Petersen Events Center
Petersen Events Center, known as “The Pete”, is a basketball arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Panthers (ACC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 2002, making it 24 years old in 2026 and seats 12,508 for basketball. It ranks 7th of 18 in the ACC by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is Rocket Arena in Cleveland, about 114 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Home of
- Pittsburgh Panthers
- School
- University of Pittsburgh
- Conference
- ACC
- Opened
- 2002
- Capacity
- 12,508
- Nickname
- The Pete
- Also home to
- Pittsburgh Xplosion (CBA, 2006–2008, former)
- Size rank in D-I
- 49th of 360
Famous games at Petersen Events Center
- Nov. 23, 2002: Pitt opens the Pete with an 82-67 win over city rival Duquesne in its first men's game in the building.
- March 7, 2009: No. 3 Pitt beats No. 1 UConn 70-60 behind Sam Young's 31 points, the program's first home win over a top-ranked team, finishing 19-0 at home.
- Jan. 27, 2014: No. 17 Duke wins 80-65 in its first visit as an ACC rival, before an arena-record crowd of 12,944.
- Feb. 12, 2014: Tyler Ennis hits a buzzer-beating three as No. 1 Syracuse edges Pitt 58-56, the first top-five team ever to win at the Pete.
Game night
Tradition. The courtside student section, the "Oakland Zoo," sits across from the benches and wears gold Oakland Zoo shirts.
Seating & views at Petersen Events Center
The Pete seats 12,508 for basketball in a bowl with a lower level and an upper level. It has 18 luxury suites, including five courtside suites and a 193-seat SuperSuite. The Oakland Zoo, Pitt's student section, fills the courtside seats directly across from the team benches; Sports Illustrated's 2006 Big East player poll named the Pete the toughest place to play. Upper-level seats are the budget option and still look straight down on the floor.
Parking & tailgating at Petersen Events Center
The arena sits on the hill above Pitt's Oakland campus. The venue recommends the OC Lot on Allequippa Street, the Towerview Lot, the Public Health (PG) Garage on O'Hara Street and the Soldiers and Sailors Garage on Bigelow Boulevard. The BioScience Tower Garage on Terrace Street is the closest garage for accessible parking. Drop-off and pick-up is at the main lobby entrance on Terrace Street, and several Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes serve Oakland.
Plan your trip to Petersen Events Center
Arenas near Petersen Events Center10
- 1D-IUPMC Cooper Fieldhouse — Duquesne Dukes same city
- 2D-IUPMC Events Center — Robert Morris Colonials 11 mi
- 3D-IWVU Coliseum — West Virginia Mountaineers 56 mi
- 4D-IBeeghly Center — Youngstown State Penguins 57 mi
- 5D-IMemorial Athletic and Convocation Center — Kent State Golden Flashes 86 mi
- 6D-IJames A. Rhodes Arena — Akron Zips 91 mi
- 7NBARocket Arena — Cleveland Cavaliers 114 mi
- 8D-IWolstein Center — Cleveland State Vikings 114 mi
- 9G LeaguePublic Hall — Cleveland Charge 115 mi
- 10D-IBryce Jordan Center — Penn State Nittany Lions 115 mi
Questions about Petersen Events Center
Where do the Pittsburgh Panthers play home games?
The Pittsburgh Panthers play at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
How many people does Petersen Events Center hold?
Petersen Events Center seats 12,508 for basketball.
When did Petersen Events Center open?
Petersen Events Center opened in 2002.
What is Petersen Events Center’s nickname?
Petersen Events Center is known as “The Pete.”
What other arenas are near Petersen Events Center?
UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse is also in Pittsburgh. 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.