|
New Orleans Arena
New Orleans and South Louisiana embarked upon a new era of entertainment and sports with the opening of the sparkling New Orleans Arena Oct. 19, 1999. The Arena quickly took its place as a bright, clean and safe place to enjoy a wide array of events.
The availability of a new, debt-free arena was a vital factor in the move of the Charlotte Hornets, a National Basketball Association franchise, to New Orleans. On October 30, 2002, the "new" New Orleans Hornets defeated the Utah Jazz (New Orleans' previous NBA team), and quickly established the home court advantage with an 11-game winning streak in the Arena.
The Arena opened its doors for the first time with a hockey game between the New Orleans Brass and the Baton Rouge Kingfish. The following day, an Open House was held for local fans to get a free look at the new arena.
Located adjacent to the Louisiana Superdome, the Arena is within walking distance of 18,000 hotel rooms, the Central Business District, the French Quarter, and riverfront attractions.
With capacities of up to 18,500 for concerts and 17,200 for basketball, the Arena has attracted a number of new events. Home teams include the Hornets, the Nokia Sugar Bowl Basketball Classic and Tulane University basketball. A new Arena Football League franchise, the New Orleans VooDoo, who begins play February 14, 2004.
The Arena's entertainment mix includes concerts, festivals, circuses, family attractions, meetings, banquets, receptions, trade shows, exhibits, Mardi Gras parties, special convention shows, private functions, and closed-circuit television presentations. Special events are staged before and/or after some Superdome events.
|
|
