Last updated on November 14th, 2023 at 09:48 am
Smoothie King Center is home to the New Orleans Pelicans NBA team at 1501 Dave Dixon Dr, New Orleans, Louisiana 70113, directly next to Caesars Superdome (formerly Mercedes-Benz Superdome). The Smoothie King Center bag policy allows fans to bring in one bag that does not exceed 14″ x 14″ x 6″ in size. However, traditional backpacks and similar types of bags can’t come into the arena.
Here is the Smoothie King Center bag policy guide for your next event. I also share my bag recommendation on what to bring to the game. Finally, there is an affiliate link to Amazon on this page.
Approved Bags
While you don’t need to bring a clear bag into the venue, carrying in one results in faster bag inspection time. Plus, more and more venues are adopting the clear bag-only rule. Therefore, buying a clear bag today is a wise choice. Below are the types of bags fans can bring into the stadium.
- A clear single-compartment bag no larger than 14″ x 14″ x 6″
- A clear fanny pack
- A clear ziplock bag
- Small clutch bags/purses
- Small wristlets
- Any ADA-specific bag
- Medical bags and diaper bags. These bags might need an x-ray check at the gate and a visual inspection by the stadium staff.
My Clear Bag Recommendation + Experience
I’ve been to several basketball venues over the years that have same bag policy as Smoothie King Center. From my experience, I’ve never had an issue bringing my clear fanny pack to arenas for a few reasons. First, the bag is clear, which fits the clear bag policy. Second, my clear fanny pack is 11″ x 6.5″ x 5.9″, which means it is much smaller than what most venues allow. Third, I find wearing this fanny pack to be comfortable, which is important since I’m walking around venues with it documenting the food choices.
Below is a video of me going into why I recommend this type of bag in more detail.
How Does the Smoothie King Center Security Staff Review Bags?
Fans arriving at Smoothie King Center for an NBA game or another event will undergo a metal detector screening before entering the arena. Fans with a bag will line up in the bag inspection line for an inspection. The security team at Smoothie King Center will then review your bag and the content inside of it to see if it can enter the venue. Assuming no problems with your bag, you will get it back and can enter the stadium with it.
What are the Prohibited Items that Fans Can’t Bring into Smoothie King Center?
Fans heading to Smoothie King Center for a basketball game or an upcoming event should know that certain items can’t come in with them on game day. Some things that can’t come into the basketball arena are below. You can visit this link for the complete list of prohibited items.
- Bags that are larger than 14” x 14” x 6”
- Traditional backpacks, cinch bags, luggage bags, oversized bags, and coolers
- Aerosol cans
- Non-service animals
- Banners
- Bats
- Drones
- Fireworks
- Glassware
- Laptops
- Tablets
- iPads
- Laser pointers
- Outside food and drinks
- Selfie sticks
- Strollers
- Weapons of any kind
Is There a Bag Check or Locker Storage Option for Fans to Use at Smoothie King Center?
There is no official bag check or locker storage option for fans to use directly at Smoothie King Center if their bag can’t come into the venue with them. If your bag can’t come in for any reason, you must bring it back to your car and leave it there. From there, you must get back in line and go through another security check before entering the arena.
If you don’t have a car to leave your bag in, see if a nearby hotel or bar can watch it for you. Smoothie King Center is in downtown New Orleans, so plenty of hotels and bars are within walking distance of the arena. Most places charge a small bag-holding fee if they have the space to watch your property while you are at the game. However, these places only have a limited amount of space to hold onto bags, so it comes on a first come and first served basis.
Additional Helpful Links
Visit the Smoothie King Center Parking guide for more information.
Visit the Smoothie King Center Food Guide to see what you can eat at the arena.
Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.