Dean E. Smith Center

Thanks to Ron W. I saw my first UNC game at the Dean E. Smith Center {they won against Wake Forest – go TAR HEELS!} We arrived early for the game, parked off Rosemary ($ 4 for the entire time) for dinner and road the Express Bus ($ 5/​person, round trip) directly in front of Carolina Café, to the stadium for drop-​off in front of gate A. I really don’t think there’s a bad seat in the Stadium, although I’m sure the closer you get, the better.
Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I went to a college stadium to watch a game, but the experience here was great. My first shock: no adult bevies served?! I learned this is common at college stadiums. And while bags were «eye-​checked» by students, I’m sure you’d be able to slip something inside if you’re desperate. They do have a huge variety of food stands, although I didn’t try any, I saw students eating popcorn, nachos and even chick-​fi-​A and dip’n’dots.
Two things I noticed that are different from my post, professional stadium experiences: there’s no jumbo-​tron hanging from the middle of the ceiling, all the stats will be off to one side. Also, the student section is directly behind one of the goal posts (and no signs are allowed within the stadium). If you’re a long-​legged person, you might feel like you’re in an airplane, there’s not a plethora of leg space, and you’ll have to sit on all your winter gear if it’s in-​season.

Affectionately known as «The Dean Dome», the Dean E. Smith Center is a near 30-​year old multi-​purpose arena named after the UNC’s greatest coach & innovator, Dean Smith. It is located on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and fairly easy to find. It is also located next door to the Carolina Basketball Museum (a must-​see).
As storied as this arena is, tickets are really difficult to get here. If you are among the most fortunate to sit on the lower bowl, fantastic. Most of those that want to observe an ACC game, such as when my Wahoos come to town, usually sit in the higher sections. The best games to sit in the lower bowl are usually non-​conference, when the Tarheels play against formidable opponents, such as the D-​III Little Sisters of the Poor, and the Devry Institute Runnin’ Geek Squad Pandas.
Nonetheless, its kinda great to come here for a game. The student section can get rowdy at times, but you’ll find that anywhere. In fact, the place reminds me of games at University Hall at UVA: rowdy in spurts, yet sorta ho hum, another blowout win over a bottom-​tier ACC school. The Dean Dome doesn’t have the close sort of environment that you’ll easily find at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, yet I think that this is by design to accommodate a very large student body + huge regional and national following of fans.
Altogether, I’d certainly return, if I maintain the same hook up with tickets.

A ver special tribute to University of North Carolina lengendary coach Dean E. Smith, coach so many great players in a past. Soon, the rivalry of Duke-​UNC men’s college basketball later on soon

I work for UNC and get tickets to the men’s basketball games several times a season. In my humble opinion the best place to park is at The Bell Tower Parking Deck. Its only $ 5 per vehicle and a .7 mile walk to the Dean Dome. Traffic is lighter coming in and leaving campus using South Road. Just dress warm and wear comfortable shoes!

There’s not a bad seat in the house.
Fun tip: visit the UNC basketball museum next door before the game to really get into the Tar Heel spirit.

The narrow concourses date the building, but that big, wide bowl is home to 20-​odd thousand Heel fans rocking the joint.
And although you’ve seen them a billion times on TV, nothing really prepares you for all the jerseys in the rafters. Absolute genius. Humanizes and shrinks the space in the most classy way imaginable. Not to mention intimidating for opponents.
More cheesy, though, are all the blown up team photos that ring the concourses, providing a kinda HS gym effect. Cute and homey in a way, but also a reminder that the Dome is fast approaching 35 years old.

This place can get loud, and the atmosphere is electrifying. I managed to catch Carolina topple Duke here for the snow make up game. It was a right one till the end. Parking for this stadium is not ideal, and food leaves some things to be desired, but all in all it’s a great atmosphere

Ok. Here with coach John Calipari.. «it’s going to be a War !!! «. A quote from Coach Cal.

