Dean E. Smith Center

300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA

Address:	300 Skipper Bowles Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA
Phone:	+1 919-962-7777
Site:	goheels.com
Rating:	4.7

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 22

Richard Flye

Ive been to so many games in the historic Dean Smith Center that I dont know how many Ive actually attended. The place doesnt have a bad seat in the house, parking or getting to the stadium is well organized, the teams and coaches are amount the greatest of all time, & the university itself is not just one of the top institutions in the country but in the world. With all this going for the place you would think the fans would be loud and proud but they are as far from that as Ive seen a college stadium. Roy Williams even complains about the fans. You would also assume such an educated group would know basketball and cheer and complain accordingly. This is also far from the truth. Its seems the only thing most in the Dean Dome are educated on is booing when a call didnt go their way or if they think they re being cheated. Its very sad this place and its fan base has lost one of its great assets in a phenomenal atmosphere. I do hope they can get it back one day. The staff that runs the place is very friendly. The only downfall would be the fans. Give me 1k seats w a rowdy and educated fan base and Ill give them 5 stars.

Ben Selvage

The atmosphere in the Dean Dome is awesome. This basketball arena is larger than all NBA arenas with the exception of the Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit Pistons). The Dean Dome is built in the same fashion as Michigan Stadium (The Big House) as it is built into the side of a hill so it is much bigger than it looks from the outside. There is no jumbotron which is a little tough if your in the nosebleeds b/c this place is so massive. There may not be a pro basketball team in the Triangle area, but UNC is darn close. Even when it comes to ticket pricing. Tickets for conference tilts are notoriously hard to acquire at reasonable prices but then again, this is a top notch program. It is alway circus when trying to leave at the end of the game too as the arena is in the middle of campus with about 3.5-5 miles of two lane roads to navigate with 20,000 other fans. Unless you are familiar with backroads and alternate exits, of course. Overall, its a great experience.

Jesse Wojdylo

I have been to the Smith Center quite a bit in the last six months and it fulfills all the needs of a college basketball facility. The only thing I do not like is the fact that the big screen/jumbotron is not in the middle of the court. Honestly, they could do a lot to improve the jumbotron situation at the Smith Center. The ChickFilA Chicken Sandwiches are also a little bit expensive. In fact, the last game I was at they didnt even have chicken sandwiches in the first half.

Jordan Burleson

One of the best college basketball experiences you can have. This basketball arena has a wonderful history and legacy in the rafters with names like Jordan, Worthy and Ford. You can sometimes even glimpse players and coaches before the game and this place has updated screens and lights galore to make your game feel more like a show. Check out the UNC Basketball Museum as well right next door which helps you relive all the great moments from seasons past.

Shaked Bar-Tal

I was in the Dean Dome for the first time in my life On this Saturday March 10th to broadcast the NCHASS championship game. The arena when you first walk inside it feels like you are in an NBA arena. What surprise me a bit is that the seats in the Dean Dome are not light blue as they appear on the Television. As far parking wise there was plenty of parking space available waiting 2 minutes walk of the main arena entrance so that was a big place for us.

Brian Naess

Its getting old, but if you love the Tar Heels, its the center of the universe. So many banners, so much history. It gets LOUD in there! Like all sports complexes, the food is pretty bad and really expensive. No beer. The Tar Heel shuttle is a good way to get there, but its cheaper to park on campus if you have more than two people.

Scott Watkins

Best college basketball arena in the USA. Seats over twenty two thousand people. Most all of the seats have good sight lines. Built in 1985 its a large facility but without the private suites so the seats are closer and lower than in many of the newer facilities. Good food selection, merchandise store on-site.

Jason Camis

Nice stadium experience. Clean, comfortable and quality viewing from all over. Super friendly staff. Biggest disappointment was the fans. Team is up 20+ and they were booing and complaining at every call. Just not a fun atmosphere, especially compared to watching a game at Cameron Indoor on the same day.

Alec Mercolino

Objectively the best stadium in college hoops. One small drawback: a good deal of the old folks complain if you stand up in front of them during intense stretches of play. You should definitely go if you get the chance, and check out the basketball museum two doors over!

Robert V. Ruggiero

My home. The epicenter for Carolina Basketball. The epicenter for College Basketball. Great experience to see a game. Just wish the students were better represented, wish the experience was built around the students who make the university what it is.

Elmer Cruz

Las sillas estan muy pegadas y el espacio es muy pequeño. El equipo es bueno pero el auditorio es malo.

Tyler Bennett

The dankest and most historic college basketball arena in my opinion. The venue is huge and it is amazing to see the championship banners and the retired Jordan jersey. Definitely come if you get the chance.

Ryan Thomas

Historic arena that I loved to attend. The only downfall is how close the rows and seats are to each other compared to other arenas. You dont have much room and your knees hangover to the row under you.

Michael Hardy

TAR! HEELS! TAR! HEELS! Im from Colorado and visited this place for my first ever UNC game and I was NOT disappointed! What a fabulous venue to watch one of college basketballs greatest programs!

Jackie Cannon

Went for granddaughters graduation, seating was comfortable. Parking was handled well by staff or volunteers. Long way to walk unless handicapped. Nice stadium and sound system very good.

Pete Procopio

A great place to watch sports and other entertainment. Dont let the "Dome" name fool you. This is a cozy venue with a "field house" feel more than a "huge stadium" feel.

Melissa Moore Albert

One of the best basketball venues in the country. If you love basketball like I do, you must check it out at least once, even if youre not a Tarheel fan. Its nostalgic.

Victor Elia

Six or seven star worthy. Not a bad view from any seat, even all the way in the back. The atmosphere in here is electric. History made every day.

Reagan Toal

Overpriced food, but the games themselves are amazing. The atmosphere just gets to be absolutely incredible when the boys are on the court!!

Jake Cochran

Great large stadium to see one of the annually top teams in the country play. But please, anyone that comes here, yell just ten bumps louder.

Wendy Brooks

Experiencing a ACC College Basketball Game here was the experience of a lifetime! Definitely will be back! #TarheelFan4Life #GoHeels #GoUNC

Rebecca D

Nice place to watch football games or attend the fireworks display on Fourth of July. Parking and traffic on game days is terrible though.