Fans who want guaranteed close-in spots should prepay through the arena’s official site or a third-party platform, since Champions Garage fills early on busy event nights. The 1123 Poydras St. Lot-P168 — roughly 0.4 miles away — also lists at premium event pricing around $40 on aggregators.
Premium Parking offers hourly, daily, and monthly reserved spaces near the arena, with payment options including advance online booking, the free mobile app, TextPay (text PARK to 504504), and CameraPay on-site. Monthly reserved parking is available for employees or frequent visitors who need a consistent commuting solution.
Free Parking Near Smoothie King Center
There is no free dedicated event parking directly adjacent to Smoothie King Center, but experienced fans find no-cost street parking within a short walk before meter enforcement ends.
Metered street parking is available on roads between Smoothie King Center and the Central Business District. Meters in New Orleans typically stop being enforced at 6:00 p.m., so fans who arrive before that cutoff — feed the meter until enforcement ends — and walk the few blocks to the arena can park at no cost. This is a well-known local strategy, especially for 7:00 p.m. tip-off games.
Budget-conscious fans willing to walk about 10 minutes can also find open surface lots in the surrounding blocks priced as low as $5. Most of these cheaper options are privately operated surface lots scattered through the Central Business District. Checking the Parkopedia or SpotHero map on game day surfaces the closest and least expensive walk-up alternatives to the official garage complex.
Can You Tailgate at Smoothie King Center?
Tailgating is not allowed at Smoothie King Center. The venue prohibits tailgating in all garages and surface lots on the campus.
Unauthorized tailgating in any garage or lot can result in ejection from the parking facility. Outside food and beverages are also not permitted inside the arena. The venue’s policy applies to the entire ASM Global-managed parking complex, which covers both the Smoothie King Center and Caesars Superdome campus.
For pre-game socializing, Champions Square — located directly on the arena campus between the Smoothie King Center and Caesars Superdome — is the recommended alternative. The outdoor entertainment space regularly hosts pre-game events, live music, food vendors, and drink options before Pelicans games. Bars and restaurants in the French Quarter and Central Business District, a short walk from the arena, are also popular pre-game destinations.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Smoothie King Center
ADA parking for New Orleans Pelicans games is located in Lot 3 at Smoothie King Center, positioned near LaRouge Street for direct accessible access to the arena.
Accessible parking is also available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout all ASM Global-managed parking garages on the campus. To use any accessible space, guests must display a current disabled placard along with a matching identification card, or have a qualifying disabled license plate on the vehicle. All parking on campus is cashless, so a credit or debit card is required.
For Pelicans games specifically, it is recommended that guests inquiring about ADA accommodations or seat relocations check in at the NE Box Office, located at the corner of Dave Dixon Drive and Le Rouge Lane, before entering the facility. For parking-specific questions, contact the Superdome Parking Office at (504) 587-3805 or the Champions Garage Parking Office at (504) 587-3971.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Smoothie King Center
Smoothie King Center has designated rideshare drop-off and pickup zones along LaSalle Street and Poydras Street, both offering a short walk to arena entrances.
The rideshare pickup area is geo-fenced, meaning you can only request a Uber or Lyft pickup from within the designated zone — not from anywhere on the surrounding blocks. The venue uses signage and marked pathways to direct rideshare passengers from the drop-off point to the correct arena entrance. During events, a courtesy shuttle also runs between South LaSalle and North LaSalle for guests using the rideshare zone.
After the game, rideshare demand spikes immediately outside the arena, causing surge pricing and longer wait times. Walking a few blocks away from the venue before requesting your ride is a reliable way to reduce both cost and wait time. Plan to request your post-game ride as soon as the final buzzer sounds if you want to get ahead of the crowd.
Public Transit to Smoothie King Center
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is the primary public transit option for reaching Smoothie King Center, with both streetcar and bus routes serving the arena.