My husband and I attended a game last week. We are talking about getting season tickets because we loved it, and wished we could attend this weekend’s game.
We parked at University Mall and paid 5.00 to park. The bus dropped us of early, but we had to wait about an hour for the return trip. It was difficult to find the correct bus to return us to the mall.
The game and whole experience was relaxing and stress free except for the annoying VA fans behind us — we moved our seats to the top of the arena — any seats that are empty — can be used after half time.
Food was expensive, but they let me bring in a water bottle. Bags were searched and tagged. UNC big screen videos kept us updated, and several University sport recognitions were made for other sports.
UNC blue is a must to wear! We felt like part of the family while we were there.
After the game, wait a bit in your seats for the lines to go down to get on the busses, look around for empty UNC plastic cups that people left at their seats. We picked up a few and (cleaned them) and use them at home.
I want to go again!

Totally bias, I have been here several times and I never had a bad experience with the exception of the score of the dook game this past weekend. I park at the deck across from the hospital for $ 10, easy in easy out. Foot traffic from the parking deck into the dome is fine, leaving is a little bit more of a hassle, there is only one set of steps in the parking lot if you decide not to walk up the hill that is gated off. There is a passable little trail to the right of the steps before the road and there is not a line of people going up it. I don’t buy food at any arena/​stadium because it is too expensive. The restrooms are located throughout the dome around the concourse and you have the option of a stall or the trough in the men’s bathroom. My seat was comfortable, I have sat in cushioned seats and I have had seats in the nosebleeds where you can’t hear the ball bounce. All the seats are fine. Love UNC, Love the Dean Dome!

Let’s be honest… this isn’t a place you rate based on the food, the service, the bathrooms, accessibility, etc. You either like the heels, or you don’t!

The patriot in me should probably laud this place in every way possible, but I will have to throw out a few critiques in here.
Love that the seats have cushioning (at least in the lower level). Sitting in the student section is pretty sweet, but when the team does well, the whole damn place lights up. Hurts your ears. In a good way.
Cell phone service is spotty to nonexistent. I guess I should be watching the game, and I do, but I needs to be connected!
The food here is WAY subpar. So many sports arenas have revamped their food selection to be more appealing and varied, but the Smith Center seems mired in the past. I ordered a hot dog and a soda for a poor teenage girl volunteer who was inexperienced and somewhat inept to be serving people, and in her anxiety kept making more mistakes. The pretzels people sent back because they were cold, my hot do was half red and half brown from being overcooked or sitting on those metal rolly things too long. They ran out of Chik-​Fil-​A sandwiches before the game started… get it together concessions!
The game was awesome, though. Can’t wait to return. Go Heels!

Of course I’m bias I love UNC basketball and everything associated with it. I actually had a UNLV hat on and took it off for respect, anywhere else I would’ve wore it, at Durham I did haha. No I think I took it off too haha. It holds a few more thousands than the Thomas and Mack and has a lot of banners and jerseys hanging from the rafters. It’s NICE I love it. Look I see MJ LOL
If you’re just visiting come on a day there aren’t events in the center like a game. There as a row of parking meters in the parking lot across the street at Skipper Bowels Dr and Williamson Dr otherwise you will need a parking permit. $ 0.25 for 10 mins. If u want to indulged load that meter up with coins. There’s also more meter parking by the Kenan Stadium. Don’t forget to take a sip out of the Old Well which is said to give good luck.
If coming from the parking lot along Skipper Bowels Dr don’t work your way to the right around the center there’s nothing to see. Left of the center is where you want to go. There’s more to see. If the gate doors to the center are closed try the Basketball Offices doors, on the left of the center, this is where you will also find the trophies and championship rings. I think there’s also a museum but the doors were locked.
I’m not sure if this is open to everyone or if it was just my charm but if you want to take a peek of the court go in through the Basketball Offices (2^nd floor) and take the elevators up the 3^rd floor. According to the info on the elevator these floors are open to the public. Do not go down to the 1^st floor that’s the locker rooms and court floor OFF LIMITS if someone abuses this PRIVILEGE they’ll probably stop opening up the center for us all. Not many places allow this I’ve tried. Also you can see the trophies and rings, how sweet is that. There’s so much going on in here. I could just sit down in the seats and imagine watching all the UNC greats or a Duke vs UNC game.
Facility wise I still love the Thomas and Mack Center of UNLV cause there’s more features. But this is one of the best too. I would love to come back for a game. GO TAR HEELS!!! Well except when its against UNLV maybe it all depends on the situation LOL.

A nice stadium at a great university, but I wish they had more bicycle racks and healthier food. Also wish they would dump Chick-​fil-​a for their anti-​gay conservatism and pick up a more local vendor instead.

