Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center is a basketball arena in Notre Dame, Indiana, home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (ACC, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1968, making it 58 years old in 2026 and seats 9,149 for basketball. It ranks 12th of 18 in the ACC by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is United Center in Chicago, about 75 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Notre Dame, Indiana
- Home of
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- School
- University of Notre Dame
- Conference
- ACC
- Opened
- 1968
- Capacity
- 9,149
- Former names
- Athletic & Convocation Center (1968–1987)
- Also home to
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball
Notre Dame Fighting Irish volleyball - Size rank in D-I
- 111th of 360
Famous games at Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
- Jan. 23, 1971: Austin Carr scores 46 as Notre Dame beats No. 1 UCLA 89-82, the Bruins' only loss of the season.
- Jan. 19, 1974: Dwight Clay's late corner jumper caps a rally from 11 down in the last 3:32 as Notre Dame ends UCLA's 88-game winning streak, 71-70.
- Jan. 21, 2012: Notre Dame hands unbeaten No. 1 Syracuse its first loss of the season, 67-58.
- Feb. 9, 2013: Notre Dame outlasts No. 11 Louisville 104-101 in five overtimes, the longest regular-season game in Big East history.
- Feb. 6, 2016: Notre Dame rallies from 15 down in the first half to beat No. 2 North Carolina 80-76.
Seating & views at Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
Purcell Pavilion is the basketball arena inside the south dome of the Joyce Center. A $26.3 million renovation that opened in 2009 replaced the old bleachers with 9,149 blue chairback seats, down from about 11,400, and added Club Naimoli, a 16,500-square-foot club at the top of the south side. A center-hung video board went up in 2010. The bowl is compact, so most seats feel close, and the student section sits behind a basket.
Parking & tailgating at Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
Parking for Irish basketball has been free in recent seasons, with most fans using the lots on the south and north sides of the Joyce Center, reached from Edison Road to the south and Bulla Road to the north. The Library lot north of the building is another option. Accessible parking is in the Joyce and Library lots on a first-come basis. Eddy Street Commons, just south of campus, has a garage and restaurants within walking distance.
Plan your trip to Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
Arenas near Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center10
- 1D-IAthletics–Recreation Center — Valparaiso Beacons 46 mi
- 2D-IUniversity Arena — Western Michigan Broncos 53 mi
- 3D-IHilliard Gates Sports Center — Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 72 mi
- 4NBAUnited Center — Chicago Bulls 75 mi
- 5D-IJoseph J. Gentile Arena — Loyola Chicago Ramblers 75 mi
- 6D-IWintrust Arena — DePaul Blue Demons 75 mi
- 7D-ICredit Union 1 Arena — UIC Flames 75 mi
- 8D-IEmil and Patricia Jones Convocation Center — Chicago State Cougars 75 mi
- 9D-IWelsh–Ryan Arena — Northwestern Wildcats 79 mi
- 10G LeagueVan Andel Arena — Grand Rapids Gold 92 mi
Questions about Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center
Where do the Notre Dame Fighting Irish play home games?
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish play at Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center in Notre Dame, Indiana.
How many people does Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center hold?
Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center seats 9,149 for basketball.
When did Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center open?
Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center opened in 1968.
What other arenas are near Purcell Pavilion at Edmund P. Joyce Center?
Athletics–Recreation Center in Valparaiso is about 46 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.