The RTA Canal Street Streetcar Line is the most convenient rail option: it stops at Poydras Street, which is a short walk from the arena. The Loyola-UPT Streetcar Line is even closer — the Julia Street stop puts riders within a few blocks of the main arena entrance on Dave Dixon Drive. RTA Bus Routes 28 and 91 also serve the downtown corridor and provide direct access to the Smoothie King Center area. The nearest bus stop is on Poydras Street, across from Caesars Superdome, roughly a 10-minute walk to the arena.
A single RTA fare is $1.25, and a one-day all-day pass is $3. Riders can plan routes and purchase passes using the RTA’s GoMobile app. Fans staying in the French Quarter or Central Business District can reach the arena entirely on foot — the walk west on Poydras Street toward the Superdome, then south on Loyola Avenue, covers the route in about 15 to 20 minutes.
Smoothie King Center Parking Tips
The most effective way to save money and time on parking at Smoothie King Center is to book a prepaid pass through SpotHero, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats well before game day, when rates are at their lowest.
Arrive at least 90 minutes before tip-off if you plan to park in the official ASM Global garages. The shared campus with Caesars Superdome means that on nights when both venues are active, all 7,000 spaces across the complex can fill well before event time. Fans who prefer to park and walk can target independent surface lots and garages along Poydras Street, Loyola Avenue, and LaSalle Street — priced from $9 to $16 — and approach the arena from the Central Business District side.
For street parking, aim to arrive before 6:00 p.m. when meter enforcement ends. After that, metered spots along nearby streets are free for the rest of the evening. If you want to skip parking entirely, riding the Loyola-UPT Streetcar to Julia Street or taking RTA Bus Route 28 gets you close at a fraction of the cost. Always bring a credit or debit card — the entire campus is cashless and cash is not accepted at any parking location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Smoothie King Center for a Pelicans game?
Official ASM Global-managed garages and surface lots charge between $20 and $50 for Pelicans games, depending on the structure and event demand. Prepaid passes purchased through SpotHero, SeatGeek, or Vivid Seats can drop that cost to under $10 in some cases.
Where is the closest parking garage to Smoothie King Center?
Champions Garage is the closest covered parking option, sitting directly adjacent to the Smoothie King Center and Caesars Superdome campus. Walk-up rates there begin around $20 and increase for high-demand events.
Can you pay cash for parking at Smoothie King Center?
No. The entire Smoothie King Center campus is a cashless operation. Parking garages and surface lots accept credit and debit cards only. Guests who need to convert cash can do so at kiosks inside the arena near Sections 108 and 310.
Is tailgating allowed at Smoothie King Center?
Tailgating is prohibited in all garages and surface lots at Smoothie King Center. Unauthorized tailgating can result in ejection from the parking facility. Champions Square, located on the arena campus, is the recommended pre-game gathering spot.
Where is ADA parking at Smoothie King Center for Pelicans games?
ADA parking for Pelicans games is in Lot 3, located near LaRouge Street. Additional accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis in all ASM Global garages on campus. A valid disabled placard with matching ID or a qualifying license plate is required.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at Smoothie King Center?
Designated rideshare drop-off and pickup zones are located along LaSalle Street and Poydras Street near the arena entrances. The pickup area is geo-fenced, so you must be in the designated zone to request a ride. A courtesy shuttle also operates between South LaSalle and North LaSalle during events.
What is the cheapest way to park near Smoothie King Center?
Independent surface lots within a 10-minute walk of the arena can be found for as little as $5. Arriving before 6:00 p.m. also allows fans to use metered street parking in the Central Business District at no cost once enforcement ends. Prepaying on a parking aggregator is the best way to secure a low rate in a closer lot.
How many parking spaces are available at Smoothie King Center?
The ASM Global-managed complex around Smoothie King Center and Caesars Superdome includes seven parking garages and two surface lots with a combined capacity of approximately 7,000 vehicles. Availability shrinks quickly when both venues host events on the same night.