GREAT place to watch a basketball game. Although it’s big for a college arena and doesn’t have that claustrophobic feel of that arena a few miles down the road, it’s a GREAT atmosphere. You can feel the love everyone has for the team and the university.
Looking up at all of the banners, honored and retired jerseys, you immediately feel like a part of history. The feeling of community that is fostered must be why you’ll frequently see former players coming back to watch big games.
It’s fun to walk down the hallways and see the photos of former teams and they play those great «We Are Carolina» videos full of alumni during the games.
The student sections can get rowdy (as they should) and the rest of the arena, full of the older alumni is a great place for families. You’ll usually see lots of kids having a blast at the games (I know I did when I went as a child).
Also, the food is what I’d want at a Carolina game. They have barbecue sandwiches (Carolina style of course. It’s not Allen and Sons, but it’ll do in a pinch) and Chick-​fil-​a sandwiches.
I now live in Los Angeles, and have been to a couple of games at Pauley Pavilion (UCLA). It’s about half the size of the Dean Dome, but they were still unable to fill it for the game I went to (it’s was CSU Fullerton, but still. I went to the Elon game in December of 2011 in Chapel Hill and it was 95% filled). They had all the championship banners and retired jerseys, but it really made me realize what a special place the DES Center is. Pauley lacked the air of excitement and lacked the feeling of community.
If you can catch a game in the Smith Center, make sure you do, because I have not had any experience remotely close to it in my life.

I am reviewing this from an outsider perspective. Let me just start off about the parking… IT SUCKS. The directions to get to the parking… website is no help. The signs and kid you not says «turn right at the next 7 lights». The idiots directing the traffic need to go back to school. With little ones in tow research and figure out the best way to park because if you park on campus you might be a mile away and guarantee one of the directions you will be walking up hill. The arena itself is great… all the seats are great even in the $ 25 reserved nose bleed sections. Just research a little more on parking and expect to see signs like…“turn left at third light” and then you see more parking signs going every which way if you don’t turn left at that third light.

The best part about this venue is that it actually feels like a collegiate building. Many schools have gone to monstrosities or share their facilities with pro teams (like NCSU and the RBC Center), but this truly feels like a school gym, albeit a big one. Of course the Carolina blue paint is everywhere, but the banners and all the team photos hung around the concourse make it authentic! I don’t even care much for basketball, but this is a must see for any sports fan.

I find it shocking that this is an option of places to review!
The Dean Dome is a Tar Heel treasure. It’s a beacon on top of a little hill and really lights up on game days. The energy in the place is great and a Tar Heel crowd is a great crowd. Carolina Basketball fans, especially those that would venture to the Dean Dome for games, are supportive of their team through thick and thin. You’ll find very few bad losers which is a bonus.
It’s also a very beautiful venue. The lights, the Carolina Blue of both the infrastructure and the fans, the jerseys and banners in the rafters. Also I’ve found it to be very clean for a sports venue, especially the bathrooms which is shocking for a stadium.
One thing though is don’t get seats that are high up if you have vertigo or a very extreme fear of heights. I’ve had seats at literally the highest level of the dean dome touching the ceiling before and trust me it’s high, and the stairs are honestly quite steep.
My favorite experience at the Dean Dome however is probably giving blood at the annual Carolina Blood Drive in the summer. Giving blood right on the court of the Dean Dome while staring up at the rafters? Any Tar Heel fan will enjoy it, I promise. Look into it if you’ve never heard of it before :)

A great venue to catch a basketball game!
The building itself is great… but the thing that really separated it from other stadiums that I have been to was the people. Maybe it’s due to the fact that no alcohol is served on premises, but there weren’t any drunken belligerent idiots like you will find at most other sporting venues. Everybody was just having a great time rooting on their Heels! There were a couple people rooting for the away team in my section. No spilled drinks or nasty shouts were thrown their way.
I hope that I get the chance to visit the Dean Dome again! Highly recommend!

TAR!
HEELS!
TAR!
HEELS!
The Dean Dome is a great venue for basketball. A celebration of UNC history, coupled with an insane student section. We may not have anyone in speedos, or rotund gentlemen in Disney costumes (see
), but the Dean Dome has style, food, and seating that makes every game enjoyable.