Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, known as “O'Dome”, is a basketball arena in Gainesville, Florida, home of the Florida Gators (SEC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1980, making it 46 years old in 2026 and seats 10,500 for basketball. It ranks 14th of 16 in the SEC by capacity.
Its record crowd is 12,633 vs. Kentucky (2011). The closest NBA arena is Kia Center in Orlando, about 101 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Gainesville, Florida
- Home of
- Florida Gators
- School
- University of Florida
- Conference
- SEC
- Opened
- 1980
- Capacity
- 10,500
- Nickname
- O'Dome
- Former names
- Stephen C. O'Connell Student Activities Center (1980)
O'Connell Center (1980–2016) - Record crowd
- 12,633 vs. Kentucky (2011)
- Also home to
- Florida women's basketball
Florida women's gymnastics
Florida swimming and diving
Florida volleyball - Size rank in D-I
- 79th of 360
Famous games at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
- Dec. 30, 1980: Florida's men played the first event in the new O'Connell Center, which was formally dedicated the following month.
- Dec. 23, 2006: No. 5 Florida routed No. 3 Ohio State 86-60 before a then-record 12,621, a preview of that season's national title game.
- Feb. 5, 2011: Florida beat No. 11 Kentucky 70-68 before 12,633 fans, the largest crowd in building history.
- Feb. 19, 2022: Florida upset No. 2 Auburn before 11,255 paid fans, a record for the renovated arena.
Game night
Tradition. The Rowdy Reptiles student section helps make the O'Dome one of college basketball's toughest venues, once dubbed the "House of Horrors."
Seating & views at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
The O'Dome was gutted to its foundation and rebuilt in 2016 in a $64.5 million project, reopening that December with a new seating bowl, a luxury club, box seats and a center-hung video board. Capacity dropped from 12,050 to 10,500, which keeps fans close to the floor. The Rowdy Reptiles student section drives the noise that led ESPN The Magazine to dub the place the House of Horrors in 1999.
Parking & tailgating at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
The O'Connell Center was built on a former parking lot across from Florida Field, and its grand entrance faces Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, so basketball parking uses the same campus lots and garages around the stadium. Florida Athletics publishes game-day parking details, including any permit or pre-paid requirements, on its website and app each season. Arrive early on big SEC nights.
Plan your trip to Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Arenas near Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center10
- 1D-ISwisher Gymnasium — Jacksonville Dolphins 61 mi
- 2D-IUNF Arena — North Florida Ospreys 61 mi
- 3D-IEdmunds Center — Stetson Hatters 77 mi
- 4D-IMoore Gymnasium — Bethune–Cookman Wildcats 86 mi
- 5NBAKia Center — Orlando Magic 101 mi
- 6D-IAddition Financial Arena — UCF Knights 101 mi
- 7G LeagueSilver Spurs Arena — Osceola Magic 110 mi
- 8D-IYuengling Center — South Florida Bulls 119 mi
- 9D-IDonald L. Tucker Civic Center — Florida State Seminoles 127 mi
- 10D-IAl Lawson Center — Florida A&M Rattlers 127 mi
Questions about Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Where do the Florida Gators play home games?
The Florida Gators play at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida.
How many people does Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center hold?
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center seats 10,500 for basketball.
When did Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center open?
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center opened in 1980.
What is Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center’s nickname?
Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is known as “O'Dome.”
What is the attendance record at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center?
The record crowd at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center is 12,633 vs. Kentucky (2011).
What other arenas are near Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center?
Swisher Gymnasium in Jacksonville is about 61 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.